Pro-Business Measure Backed by Sen. Linares and Rep. Ziobron Signed Into Law

A proposal co-sponsored by Sen. Art Linares and Rep. Melissa Ziobron which expands the state’s manufacturing apprenticeship tax credit has been signed into law

A proposal co-sponsored by Sen. Art Linares and Rep. Melissa Ziobron which expands the state’s manufacturing apprenticeship tax credit has been signed into law.

The new law increases from $ 4 to $ 6 per hour the corporation business tax credit for hiring apprentices in the manufacturing trades. It also raises the annual cap on the total amount of credit a business can claim for this purpose, from $4,800 or 50% of the actual apprentice wages, to $7,500 or 50 % of such wages.

The law takes effect July 1, 2015 and will be applicable to income years beginning on or after January 1, 2015.

“Each manufacturing job in Connecticut creates 1.5 to 4 additional jobs in other parts of the state’s economy,” Sen. Linares said. “I have toured manufacturers in Chester, Colchester, Essex, Old Saybrook, Portland and Westbrook. Business owners often say they would hire new workers if they could only find people who were qualified to do the work. This new law is in direct response to those concerns. It aims to get more people trained and qualified for those available jobs.”

“We need to listen closely to what area businesses are telling us,” Rep. Ziobron said. “Employers don’t want to hear talk – they want to see action up in Hartford at the State Capitol This law will help us create jobs and send a positive message to manufacturers across our state. We will continue our outreach to the state’s manufacturers to more effectively support and help them grow in today’s global market.”

By law, unchanged by the bill, the period for claiming the credit depends on whether the apprenticeship is for two or four years. The period is the first year for two-year apprenticeship programs and three years for four-year programs. Such programs must be certified by the labor commissioner and registered with the Connecticut State Apprenticeship Council.

Sen. Linares can be reached at [email protected] or at 800-842 1421. He represents Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Lyme, Old Saybrook, Portland, and Westbrook.

Rep. Ziobron can be reached at [email protected] or at 800-842 1423. She represents East Haddam, East Hampton and Colchester.