Boucher, Fasano renew call for special session [Minuteman News]

Article as it appeared on MinutemanNewsCenter.com

State Senator Toni Boucher, R-Wilton, Westport) joined Minority Leader Len Fasano. R-North Haven. in renewing efforts to have Governor Dannel P. Malloy and Majority Legislative Leaders approve a special legislative session aimed at easing the burdens on Connecticut’s business industry.

“Senator Fasano is right when he suggests GE was not bluffing this past June when company officials publically said proposed tax hikes in the state budget were making them ‘seriously consider whether it makes any sense to continue to be located in this state’,” said Boucher.

Boucher points to comments made by GE executive, Jeff Immelt who told reporters last week, “We want to be in some place where people support job creation, which is attractive to talent, good cost of living, and it is supportive in what a high-tech exporter has to be all about.”

Fasano, along with State Senator Tony Hwang, R-Fairfield, wrote to the governor and legislative leaders last month calling for a special session. This week Sen. Fasano renewed his request.

“If you call a special session now, we can send a message together. Not just to GE, but to all businesses, that we are committed to a strong business community. I will come ready and willing to talk about ideas to rework the budget and find a way to relieve the burdens on Connecticut employers,” wrote Fasano.

The Minority Leaders continued their call to undo anti-business policies, “We need to rethink the way our state treats businesses of all sizes. We need to rethink the unitary tax, tax credits and loss carryforwards. We need to rethink how to make Connecticut business friendly and show that state leaders care.”

Boucher maintains that by reacting quickly lawmakers can show they are committed in a bipartisan manner to creating a strong business environment.

Senator Boucher completely agrees with Fasano when he said, “We need to revisit the budget in a special session. Republicans have raised our voices and stood up for change. But the only way to send a strong message is for Democrats to join us and work together in bipartisanship for all of Connecticut’s residents.”

In explaining the impact of GE’s potential move, Fasano stated, “The landslide that is going to come from GE leaving will be measured in billions and in decades. It is something that will be felt by thousands of families and will have a damaging and vast ripple effect across the state for years to come. Our state will see a huge loss in revenue as a result, and less income will have a drastic impact on everything from social services, to transportation, to education. Just as the governor’s budget made devastating cuts to social services this year when faced with limited funds, we will see future desperate budgets struggling to cover costs and cutting from those in need to make up the difference. The loss of a business is about more than just one business. It’s about the chain reaction and the impact on all aspects of a community.”

Like Fasano, Boucher also emphasizes that the negative trickledown effect would be damaging to other businesses and taxpayers alike. “GE spends more than $14 billion a year in the state of Connecticut. This does not even include the income, sales and property taxes each GE employee also pays.”

Boucher is on the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee, Judiciary committee and is Senate Ranking member of the Education and Transportation Committees. Boucher represents the 26th District towns of Bethel, New Canaan, Redding, Ridgefield, Weston, Westport, and Wilton.