Creating Opportunities for Growth

February 13, 2019

CT Senate Republican Proposals Aim to Implement Public-Private Partnerships, Reduce Government Costs, Encourage Business Growth & Improve Transportation

Today members of the Senate Republican Caucus detailed a group of legislative proposals aimed at creating opportunities for Connecticut to grow and thrive.

The proposals seek to encourage economic growth, lower the costs of government through public-private partnerships, improve transportation, and create financial stability to foster confidence and investment in Connecticut.

The proposals were outlined today by Senate Republicans as the first group of 2019 legislation the caucus is highlighting to improve Connecticut. More proposals to address other Connecticut issues will be detailed later this week.

“Connecticut is an incredible state. However, we have to do more to create the stability and predictability our families and job creators deserve,” said Senate Republican Leader Len Fasano. “The legislation we are highlighting today creates opportunities for economic growth, financial stability, and reducing the cost of government. By leveraging public-private partnerships we can offer better services at a lower cost and provide more dependable and reliable care for the most vulnerable Connecticut residents. By prioritizing investments in transportation, we can be more competitive with other states and create an environment conducive to economic growth and better quality of life. By encouraging our already strong defense industry to take full advantage of the incredibly skilled individuals and superior products made in our state, we can foster relationships that further expand local business success and job creation.”

Republican proposals highlighted today include the following.

 

Opportunity for Enhanced State Services at Lower Costs

S.B. 291 AN ACT CONCERNING A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL.

  • It’s been shown that private providers can often provide better quality services at a lower cost than the state.
  • This bill promotes public-private partnerships to support the cost-efficient delivery of human services.
  • Would create a public-private partnership advisory council to allow the Commissioners of Social Services, Developmental Services, Children and Families and Mental Health and Addiction Services to contract for the delivery of human services through the council.

S.B. 288 AN ACT CONCERNING A PUBLIC-PRIVATE HUMAN SERVICES PARTNERSHIP.

  • Seeks to improve the cost-effective delivery of human services and make sure such services are given to those in need.
  • Would establish a partnership between state human service agencies and private providers to improve delivery of human services to low-income persons, elderly persons and persons with disabilities.
  • Would reduce the cost of such services and foster fraud investigations to uncover ineligible persons wrongfully receiving public assistance.

S.B. 124 AN ACT ESTABLISHING A TAX DEDUCTION FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO A CITIZENS IN NEED ACCOUNT.

  • Would establish an account to which residents could make charitable contributions.
  • This account, funded by Connecticut residents in exchange for a tax break, would be used to help support core social service programs offered by the Department of Social Services.
  • In exchange for these charitable contributions, residents who contribute would receive a state tax deduction at the rate of 200% of the amount contributed to said account.
  • By allowing resident to deduct for charitable contributions to state social service programs, we can encourage those with the means to do so to contribute directly to core services for the most vulnerable.

H.B. 5762 AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF CONTRACTORS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES.

  • This bill seeks to promote efficiencies by privatizing services currently provided by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
  • Would require the Department of Motor Vehicles to enter into agreements with contractors to further privatize services currently provided by the department.

Opportunity for Economic Growth & Fiscal Stability

S.B. 108 AN ACT ESTABLISHING A BUY CONNECTICUT PROGRAM FOR DEFENSE CONTRACTORS.

  • This bill would create incentives for defense contractors to utilize the services of in-state subcontractors and businesses.
  • Would establish a Buy Connecticut program that provides sales tax exemptions and research and development tax credits to encourage defense contractors to utilize the services of Connecticut job creators.

PRIORITIZE PROGRESS

  • Prioritize Progress is a transportation funding plan that works within current state resources to provide $65 billion for transportation infrastructure projects over the next 30 years.
  • It relies on NO tolls and NO tax increases. It guarantees a steady, predictable flow of funding for transportation infrastructure.
  • Fully implemented, it operates within CT’s new bond cap, borrowing no more than allowed under the cap. It protects bonding for core needs such as school construction and clean water, at the same time it prioritizes transportation investments.
  • Instead of using additional bonding for pet projects and political handouts, this plan requires that all bonding above and beyond the state’s core investment needs must go toward transportation infrastructure projects.

S.B. 717 AN ACT CONCERNING TRANSPORTATION PROJECT PRIORITIZATION.

  • This bill would provide transparency regarding the prioritization of transportation initiatives and projects.
  • Would require the Commissioner of Transportation to submit an annual list of prioritized transportation projects to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation.
  • Will enable the state to further prioritize transportation needs to ensure the most pressing projects get the attention they need.

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