Empowering Connecticut Residents

February 14, 2019

CT Senate Republican Proposals Aim to Remove Barriers to Employment, Enhance Workforce Training, & Reduce Burdens on First-Time Homebuyers

Hartford – Today members of the Connecticut Senate Republican Caucus detailed a group of legislative proposals aimed at empowering state residents to find success in the workforce and build their futures in Connecticut.

The proposals seek to remove barriers to employment, enhance job training and reduce burdens on first-time homebuyers.

The proposals were outlined today by Senate Republicans as the second group of 2019 legislation the caucus is highlighting to improve Connecticut.

“Connecticut has the most talented workforce, the best educational opportunities, and the potential to be a place where all people can find success and propel themselves upward to achieve the American dream,” said Senate Republican Leader Len Fasano. “However, we can and should do more to empower people to be successful in the workforce and provide for their families. This includes looking at new ways to support workforce reentry to break the multigenerational cycle of poverty. Today Republicans are highlighting proposals to expand access to child care and temporary assistance to help families transition back into the workforce. We are also encouraging the state to enhance workforce training programs and make it easier for young families to purchase their first homes and build their futures in Connecticut.”

Republican proposals highlighted today include the following.

Senate GOP press conference empower residents, job training, removing barriers to employment, encourage first time home ownership

Remove Barriers to Employment

S.B. 294 AN ACT EXTENDING TEMPORARY FAMILY ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS TO ENCOURAGE EMPLOYMENT.

  • This proposal would encourage recipients of temporary family assistance to obtain employment.
  • Recipients of TANF often are faced with a significant challenge when reentering the workforce. While a job provides long-term benefits, upon taking a job their families lose state benefits quickly creating a difficult transition period.
  • Such a system leaves people feeling trapped. If they take a job their family could suffer from an immediate loss of benefits. But if they remain unemployed they can’t ever climb up and out of the system.
  • By extending certain benefits for a time up to a year after a person obtains employment the state can encourage more people to take the step toward employment and reduce the fear that their families will suffer while they become established in the workforce.

S.B. 290 AN ACT CONCERNING CHILD CARE SUBSIDIES FOR WORKING PARENTS.

  • Currently, the income limit for new families applying for Care 4 Kids must be less than 50% of the state median income.
  • This bill will expand eligibility for child care subsidies to working parents whose incomes exceed 50% but not 75% of state-wide median income.
  • Will allow more parents to reenter the workforce by providing reliable child care for their children.

Enhance Workforce Training

S.B. 685 AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE APPRENTICESHIP AND EMPLOYMENT RECRUITMENT AUTHORITY.

  • Would establish a public-private partnership to work on apprenticeships and employment recruitment opportunities. Modeled on the Connecticut Manufacturing Committee.

S.B. 356 AN ACT REQUIRING A STUDY CONCERNING GERMANY’S APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING PROGRAM.

  • To pursue alternative apprenticeship models to encourage growth in the manufacturing talent pipeline in the state. Would look at German and Swiss models.

S.B. 242 AN ACT EXTENDING THE MANUFACTURING APPRENTICESHIP TAX CREDIT TO PASS-THROUGH ENTITIES.

  • To increase the number of apprenticeship opportunities in the state.

S.B. 275 AN ACT CONCERNING WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ISSUES AT PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION RELATED TO THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY.

  • As the Insurance Capital, Connecticut should work to ensure that public institutions of higher education are meeting the workforce needs of the insurance industry.
  • Requires the Board of Regents for Higher Education and the Board of Trustees of The University of Connecticut conduct a study of workforce development issues with regard to the insurance industry at public institutions of higher education within their jurisdiction.

Encourage Self-Investment

S.B. 602 AN ACT ESTABLISHING A CREDIT AGAINST THE PERSONAL INCOME TAX FOR CERTAIN FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS.

  • Would establish a credit against the personal income tax for certain first-time homebuyers.
    Proposed credit would be up to two thousand dollars against the personal income tax for first-time homebuyers who have deposited funds in a restricted account to be used for the purchase of a first home.
  • Would encourage home ownership and help people build their futures here in Connecticut.

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