Senator Kissel, Lt. Governor Fedele Host Business Roundtable with CONNSTEP

Harford, CT- State Senator John A. Kissel (R-Enfield), Lieutenant Governor Michael Fedele, and CONNSTEP today hosted a business roundtable at Worldcolor in Enfield. CONNSTEP is a 501(c)(3) organization that offers consulting to small and midsize Connecticut manufacturing companies on how to compete and grow profitably. A number of area manufactures attended the event to share their concerns about doing business in Connecticut. Senator Kissel and Lt. Governor Fedele both spoke about the need to cut spending and be proactive in attracting and retaining businesses in Connecticut.

“Today’s meeting brought home the point for me that we are not doing enough for our businesses,” said Sen. Kissel. “I heard from a number of folks who are just keeping their heads above water due in part to the state of our economy, but largely because of Connecticut’s anti-business policies. I am committed to working with my colleagues in the General Assembly to pass legislation that will be good for businesses and good for Connecticut. While the majority has taken steps to raise taxes and increase spending that I disagree with, they have embraced an number of our pro-jobs proposals, such as eliminating the business entity tax and creating a small business revolving loan fund.”

“This morning’s business event with Senator Kissel at Worldcolor was another opportunity for me to hear the concerns of manufacturers,” said Lieutenant Governor Michael Fedele. “I hear repeatedly from employers that Connecticut is not a business friendly state—events like this offer employers a forum to voice their concerns and state leaders to listen. That being said, it’s also time for the Legislature to stop penalizing employers with mandates, business taxes and other ridiculous laws that don’t allow the business sector to grow jobs. I look forward to more events like this.”

In addition to hearing from business owners about the challenges they face everyday trying to make ends meet, attendees toured Worldcolor’s plant. Following the tour, there was also a question and answer period where employees of Worldcolor asked Sen. Kissel questions ranging from the new Federal Healthcare bill to tolls on I-91.

The following individuals were in attendance at the meeting:

Clifford Daigle of Daigle Welding; Mark Vecchiarelli, President of Yankee Casting; Tim Vecchiarelli, Vice President of Yankee Casting; Martin Seifert, President of Nufern; Brian Galer of HID Global, Sean Sullivan of Design Automation Associates; Krys Paluch, President of Phoenix Manufacturing; Mark DiLorenzo of Phoenix Manufacturing; Tim Potrikus of Liturgical Publications; George Gergely of Vortex Manufacturing Company; Ron Amarante, Steve Grech, Jo Anne Mattern, Paul Maniscalchi, Mary Sikand, and Gary Mayzel all of Worldcolor; and Tom Southworth, Bonnie Del Conte, and Rebecca Kane Dow of CONNSTEP.