Sen. Welch Joining Bipartisan “Manufacturing Caucus” at State Capitol

Bristol State Sen. Jason Welch (left) and State Rep. Whit Betts (center) listen to Bauer Inc. President and CEO Lou Auletta, Jr. during a 2011 roundtable discussion to examine the needs of local manufacturers. Welch has joined a newly formed group of Democrats and Republicans which will educate lawmakers on the value of manufacturing in the state.

State Sen. Jason Welch (R-Bristol) today announced he will be participating in a new, bipartisan group which will educate lawmakers on the value of manufacturing in the state.

Members of the “Manufacturing Caucus” will meet regularly to discuss the consequences that new legislation may have on manufacturing and job creation.

“The message I clearly hear in Bristol, Plainville, Harwinton and Plymouth is: ‘Whatever you do in Hartford, don’t make the manufacturing environment worse than it already is,’” Sen. Welch said. “There are far too many hurdles for local manufacturers in Connecticut. We need to reduce the costs of job creation and job retention. We need to pass bills which show that this state is open for business.”

“We have a long way to go and a lot we need to accomplish, but it all starts with bipartisan groups like this one,” Sen. Welch said. “The line of communications between government and business need to be open. The same holds true for elected officials on both sides of the political aisle. We all share common interests and goals for our state economy. We want to grow Connecticut manufacturing jobs. Let’s build on that. We need to work together to create a climate which allows them to thrive. We have the potential to be the ‘right place’ for manufacturing. Through this caucus, we can make a lot of progress in solving the problems that we hear about from manufacturers.”

According to a Connecticut Industrial Energy Consumers report, manufacturing contributed $25.9 billion to the gross state product and accounts for about 11.4 percent of the state’s total employment.

“We all believe manufacturing is making a comeback in Connecticut,” Sen. Welch said. “Through this group, we can add a big dose of common sense to policy-making in our state. We can make manufacturing the vibrant growth industry it should be. I’m optimistic.”