Zupkus Op-Ed: Supporting Families and Small Businesses in Our Community

As we continue to move through this legislative session, it is important that I share information to keep you informed of what’s happening at the State Capitol.

At this time, we are nearing the end of the public hearing process. Any proposals that have been voted out of their respective committees will continue to advance through the legislative process, with the goal of being debated by both chambers of the General Assembly.

Many proposed bills aimed at supporting women and families, including easing tax burdens and helping women return to the workforce, have cleared the committee process. One such bill, HB 5848, establishes a workforce re-entry program for women who made a decision to leave the workforce. The program would include updating knowledge of technology, as well as interviewing skills.  Additionally, a bill which I have co-sponsored, HB 6595, would exempt baby diapers from the 6.35% state sales tax.  Baby diapers are one of many very costly monthly expenses when caring for infants and toddlers.  This bill will provide immediate relief for those families.

Several bills have come before the labor committee or other committees related to the subject matter, which are considered by many to be anti-business proposals. Connecticut continues to demonstrate that it is hostile to business as these proposals do not foster environments conducive to business expansion and economic growth, and which discourage investment due to overreaching state regulations.

A clear example of this is H.B. 6791, which would require employers with 250 or more employees to pay a $15 minimum wage or face an extra tax per hour of work for all employees earning less than that.  This collected tax revenue would go into the General Assembly’s general fund.  Franchisees, which are most chain stores, would also be forced to pay the higher wage.  Many of these small business owners have said repeatedly that it very possibly will lead to a reduction in staff and an increase in their pricing.  Prices on goods and services could also rise because of this. Similarly, S.B. 1044 would require employers with 500 or more employees pay a $15 minimum wage or face the same extra tax.  This tax revenue would go toward supporting an increase in the size of government.

These are only two examples of several pieces of proposed legislation that ties the hands of small businesses in Connecticut, discouraging job growth and the ability to hire people. With a recent Quinnipiac poll released earlier this month reporting that 64% of respondents view the state’s economy as ‘not good or poor’, these are hardly the types of proposals that the General Assembly should be considering. Rather, the legislature should focus on policies that encourage business development and incentivize companies to expand or even relocate into Connecticut, energizing our economy and putting the residents of our state back to work.

A proposed bill that supports this policy is H.B. 6639, which would establish a tax credit for businesses that hire recent graduates of institutions of higher education located in Connecticut.  Similarly, H.B. 5664 would create a ‘Learn Here, Live Here’ program, which helps students save toward a down payment on their first home in Connecticut by segregating a portion of their state income tax payments for up to ten years after they graduate. These are two great examples of proposed bills that engage the youth in our state to invest in Connecticut long-term.

Your input is important to me as your State Representative.  Please do not hesitate to contact me regarding any state or legislative concerns at 800-842-1423 or email Lezlye.Zupkus@housegop.ct.gov.