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Can the Growth Continue?
CTC asks lawmakers to focus on image, education
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Business New Haven
1/24/2000
By: BNH
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The Connecticut Technology Council (CTC), a business association of technology-based companies, has drafted a public-policy agenda that urges state legislators during the next session to concentrate on three areas: image, the business climate and incentives, and education and workforce development.
"The 2000 agenda is focused on one global question: How can Connecticut sustain its economic growth in the new economy?" asks Al Sublime, CEO of Information Management Associates in Shelton and CTC chairman.
The agenda calls for accelerated state support for initiatives that contribute to the state's technology strengths. It also calls for the state to better market Connecticut's K-12 educational strengths.
"The refrain from companies, when asked how state government can make Connecticut more competitive, is 'Better market the state,'" says CTC Executive Director Laura Kent. "The state needs to commit to a sustained effort that will allow companies to attract key personnel to the state. This includes highlighting the widespread K-12 educational strengths of the state - a key element in attracting technology executives and workers."
The CTC agenda likewise urges state legislators to provide incentives for the development of "smart" buildings, and to continue the expansion of tax credits for R&D performed in the state.
"Much of the agenda in this area does not require explicit legislative action," notes Steve Clement, the CTC's director of government affairs. "We'd like to see a renewed focus on entrepreneurial companies from state government, the continuation of the good work in the cluster initiative and, above all, for state government to resist destroying the progress Connecticut has made by legislating corporate responsibility or anti-competitive taxes for technology companies."
The CTC's focus on education and workforce development comes because "There is a crisis in technology-based workforce development in the U.S., and the region that moves fastest to solve their workforce problem will enjoy a considerable competitive advantage," explains Subbloie.
Specifically, the CTC agenda urges the legislature to enact two measures aimed at stemming the flow of technology-trained graduates from Connecticut. The "G.I. Bill for Technology" offers students meeting certain requirements scholarships to attend Connecticut colleges and universities with an agreement to go to work in state-based technology companies following graduation. If a student fails to comply with the requirements, the scholarship reverts to a loan.
Secondly, the technology group asks the legislature to maintain funding for existing scholarship programs that encourage Connecticut students to attend college in the state.
"We are aware of the intense budgetary pressures on the General Assembly this session," says Kent. "But it is our hope that the General Assembly will make the investments necessary to grow technology in Connecticut throughout the next decade, and 'fix the roof while the sun is shining.'"
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