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Booster Shot
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Business New Haven
12/14/1998
By: BNH
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Recently, a rather skeptical political observer confided that what he liked about Business New Haven was that, unlike many other newspapers and business publications, we “couldn't be counted on.” That made us a little nervous, understandably, until he added that he meant we couldn't be “counted on” to be a booster for projects backed by government, community leaders and/or the business establishment.
His remarks were quite timely. We had just published what we ourselves imagined that some might consider a “negative” editorial in our November 16th edition, “In Search of Excellence.” In it we questioned a host of efforts past and present in greater New Haven, each with a profoundly powerful constituency. We did indeed wonder whether it would mean the end of the few invitations to parties we still get.
To make matters even more sensitive, New Haven Mayor John DeStefano Jr. had just polished one of the grandest and controversial proposals in recent memory (tying the proposed Long Wharf mall and downtown development together) just as our printer was bundling the issues to the post office. We thought, well, we guessed our otherwise warm mayoral relations were about to heat up yet some more.
As we prepared to defend ourselves, we reminded ourselves that we do in truth consider BNH to be among the region's biggest boosters. In almost every issue we have found and highlighted entrepreneurs, organizations, even government programs that we offered as heroes, worthwhile exemplars or simple successes.
This was before the latest litmus test of boosterism was thrust upon every we-want-to-be-positive businessperson in Connecticut, the new vow of Patriotism.
We are fans of football (the Patriots in particular), fans of Gov. John Rowland, fans of urban development and probably, when all is said and done, will sign up for our own “club” seats.
But we are truly disheartened by how the “boosters” are carrying the day with the fanaticism of Ayatollah Khomeini and his followers, holding all other development and business issues hostage to support for the Hartford football stadium. The statewide frenzy to make this happen to make sure Massachusetts can't counterattack - regardless of the costs - is simply too much support to ask business to endure.
Why else do we see boosting for the stadium proposal from Fairfield County legislators and the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce, among others? How, we wonder, will the Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA) continue to advocate for lower unemployment and reduced corporate taxes when supporting what even many state football fans recognize as corporate welfare?
Gov. Rowland likes to say that if you haven't risked anything, you can't expect much return. We agree. But that's the role of entrepreneurs. And entrepreneurs can be “boosted” quite effectively with lower taxes, lower business costs and a better educated workforce - not with a lot of balderdash about how football will keep young people in the state, as CBIA President Ken Decko was moved to say.
Remember: “It's the economy, stupid.”
Our colleagues in the media have been mostly unwilling to challenge the boosters. The Hartford Courant (a wannabe major-leaguer if there ever was one) hasn't yet found a taxpayer-supported economic-development proposal it didn't like. The New Haven Register hasn't found one in Hartford that it likes, but when there are ad pages at stake (read: the Long Wharf mall) count them in for taxpayer subsidies.
By the time you read this the boosters, with the help of the legislature, will likely have placed another huge yoke on the back of Connecticut's taxpayers - and, at the same time, cemented in place the state's income, sales and business taxes at present levels for years to come.
That's what being a booster gets you.
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