While the budget deficit is derailing the small business tax credit, and the rail yard debacle is being punted, the Connecticut state senators have, in a 20-16 vote, proved that they have lost touch with how small businesses really work. They of course think that they have passed a sick leave bill that protects the worker from something. The essential protection, that any Connecticut employer who employs over 50, must provide 6.5 days of paid sick days. Connecticut would be the first state enacting such a law, if it passes the House, according to the Courant.

[Read more →]

Yep, now its official, Connecticut is in a budget deficit. Of course, if they had acknowledged factoring unfunded pension liabilities all along, Connecticut has been operating with a budget deficit for years. But details are something Hartford’s government flunkies don’t do all that well. The local impact of the red state phenom below:

The rapidly changing budget landscape has left many local lawmakers frustrated.

State Rep. Christopher Perone, D-Norwalk, had been pushing for the elimination of the annual $250 business entity tax to give small firms a break in a tough economy.

“It doesn’t look good for that,” he said.

[Read more →]

The Cournat is reporting on the new trend in economic development, conducting charettes. Norwalk has already been doing it. See why, the Courant reports:

As “big box” stores and large developments build up in suburbia, local groups in the Farmington Valley are fed up with a land-use approval process that involves the public mostly in the final stages.

So, in a nod to a 19th-century tradition, residents increasingly are raising the idea of holding charrettes — open workshops involving all local stakeholders — to bring development discussions into the public arena much earlier in the process and taking control of the future of their communities.

[Read more →]

Minutes ago House SPeak Jim Amann-D Milford announced his retirement. From the Courant:

Amann told only a handful of aides at about 11:15 a.m., and some of those in the House chamber were unaware of the upcoming announcement when Amann gaveled the chamber to silence.

Amann, a Milford Democrat, noted that legislators would have various announcements at the start of the day before adding, “I also have an announcement myself.”

[Read more →]

The Hour is reporting on the legislative outlook as expressed by varying state legislators at a Norwalk Chamber of Commerce breakfast conference. The views fell along a typical tax less/spend more philosophy.

Asked what value the state’s residents derive by paying high taxes, state Rep. Lawrence Cafero, R-142, Minority Leader, called the tax burden in Connecticut a “sad fact.”

In addition to the amount of taxes paid, Cafero noted that in a ranking by Expansion Management Magazine on the “business friendliness” of the country’s 50 state legislatures, Connecticut ranked last, as well.

[Read more →]

Today The Hour provided two editorials that inspired deep thoughts by Jack Handey moments. The first, wraps a contradiction inside of the enema that must have inspired this line:

The authority has major projects ahead, including the redecking of the Haviland Street lot, a project that will undoubtedly cause disruption and pain for SoNo businesses. They don’t need a spin on that,just give them the facts.

[Read more →]

Sorry for the short notice on this one, but tonight is Earth Hour. Earth Hour is one of those you can make a difference choose your own adventures. In keeping with my philosophy of environmentalism, Earth Hour is an attempt to get people all over the world to turn off the lights. And here’s the youtube clip:

The web site says:

On March 29, 2008 at 8 p.m., join millions of people around the world in making a statement about climate change by turning off your lights for Earth Hour, an event created by the World Wildlife Fund.

[Read more →]

File this under WTF. From the Courant:

Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch says he could raise $9 million by increasing the state sales tax from the current 6 percent to 7 percent. He says Bridgeport’s property taxes cannot yield any more revenue.

Some lawmakers, including Democrats who control the legislature, say they are skeptical. They say a higher sales tax would depress retail business in Connecticut’s cities.

Sen. Eileen Daily, a Westbrook Democrat who co-chairs the legislature’s tax-writing Finance Committee, asked mayors on Monday to explain why city residents could afford increased sales taxes if they already are hard-pressed to pay rising property taxes.

[Read more →]

Interesting article about the development progress Hartford is meeting. From the Courant:

Part of the bet on downtown Hartford’s revival was that young professionals and suburban empty-nesters would migrate into the city’s newly built apartments. Half of that formula has panned out — young people like Healey looking for smaller, less-expensive units and the action of a downtown have come, making it hard to find studio and one-bedroom apartments.

Healey’s building has two-bedroom units to rent right now and nothing else; the waiting list for a studio is 10-deep. At the Lofts at Main and Temple, on the site of the old Sage-Allen building, all of the studios and one-bedrooms are spoken for while four of 19 two-bedrooms are unoccupied.

[Read more →]

Real ID is one of those federal mandates that is unfunded and headed our way. In 2005 Congress passed the Iraq War/Tsunami supplemental funding bill (no hearings) that contained a provision to require existing driver’s license holders will have to apply in person for new licenses in addition to document verification stuff. For example, Connecticut will have to according to the act – verify the “issuance, validity and completeness” of every identity document presented at DMV offices, including birth certificates, social security cards, utility bills, immigration documents, and any other document that is part of the application. Of course we all know that birth certificates are so easily verifiable.

[Read more →]