New Discussion of Business Taxes

Governor Malloy has announced that he's going to meet on the budget and taxes, and that everything is on the table except tax increases.  Even the fact that he's framed it this way should help our business climate.  For too long, people have been pointing to Connecticut as the state that wants to drive corporations and jobs out.  The legislature has often called for business to pay more, even though we are already more expensive than many other states.  Now, finally, maybe thanks to GE threatening (or intending, many posit) to move its headquarters, we're getting somewhere.  Hey guys, we are important to you--you should be nice to us!

State Budget News

If you have not been following our State's attempt to balance its budget, you should.  Tax receipts on April 15th did not turn out to be as robust as the Governor had hoped, and now we either need to raise taxes or cut expenditures.  Either choice will result in bad press for doing business in Connecticut, and make it harder to grow our economy. 


Sometimes people don't realize how important it can be to write, call, or email your State representatives and Senators.  They receive surprisingly few communications directly from constituents, and they take them seriously.  I recently was speaking to a State Senator, who was amazed at my reporting that people were selling their properties and leaving the State because of our high estate tax.  He didn't believe me, actually, but I have the feeling that he will check it out, and find that it's true. What will he do about it?  Maybe think about it the next time tax receipts don't match expectations. 


If you have a specific suggestion, make it.  If you know what would make a difference for you, in hiring, sales, profits, or ownership, say so.  The reverse is also true-what are your biggest problems?  And read the news--you may be glad you are running a business, instead of being Governor!