BUSINESS DAY IN HARTFORD BRINGS CONCERNS TO LAWMAKERS FRONT DOOR
HARTFORD (March 9, 2016): The National Federation of
Independent Business (NFIB) participated in “Business Day” at the
Capitol this morning. Gov. Malloy addressed the crowd and focused his
remarks on the need to invest in small businesses and also focused on the
reality of state finances. Hearing him say that things need to change was
certainly a welcome relief as was his communication that the state’s budget be
based on actual revenues as opposed to the past practice of spending without
regard for balancing the books.
“It was certainly interesting to see that the click polling
technology used today demonstrated that an overwhelming 91% of attendees don’t
believe members of the legislature understand the challenges of running a
business in Connecticut,” according to NFIB Connecticut state director, Andrew
Markowski. “But then again, with legislators sometimes more focused on
legislation that costs employers time and money rather than ways to improve our
economic environment, it’s no wonder the business community sometimes feels
their needs are falling on tone deaf ears.”
Markowski will also participate in a press conference
later today in an effort to show unity and collaboration among the business
community to address issues of state finances and mandates impacting the price
of maintaining a small business.
NFIB Leadership Council Chairman Kevin Maloney, who is
also the owner of owner of Northeast Express Transportation Inc. of Windsor
Locks is participating in today’s activities along with several other NFIB
Leadership Council members in an attempt to shed light on the plight of being a
small business owner in a state like Connecticut.
“It’s certainly difficult to step away from my business
for the day but I believe that it’s imperative that I be here today so that
lawmakers can hear directly from small business owners like myself,” said
Maloney. “They need to understand that creating new government programs and
imposing mandates like increasing wages and dictating employee time off can
have consequences that are detrimental to both employer and employee
alike.”