Every time I host a meeting with constituents at a local ice cream parlor or coffee shop, I am reminded that small businesses are the lifeblood of our community. As someone who started a local catering business, I know the risks and challenges involved. I’m proud of the progress we made in the last few years in improving conditions for CT’s businesses, large and small. 

By dramatically improving our fiscal health through years of balanced budgets, pension debt reduction, and adhering to recently renewed fiscal guardrails, our state is now recognized as a premier destination for businesses.  

Over 100,000 new jobs have been created in Connecticut and $100 billion invested by the private sector especially in strategic segments like aerospace, biotech, financial services, and renewable energy. Credit agencies are taking notice. In May, Moody’s and Fitch both upgraded CT’s bond ratings. The state has committed $100 million to the Connecticut Small Business Boost Fund to provide entrepreneurs, especially women and people of color, with access to the financial capital they need to get their business off the ground.

And in the last two sessions we passed several bills to help small businesses including:

• Cutting the number of reporting requirements; 
• Expanding the JobsCT tax rebate program to increase employment and job creation;
• Cutting business taxes to promote expansion of childcare facilities.

We’re not done. 

In January 2023, Representative Meskers and I held a roundtable discussion with the Women’s Business Development Council. We heard about the difficulty of finding affordable and available childcare, the high cost of insurance, and the need for pipelines to help youth join the workforce. These are policy priorities that I will continue to address. I remain steadfast in my support for small businesses and will continue to push for policies that reduce burdens, foster innovation, and drive economic growth.

If you’d like to join my campaign, I'd love to have you. Volunteer and donate here. And if you can’t spare the time, then just make a note to vote this November. 

Sincerely,