Women-Owned Businesses In Strict Abortion States Come To CT: Gov

HARTFORD, CT — Gov. Ned Lamont and Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz are inviting women-owned businesses in Alabama, Georgia and Missouri to Connecticut in the wake of the states moving to severely curtail legal abortions.

"If you are as concerned as we are about this issue, we would urge you to relocate your operations to a state that supports the rights of women and whose actions and laws are unwavering in support of tolerance and inclusivity," Lamont and Bysiewicz wrote in an open joint letter.

Alabama's new law bans nearly all abortions with no exceptions for rape or incest. There is an exception is if a pregnant woman's life is at risk. Doctors who perform an abortion in the state against the law will be subject to up to 99 years in prison. The law goes into effect in six months, but will likely face a court challenge that could delay enforcement.

Georgia's abortion law would ban abortions if a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can happen as early as six weeks. Some women don't know they are even pregnant until after six weeks. It includes exceptions for rape and incest up to 20 weeks into pregnancy. Several dozen Hollywood actors, producers and directors have said they will no longer do business in the state.

Missouri's bill would ban most abortions after eight weeks. Gov. Mike Parson is expected to sign it into law.

Below is the full letter:

Dear Alabama, Georgia and Missouri Women-Owned Businesses,

Your state legislature’s recent decision to severely curb women’s reproductive rights is sending shockwaves across the country, including in the business world. Condemnation of this extreme measure has been swift and calls for corporate boycotts grow stronger by the day.

This is clearly an issue that won't be going away any time soon.

As a staunch supporter of women’s rights, we are appalled at these actions that erode the ability of women to make informed decisions about their health and bodies.

If you are as concerned as we are about this issue, we would urge you to relocate your operations to a state that supports the rights of women and whose actions and laws are unwavering in support of tolerance and inclusivity. In short, I urge you to come to Connecticut.

Our state has a wealth of competitive advantages for your company:

· A highly-skilled workforce, top-ranked in productivity
· Excellent K-12 school systems and world-renowned colleges/universities
· Superior quality of life
· Strategic location between Boston and New York, providing access to key markets and resources
· Third best state for working mothers and the fourth most innovative economy in the nation

But we are equally as proud of our commitment to the causes of women. The recently created Governor’s Council on Women and Girls, for example, clearly illustrates the ways in which we prioritize the potential of ALL members of our society.

We know that this would be a big change for you and your company. Please know that our state has a number of assistance programs that will ensure this type of transition a smooth one for you and your team.

If you are interested and want to learn more, please contact David Lehman, commissioner of our Department of Economic and Community Development at 860-500-2310 or David.Lehman@ct.gov. He can answer any questions you may have.

It is our hope you will carefully consider the short and long-term impacts this egregious, anti-women measure will have on your business and employees and take a bold step for change. We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Ned Lamont, Governor, State of Connecticut
Susan Bysiewicz, Lt. Governor, State of Connecticut