Guilford Lawmaker's Bill Would Help Recent College Grads Find Work

Rep. Sean Scanlon (D-Guilford) and Rep. Caroline Simmons (D-Stamford) applauded the Finance Committee for passing a bill they jointly introduced which would create a tax credit for any business who hires a recent Connecticut college graduate.

“We are grateful to our colleagues on the Finance Committee for helping this bill move forward and for supporting our efforts to create jobs for young Connecticut residents,” said Rep. Scanlon. “This bill - which has broad bi-partisan support - has a simple premise: any business that hires a recent Connecticut college graduate will get a tax credit.”

Rep. Simmons said, “Passing this legislation will send a strong signal that our state wants young people to stay here and use the skills they learned after they graduate and that companies who invest in local talent will be rewarded for doing so.”

Their bill - which passed the Finance Committee unanimously - provides a $500.00 tax credit per month for one year on a first-come-first-serve basis to any company or business who hires an individual who is a state resident and within two years of their graduation from a Connecticut college or university. Initially, the program will be capped at $1 million dollars but Simmons and Scanlon hope that once the state enters better fiscal times the program can be expanded.

“This bill will help address the high unemployment rate among recent graduates in Connecticut and create more job opportunities for young graduates,” said Simmons.
“During my campaign, I told the voters of my district I wanted to go to Hartford to work with Republicans to get things done and this legislation is a perfect example of a truly bi-partisan effort that will help create jobs for young people in our state,” said Scanlon.

To date, eleven legislators from both parties have co-sponsored the Scanlon/Simmons bill including the Republican ranking members of the Finance Committee Sen. Scott Frantz (R-Greenwich) and Rep. Chris Davis (R-Ellington).

The bill now heads to the full House and Senate for consideration.