Vernon Legislators Huddle With Chamber, Business Leaders

TOLLAND, CT — Area legislators recently joined business leaders to discuss the upcoming legislative session at an event hosted by the Tolland County Chamber of Commerce and the Connecticut Business and Industry Association.

Legislators attending the gathering were State representatives Chris Davis (R-57), Tim Ackert (R-8), Sam Belsito (R-53) and State Senator Tony Guglielmo (R-35) and state Re-Elect Michael Winkler (D-56).

The General Assembly will be facing "a significant budget shortfall entering the 2017 Legislative Session," chamber officials said. The projected budget deficit for the biennial budget, covering 2018 through 2020, is approximately $3.5 billion, chamber officials said.

“We need to make bold bipartisan decisions this legislative session that will provide business owners with a sustainable and predictable state government,” Davis said. “Business owners want us to reduce burdensome regulations that are hampering them to grow, and we need to listen to their calls. I will continue to be a strong voice for our small business owners and fight to make our state more business friendly.”

“Our business climate in Connecticut is unfriendly and unsustainable,” Ackert said. “We need to work hand-in-hand with business leaders to create a sustainable state government. As a small business owner, I want to see a Connecticut that is competitive and innovative, and I know we can get back to being a business powerhouse.”

“One-party rule for the past 38 years has created an unsustainable and unpredictable business environment,” added Belsito. “Republicans have big ideas and big solutions to help solve Connecticut’s growing problems. The majority party in the House should work with us this legislative session to create an environment where businesses want to stay and grow.”

“I want to extend a huge thank you to CBIA for inviting me to the panel last week,” Guglielmo Senator Tony Guglielmo (R-Stafford). “Having an open dialogue with the business community is important to me as we move forward into a new legislative session.”

The 2017 Legislative Session of the Connecticut General Assembly will commence Wednesday, Jan. 4 and continue for a five-month period ending on Wednesday, June 7.

Photo Credit: Tolland County Chammer of Commerce