Health & Fitness
Eastern CT Chamber, Partners to Present Fiscal Sustainability Forum on May 16
Expert Panel will Analyze Issues Critical to Connecticut's Financial Future
Connecticut’s Metro Chambers will partner with other public policy leaders on May 16 to present "Fiscal Sustainability: Critical to Connecticut's Growth," one in a series of 2014 programs focused on Connecticut's fiscal challenges and opportunities. The forum is hosted by the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut. It will be 7:30-10 a.m., at Groton Inn & Suites, 99 Gold Star Highway, Groton, and will feature a panel of experts to discuss the fiscal issues that must be addressed to ensure Connecticut's future prosperity.
The forum will be moderated by Harriet Jones, a business reporter for WNPR and the Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network. The panel is:
Oz Griebel, president and CEO of the MetroHartford Alliance, who will make a presentation from the Task Force on the State Budget Crisis.
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Secretary Benjamin Barnes of the Connecticut Office of Policy Management
Keith Phaneuf, State Budget Reporter for The Connecticut Mirror
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Spencer Cain, President of Cain Associates and former Chief Budget Analyst of the State's nonpartisan Office of Fiscal Analysis
Paul Choiniere, editorial page editor of The Day
"I’m very pleased to be able to participate in the forum on fiscal sustainability," said Secretary Barnes. "Budget issues may not be the most glamorous or easy to understand, so events like this are key to informing the public about the challenges we face.”
Dealing effectively with Connecticut's long-term obligations is critical to sustaining investments in education, transportation, and other elements of a strong economic and employment foundation, and these issues will be a focus of the upcoming Gubernatorial and Legislative races. The MetroHartford Alliance, the Bridgeport Regional Business Council, the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut, the Waterbury Regional Chamber, The Connecticut Mirror, the Connecticut Institute for the 21st Century and WNPR established this series as vehicle for voters to become more informed of issues that are critical to Connecticut's economic health.
The group will be asking the Democratic and Republican Gubernatorial candidates to participate in a comprehensive discussion of the issues during the campaign.
Regarding The Mirror's involvement with the forums, Phaneuf stated: "The Connecticut Mirror is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news outlet whose mission is to produce deep reporting on vital government policies and politics. Since 2010, The Mirror has devoted considerable resources to covering rising Medicaid costs, unfunded liabilities, tax volatility and other factors that threaten the future of Connecticut’s budget and, by extension, its economic health."
Webster Bank is the sponsor of this program series. "Setting our state’s spending at a sustainable level and investing in Connecticut’s infrastructure are essential principles to facilitate faster economic growth” said James C. Smith, chairman and CEO of Webster Bank. “A disciplined fiscal climate leads to greater competitiveness and higher productivity and gives businesses and residents increasing confidence to invest, grow, and stay here. These forums on fiscal sustainability will provide citizens a deeper understanding of the spending and investment choices our state faces and enable them to make informed choices in this election year.”
Registration, breakfast, and networking begin at 7:30 a.m. The program is from 8:00 a.m., to 10:00 a.m. Cost: $25 per person. Please register in advance by calling the Chamber at 860-701-9113 or visiting http://www.chamberect.com/chamber-activities
