Program & Legislative Agenda

2005/2006 Legislative Priorities

Click here to see how CEO did during the 2005 Legislative Session.

It’s time to shine some sun on the
business practices of this state.

Still reeling from the years of corruption and political favoritism under the Rowland Administration, new corporate responsibility public policies are in order.

Stock Corporations

It’s not just about stockholders .

CEO proposes that CT stock corporations consider not only the interests of stockholders but also their employees and community when making substantial business decisions.

Standards for Economic Development and Reporting

Standards:

Create state economic development standards such that public funds are targeted to companies that:

* pay fair wages;

* provide adequate healthcare;

* recognize worker’s rights to fight for better working conditions.

Disclosure:

All corporations receiving direct state subsidies and/or tax expenditures of any kind be subject to disclosure laws that allow the public to know where and how their tax payer dollars are being spent.

“Pay or Play”

The sun doesn’t shine for people who cannot take care of their livelihood and their health.

The majority of uninsured residents in CT have at least 1 person in the family working. Additionally, there are corporations in CT that are being subsidized by the state because their employees are paid such low wages that they have to enroll in public assistance programs.

This is not acceptable.

CEO recommends:

·  A “pay or play” type of employer sponsored health insurance program to increase the number of insured workers in the state. Employers either “play” by providing adequate health insurance to their workers or “pay” into a fund to support health care coverage for their workers.

·  The Dept. of Social Services annually disclose the names of employers with employees utilizing public health assistance programs.

Corporate Taxation

Too many CT corporations are paying little or no taxes and benefiting from tax expenditures that are essentially “invisible” and not accountable.

CEO thinks some sunshine is in order .

CT corporations should be required to annually disclose via the internet tax expenditures, exemptions, credits and breaks they receive from the state.

Monitor and Support

Monitor bills that have a direct connection to CEO’s mission and that are priorities of CEO members and leaders:

• privatization and outsourcing of jobs
• anti-captive audience legislation,
• proposals targeting “big box” retail and specifically
  Wal-Mart,
• the rights of workers to organize,
• healthcare for part time workers,
• Clean contracting,
• MEHIP expansion,
• HUSKY and SAGA restoration, campaign finance reform,
• Increasing the minimum wage,
• retiree healthcare,
• living wage ordinances,
• marriage for same sex couples.