Connecticut Legislative Policy Framework

Choose Competitiveness!
PRIORITIES 2008

Introduction

Our Recommendations:
Spending and Performance
Transportation
Health Care
Education
Energy
Housing
Quality of Life

Quality of Life
Companies choose locations that they believe are the best for their functional needs.  Companies competing for knowledge workers, such as financial or professional services, headquarters in all types of industries, research and development, etc., need locations that offer a quality of life as well as a quality of career.  Cultural institutions, parks and recreational facilities, Long Island Sound, urban night life, and more, are all elements of what has come to be known as a “community of choice.”  Investment in the viability, scale and quality of these regional assets is, therefore, an economic and community development activity.

u Create a Connecticut Treasures Challenge Fund.  For major institutions that have been designated as “Treasures” by the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism, the State should match funds raised for facility and endowment campaigns at a ratio of 1:2 or 1:3.

u Create a dedicated revenue source to fund a 300% increase in annual program and operating grants over a 5 year period.  These might include a 1% increase in the hotel tax, a tax on movie/game rentals, a 1% tax on cable television fees, etc.

 u Increase PILOT payments to communities with property tax-exempt “Treasures” to 125% of the annual, non-capital, appropriation provided by the municipality to the Treasure.

 u Create a $5 million Long Island Sound Stewardship Fund.  Allocate grants from the fund to leverage federal and private dollars to protect outstanding places with significant biological, scientific or recreational value around Long Island Sound.

The Business Council of Fairfield County
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