The Connecticut Business and Industry Association strongly supports downsizing and streamlining state government to make it more cost-efficient and responsive to the needs of Connecticut”™s families and businesses. It will not be easy, but it is, however, essential.
Fortunately, the Connecticut Regional Institute for the 21st Century has already begun doing some of the most difficult and important work: identifying areas of state government where the adoption of best practices and more efficient delivery of services will yield the greatest cost savings and most desirable outcomes.
Their rigorous analysis and detailed recommendations offer our legislators and other policymakers a blueprint for dealing with many of the biggest cost drivers in the state, which if not addressed today, will become even tougher problems tomorrow. What we need now is for our elected officials to recognize the importance of the task at hand and muster the political will to accomplish it.
The business community can play a critical role in making sure that happens, and thanks to the institute, we”™ll have some powerful tools to help us. The study of Connecticut”™s long-term care system is an example of the kind of vital information we need to engage voters, elected officials and candidates for public office and be an effective voice for change. As the 2010 election season begins in earnest, CBIA will be conducting an aggressive campaign to educate Connecticut voters on the economic issues and structural budget problems facing Connecticut. We encourage you to join us in that effort.
Forthcoming studies by the institute will examine key issues such as state prison reform, the use of nonprofit providers to deliver social services more affordably and the need to bring state employee benefits more in line with those offered in the private sector. The institute is raising private funds to support its work and can be contacted at 203-782-4324. Visit them online at http://ctregionalinstitute.wordpress.com.
John R. Rathgeber is president and CEO of the Connecticut Business and Industry Association in Hartford.
