Searching for a way out of Connecticut”™s economic crisis, voters in the state are ready to support any state candidate who has a pro-jobs agenda. The problem is, they don”™t know who has one ”“ and worse, many of those running for office “just don”™t know what to do,” according to a national pollster.
Washington, D.C.-based Hamilton Campaigns polled Connecticut voters extensively this summer to gauge sentiments on key economic and political issues.
While there are deep divisions politically in Connecticut, voters seem to be in tune on the state”™s economic challenges, says Dave Beattie, president of Hamilton Campaigns. “We don”™t have to convince people of the problems. Voters are yearning for solutions and direction ”“ they just can”™t tell you who”™s got it.”
Voters agree.
According to the poll results, voters believed state government was spending too much and wasting too much. And they also agreed that the state should:
Provide more incentives to help businesses succeed and stay here.
Lower business taxes in the state to make them more competitive.
Help companies comply with state and federal regulations instead of penalizing them.
Those results are reflected in the mission of the Partnership for Connecticut”™s Future, a grassroots movement of citizens, community organizations, and small and large businesses dedicated to jobs, economic growth and government accountability.
The partnership (partnershipct.org) was designed to bridge a gap ”“ educating voters on the issues and helping candidates and elected officials learn about practical solutions to getting Connecticut”™s economy moving again.
As a nonpartisan organization that does not endorse candidates or political parties, the partnership deliberately avoids distractions that might further distance voters and policymakers.
Candidates want to get Connecticut”™s economy moving again but “a lot of them really don”™t have policy ideas.”
Again, that”™s how the partnership can help ”“ filling the need for nonpartisan information and perspectives on the issues.
With Connecticut still facing monumental fiscal challenges, the partnership will continue working after the election and throughout the 2011 legislative session.Â
Joseph F. Brennan is senior vice president of public policy at the Connecticut Business and Industry Association. Reach him at Joe.Brennan@cbia.com.
