Stratford Senator Kelly: Law 'Will Help Reestablish a Jobs-friendly Climate'

On Tuesday, July 12, State Sen. Kevin Kelly (R-21) joined members of the General Assembly to participate in a ceremony signifying Governor Malloy’s signing of Senate Bill 1001, An Act Creating the First Five Program.

Governor Malloy held the bill signing ceremony at CIGNA’s Bloomfield location to commend the company as the first to take advantage of the newly adopted First Five program. Under this new law,
CIGNA will receive $50 million in state assistance for creating 200 jobs.

The First Five Program offers tax incentives to companies that add at least 200 new employees. The Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) commissioner may provide this
assistance to up to five businesses per year in Fiscal Year 2012 and Fiscal Year 2013, respectively (i.e. First Five Program).

“I supported this law as it is a great first step for Connecticut and job growth,” said Senator Kelly. “My hope is that the First Five turns into ten businesses, then fifty and then the first hundred. We all hope
and pray the job creation momentum continues. Only by creating jobs can we rebuild the state’s economy which will help reestablish a jobs-friendly climate.”

During the ceremony Senator Kelly was asked to speak on the merits of the bill, and stated, “I am pleased that this new law has incentivized CIGNA to bring these badly needed jobs into our state.
Connecticut is the insurance capitol of the world and it is gratifying to see that title remain as we recover from the effects of this recession.”

Senator Kelly went on to note that, “Although this is a good bill, more could have been done to make it a great bill. It’s time to spread the incentives throughout all job creators in the state. Small business drives our state’s economy, and creates the majority of the jobs in Connecticut. We need to build on the First Five Program to include all job creators, particularly the small ones who are not able hire 200 or more employees, but none the less, employ the most people.

"When the state’s unemployment rate hangs above nine percent and has risen to 9.9 percent in Stratford and 14.5 percent in Waterbury, imagine what job creators could do with a $50 million jobs incentive to turn our state’s economy around and what that would mean for the peace of mind of the hardworking families across Connecticut.”