LATEST LEGISLATIVE NEWS
Income Tax Hike Targets Small Businesses
Chamber Legislative Alert!! Lawmakers could vote at any time on a new state budget and tax package that reportedly includes a $53 million income tax hike on most small businesses. Last year, the legislature implemented a new tax on pass-through entities (LLCs, LLPs, partnerships, sole proprietorships, S Corps) with an offsetting income tax credit to […]
Take Action Now!! Lawmakers Voting To Increase Minimum Wage!!
Take Action Now!! Last week, Connecticut lawmakers passed the most aggressive minimum wage hike in state history. Minimum wage will go to $15 per hour over the next 5 years. How are you preparing to make these changes? Have you considered what you will do for the employee that is working for you now that […]
Windham Chamber Legislative ALERT!!! Take Action
Concerned about the impact that mandated paid family and medical leave will have on your business? State lawmakers will soon act on legislation mandating 12-14 weeks annual paid leave at 100% of salary, capped at $1,000 weekly, for all private sector workers in Connecticut. Employers will shoulder additional administrative burdens involved with juggling new workforce […]
CT Business Day at the State Capital
Join hundreds of business leaders at this annual event and share your business story with lawmakers. Legislators need to hear from the business community as they look to help employers grow the economy and create more jobs. The morning begins with a welcome session, followed by breakouts that give you an opportunity to meet with […]
NEW PROPOSED BILLS THAT WILL AFFECT YOUR BUSINESS & BOTTOM LINE THIS YEAR
Healthcare mandates increase health insurance costs to employers and their employees A series of bills mandating expanded healthcare coverage could significantly increase costs for Connecticut small businesses and their employees. Rising healthcare costs remain one of the main concerns for Connecticut employers, particularly small businesses, which are the majority of businesses in the Windham Region. “With […]
New Tax Laws
Publication 5318, Tax Reform: What’s New for Your Business, is a 12-page electronic document. Pub. 5318 provides a general overview of many of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) changes enacted in December 2017 that impact business taxes. Publication 5318 includes sections on: Qualified Business Income Deduction Depreciation Business related losses Business related exclusions […]
State Workers’ Compensation Fund Cuts Employer Assessment Rates
Connecticut employers will save more than $100 million in workers’ compensation costs next fiscal year due to a reduction in assessment rates for the state’s Second Injury Fund. State Treasurer Denise Nappier this week announced a half-point drop in rates. “The rates for insurance companies will decrease from 2.75% to 2.25% for insured employers,” Nappier […]
Employer Alert: State Modifies Unemployment Claims Hearing Process
The state Department of Labor has modified the initial fact-finding hearing for the unemployment compensation claims adjudication process. Employers will no longer receive Form UC-840E, Notice to Employer of Hearing, but will now be mailed Form UC-790, Fact Finding Supplement, and are required to respond in writing within 10 calendar days of when the form […]
Tax Reform: Changes to Depreciation Affect Businesses Now
As employers across the country celebrate National Small Business Week, the IRS reminds businesses that the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act may affect their depreciation deductions and taxes. Business taxpayers can generally depreciate tangible property except land, including buildings, machinery, vehicles, furniture and equipment. Changes to depreciation and how they will affect businesses may […]
New Workplace Mandates, Unemployment Compensation Reforms Approved
A legislative committee this week approved broad new mandates on Connecticut employers, including paid family and medical leave and a massive expansion of the state’s paid sick leave statute. The Labor and Public Employees Committee also unanimously passed long-overdue reforms to the state’s unemployment compensation system, although that bill faces significant challenges as it moves to […]
Regulators Approve Workers’ Comp Premium Rate Cuts
Connecticut employers will see their workers’ compensation insurance premiums decrease in 2018 for the fourth consecutive year. The Connecticut Insurance Department Nov. 6 approved an average 14% rate decrease for workers’ compensation insurance. The rate was based on recommendations from the National Council on Compensation Insurance, which analyzes and recommends rates in more than 40 states. CBIA […]
State Retirement Plan Mandate Delayed Indefinitely
Connecticut has officially delayed implementation of the state’s controversial retirement plan mandate. The Connecticut Retirement Security Authority board of directors voted last month to delay the Jan. 1, 2018 implementation date set by legislation that narrowly passed the General Assembly in 2016. State Labor Commissioner Scott Jackson, who chairs the CRSA board of directors, released a […]
US Dept of Labor to Review Overtime Rule
The U.S. Department of Labor announced Oct. 30 the agency’s plans to review regulations governing overtime eligibility thresholds. DOL issued a Request for Information in July regarding the Obama administration’s controversial overtime rule—published in May 2016—asking for public input on proposed changes. That comment period has ended and the DOL is reviewing those submissions. In […]
Office of Legislative Research Releases 2017 Major Public Acts
Click Here To Download PDF
Major FMLA Expansion Hidden in Budget
Dear Business Owners, Lawmakers are considering a budget that expands mandatory family medical leave for all private employers in Connecticut. FMLA will be expanded to include extended family members, including grandchildren, grandparents, and siblings, adding up to 16 weeks of leave each year. This proposal goes into effect October 1, giving you just two weeks to […]
New Law Drops State Licensing Requirements For Some Jobs
Swimming pool assemblers and athletic agents are among the professionals who will no longer need to obtain state credentials to do their jobs, according to a bill signed by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy into law this week. Senate Bill 191, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2018, phases out occupational licenses for several jobs that don’t […]
EMPLOYERS TAKE ACTION!!
A public hearing is scheduled for Feb. 9 on two of the more controversial proposals to emerge from the Labor and Public Employees Committee this session. SB 13 and HB 6206 increase the state’s minimum wage to $15 per hour over each of the next five years, then mandate annual increases thereafter. HB 5591 effectively […]
New State Laws Take Effect October 1
October 1, 2016 marks the effective date for a number of new or revised state laws impacting Connecticut businesses. Issues & Policies 09.16.16 Energy & Telecommunications Tree removal. Under PA16-86 (HB 5150), trees and shrubs on public lands that may interfere with power lines or transportation corridors will now have greater due process rights before […]
ACTS Affecting Business & Jobs
Click HERE To Download The ACTS Affecting Business & Jobs report created by the Office of Legislative Research For more information regarding all the legislation that was in enacted during 2016 please click HERE
Tonight: Public Hearing on State’s Minimum Wage
The Connecticut Low Wage Employer Advisory Board is holding a public hearing tonight–Wednesday, July 20–on their proposal to seek a higher state minimum wage in the 2017 legislative session. As you know, the state’s minimum wage is already scheduled to increase to $10.10 in the coming year. Certain members of the board would prefer an even […]
Business Owners Take Action!
Connecticut cannot afford more state tax hikes. We can’t afford to lose more jobs, businesses, and families. State lawmakers vote this week on a 2017 budget plan that closes a near $1 billion deficit with no tax hikes, cuts spending by $830 million, and leaves the state’s Rainy Day Fund untouched. Call or email your […]
Urge Your Legislators to Pass HB 5367, Reduce Your Unemployment Taxes
Good news: A bill to help reduce your unemployment compensation taxes was unanimously approved by the legislature’s Labor Committee. But that was just step No. 1 in the legislative process. Help keep House Bill 5367 going all the way to Gov. Malloy’s desk for signature into law. Contact your local legislators today Tell them we […]
Breakfast With Congressman Joe Courtney
Thursday, March 24, 2016 8:00am-9:30 am Windham Club-184 Club Rd, Windham Ct $20 per person includes breakfast buffet Register Here
CANCELLED-Congressman Joe Courtney Breakfast
NEW DATE WILL BE SCHEDULED SOON Date: February 5, 2016 Time: 8:00 AM Location: The Windham Club- 184 Club Rd, North Windham, CT 06256 Cost: $20 per person includes breakfast Register Here The Chamber of Commerce, Windham Region is hosting a legislative breakfast for members and the general public to meet and discuss national concerns […]
POSTPONED-Legislative Breakfast With Regional Leaders
Meet With Local State Representatives & Senators As They Begin A New Legislative Session PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED. WE WILL LET YOU KNOW AS SOON AS A NEW DATE IS SCHEDULED Date: Thursday, February 11, 2016 Time: 8:30 am Location: The Windham Club- 184 Club Rd, North Windham, CT 06256 The Chamber of […]
Windham Chamber Hosts Leadership Legislative Breakfast
We Cordially Invite You To A Leadership Legislative Breakfast Date: April 28, 2015 Time: 8:30 AM Location: Golf Club at Windham-1884 Club Rd, Windham Cost: $20 Click Here To Register Dear Community Leader and Business Owner: The Chamber is hosting a Leadership Breakfast on April 28 and has invited all of the legislators covering our 16 […]
Legislative Breakfast with US Congressman Joe Courtney
Come Hear US Congressman Joe Courtney Upcoming legislation, State of the Union Speak Date: Friday Mar 27thTime: 8:30 amLocation: Nathan Hale Inn & Conference Center-855 Bolton Rd, StorrsCLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Legislative Wrap Up Sessions
Meet With Your State Reps & Senators! The Chamber of Commerce Inc. Windham Region and CBIA invite you to join other business leaders in an informal discussion about the 2014 session of the Connecticut General Assembly. State legislators considered many bills impacting your business and your company’s bottom line in this year’s session of the […]
LEGISLATIVE MISSION
The Chamber of Commerce is committed to building and sustaining viable partnerships with federal, state and local governmental entities in order to continue to grow a vibrant regional economy with an excellent quality of life.
LEGISLATIVE GOALS
Budget:
- Move towards a balanced budget to improve business confidence.
- Avoid additional costs to businesses and residents.
Healthcare:
- Equitable allocation of funding to our region.
- Support value-based health care initiatives.
- Oppose any new taxes, fees and mandates that fail the cost-benefit test.
Labor:
- Support job creation programs.
- Reject new mandates and other proposals that increase costs, stifle job creation or hurt the State’scompetitiveness.
- Paid family medical leave
- State sponsored mandatory retirement plans
- Reform unemployment compensation to ensure long term solvency of the trust fund.
Lean government:
- Promote lean management techniques to decrease cost and increase value to state.
- Promote tax policy that encourages business investments, jobs, innovation and productivity.
- Focus on delivering the core functions of state government.
- Transfer social service direct programming to qualified nonprofit organizations.
Energy:
- Drive economic growth by making energy costs more competitive, increasing reliability and fostering efficiency, conservation and technological innovation.
- Evaluate all energy recommendations and proposals for potential impact on cost reliability and CT’s competitiveness.
Transportation:
- Pass constitutional amendment to clarify which dollars belong in the Special Transportation Fund and restrict their use to transportation projects.
- Support CT Airport Authority’s efforts to improve and increase traffic to Windham Airport.
- Support freight rail infrastructure improvements.
- Support passenger bus transportation from region to Hartford.
Regulatory Reform:
1. Keep regulations consistent with federal requirements and those of competing states.
2. Adopt procedures that promote consistent interpretation of regulations and address business concerns when they are negatively impacted by inconsistent regulatory interpretations.
Download Our 2018 Legislative Policy Statement Here
