Issue Position: Economic Development & Jobs

Issue Position

I believe the only reliable path to sustainable economic growth is a comprehensive and collaborative approach that supports small and large businesses, recognizes the needs of workers, and attracts employers to Connecticut.
We must continue to fund programs that provide seed money to small business and create jobs for local workers.
We must invest in job training programs through our places of learning (public high schools and community colleges) so that Connecticut can compete with the rest of the nation and the world. Public schools that provide children and teachers with the tools and opportunities to succeed are vital to our State's future.
Economic development and job creation depend upon a sound infrastructure. We must invest in and maintain our roads, highways, railways and mass transit systems to provide employees and employers a safe and dependable means of getting to work and expand opportunities for businesses to grow.
We must invest in and create incentives to grow the number of childcare providers, before and after school programs and elder daycare so that people can work while loved ones are taken care of by competent, caring, licensed professionals.
In addition to raising the minimum wage, which was achieved in the last legislative session; Connecticut must address wage disparity between women and men. The 2012 census revealed that in our State, women average .78 cents to every $1.00 earned by men. Gender pay disparity in Connecticut is greater than most northeastern states and is greatest in Fairfield County. I will fight for anti-discriminatory wage legislation that will help to close the gender income gap.
Paid for by Cristin McCarthy Vahey 2014. Thomas Drew, Treasurer. Approved by Cristin McCarthy Vahey.

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