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DARIEN, Conn. Candidates for the state Senate focused on how they can bring small businesses and jobs to Connecticut in a debate Tuesday night in Darien.
"One of the best ways of supporting small businesses is doing some of the things we've already done," said Bob Duff, the Democratic incumbent for the 25th District (Darien/Norwalk). He praised last October's comprehensive Jobs Bill and programs such as the Subsidized Training and Employment Program, which provides wage reimbursements to businesses with fewer than 100 employees. More initiatives will continue to grow small businesses, he said.
"I do not see relief. What I see happening in Hartford is a lack of common sense," said Jack Chiaramonte, the Republican candidate for the 25th District. The state government needs to decrease spending and not increase taxes to entice businesses to move to Connecticut, he said. "When people have jobs, they pay taxes and it increases the revenue in the state. As a small business person, that's the common sense way of doing it."
"Small businesses are comig to small towns and to bigger towns," said Carlo Leone, the Democratic incumbent for the 27th District (Darien/Stamford). He said that is because of the jobs initiative and the work being done in Hartford. The Subsidized Training and Employment Program has led to 700 new jobs, and it was the result of bipartisan work, he said. "As more companies come and small businesses thrive, the more successful we'll become. And that momentum is starting to happen."
"It's important that we keep our environment competitive, and we structure a low cost government here so we don't have the kind of tax burden on our citizens and our businesses so they can afford to business in the state," said Barry Michelson, the Republican candidate for the 27th District. Connecticut needs to make businesses want to come here and also lower its energy costs to further reduce financial burdens, he said.
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