• Home
  • Posts
  • LWVG Hosts Discussion on ‘Fixing Connecticut’s Finances’

LWVG Hosts Discussion on ‘Fixing Connecticut’s Finances’

fixing-cts-finances-2018-banner

With Connecticut’s fiscal challenges expected to feature prominently in November’s election, the League of Women Voters of Greenwich (LWVG) has invited the Co-Chairs of the bi-partisan Commission on Fiscal Stability and Economic Growth, Jim Smith and Bob Patricelli, to discuss their recommendations for getting the state’s economy back on track, on Tuesday, Oct. 2.

The Commission, comprised of 14 private citizens, issued their detailed report this March, acknowledging that the state was in “quiet crisis by every measure”: systemic budget deficits, growing unfunded pension and healthcare liabilities, anemic economic growth, loss of competitiveness, and increasing outmigration to other states. After diagnosing the state’s problems, the Commission made a series of specific recommendations to deal with them. These recommendations centered around tax reform, pension reform, infrastructure financing, urban revitalization, and investments that would spur long term economic growth in Connecticut while creating good paying jobs.

The Commission was fortunate to attract members with long and distinguished careers in business, public service and academia. Jim Smith is the Chairman of Webster Financial Corporation and Webster Bank, and Bob Patricelli was the founder and former CEO of Value Health, Evolution Benefits and Women’s Health USA. Moderating the panel will be League member and former CFO of CA Technologies, Nancy Cooper. Cooper, who currently serves on several public company boards, has been focusing on the state’s budget and pension problems since 2014, when she ran an educational program for the Greenwich League titled “Connecticut Budget 101.”

The League felt that it was important to highlight the work of the Commission, especially right before Connecticut’s voters go to the polls this November. “We have a very consequential election this year, and our goal is to ensure that voters understand the state’s fiscal challenges so they can effectively question, challenge and evaluate the plans that candidates for state office are putting forward,” said Deirdre Kamlani, League of Women Voters Board and Program Committee member. “We were lucky in the timing of the Commission’s work, since their report not only educates voters about Connecticut’s fiscal and economic woes, but also allows for a broad debate over how to turn the state’s fortunes around.”

The event’s moderator, Nancy Cooper, added: “The Commission’s work should help elevate the discussion we are having this election season. Voters need to press candidates about how they plan to realistically deal with the looming deficit and pension problems, while simultaneously protecting the important investments we need to make in infrastructure and education so we stay competitive. There are tough choices to be made, and voters need to know how each candidate is going to make them.”

The League also hopes that the program will help crystallize for voters the fact that we can successfully deal with the challenges confronting our state, and the Commission’s analysis and recommendations are a good starting point for that discussion.

The event is being held at the Cole Auditorium, Greenwich Library. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for refreshments and the program starts promptly at 7. Although admission is free, registration is required at League.RSVP@gmail.com by Sept. 25.

Related Posts
Loading...