Rep. Bacchiochi looks to make Connecticut more business friendly

TOLLAND – State Rep. Penny Bacchiochi on Thursday, Sept. 12, was joined by fellow House Republican legislators and officials from the state’s Department of Labor and Department of Economic and Community Development in a small business forum aimed at locals in north-central Connecticut.

Rep. Bacchiochi (R-52) was joined by Reps. Tim Ackert (R-8), Sam Belsito (R-53), and Chris Davis (R-57) on a panel to discuss small business efforts in the legislature and programs offered by state agencies. As the House Republican Caucus Chair, Rep. Bacchiochi looked at the opportunity to take the questions and information, and relay it to her colleagues throughout the General Assembly.

“We had a great discussion about what we can do – or shouldn’t be doing – to make our state more business-friendly,” Rep. Bacchiochi said. “I’m honored to represent so many small businesses in my district, because they make the local and state economy grow. These are the people who employ others, invest in our communities and drive state business in nearby states. What we heard from them and learned from them are ideas and topics we can take back to Hartford, where we will continue the conversation to better our state for people just like them.”

Initiatives like the Small Business Express Program, which helps small and mid-sized companies expand, and launches new products and services, came to lawmakers in 2013. Rep. Bacchiochi voted for the program, which was signed into law by the governor earlier this year. Rep. Bacchiochi also touted the repeal of the “business death tax,” which hurts entrepreneurial industries.

The Small Business Forum was organized, in part, with leaders from state agencies, who encouraged local businesses to search apprenticeship programs, tax breaks and technical services.