Government Affairs Survey Results
One of the membership benefits that we offer our ManufactureCT members is our legislative advocacy and having strong legislative relationships to advance member causes. The first step in this process is reaching out to you, our members to hear directly from you on the issues that are most important to you.
We appreciate the time that you took to complete the recent Government Affairs survey. You can download the full results which we will use to create a legislative action plan and advocate on your behalf.
These top 5 issues will be the focus of the Government Affairs Committee over the course of the next year as defined by our ManufactureCT members:
- Workforce Concerns: Rising cost of health insurance and unfunded health insurance mandates
- Energy Concerns: High cost of electric rates which are amongst the highest national electric rates as well as rising costs of gasoline and impact on workforce and supply chain
- Workforce Concerns: Workers’ compensation costs and impact on business
- Labor Concerns: Allowing more apprentices to work alongside journeymen in the training process
- Labor Concerns: Issues with Paid Leave Program roll outschool students to take advantage of Derby’s Advanced Manufacturing Certificate Program.
Outstanding Leadership in Government Affairs Winners – 2023
State Representative Chris Aniskovich is an American politician who serves in the Connecticut House of Representatives representing the 35th district. The district is composed of Chris’ hometown of Clinton, as well as neighboring Killingworth and the northern half of Westbrook. Chris has also served as Chair of the Clinton Town Council since its introduction in 2019.
State Senator Catherine Ann Osten is an American politician and member of the Connecticut State Senate representing the residents of the 19th state Senatorial District communities of Columbia, Franklin, Hebron, Lebanon, Ledyard, Lisbon, Marlborough, Montville, Norwich and Sprague.
Outstanding Leadership in Government Nominee Criteria
- Has made themselves available to ManufactureCT by attending meetings or being responsive to communications.
- Has supported legislation advancing the cause of manufacturing in Connecticut.
- Provides clear and tangible leadership on manufacturing related issues.
- Active participation in the manufacturing caucus.
- Introduced, co-sponsored or worked on legislation that would be beneficial to the manufacturing community.
- Can be from the Connecticut House or Senate – one winner from each chamber may be chosen.
Past Winners – 2022
State Representative Jennifer Leeper was elected in November 2020 to represent the 132nd Assembly District, proudly serving the residents of Fairfield and Southport. Jennifer currently sits on the Aging, Commerce, and Education Committees.
State Representative Jeff Currey Jeff Currey, is currently serving a fourth term representing the 11th Assembly District and is a Deputy Majority Leader, chairing the Screening Committee and serving on the Appropriations, Education, and Judiciary Committees. Starting in the 2022 legislative session, Jeff will serve as House Chair of the Commerce Committee.
Past Winners – 2021
State Representative Kara Rochelle is serving Ansonia and Derby’s 104th district. In her second term, State Representative Rochelle served as Vice Chair of the Commerce Committee and serves on the Higher Education & Employment Advancement Committee, and Insurance & Real Estate Committee. She also serves on the Manufacturing Caucus. Representative Rochelle has been a friend to manufacturing having written and passed legislation to create a pilot program to expand the community college Advanced Manufacturing Certificate Program to more high schools across the state and she secured funding for Ansonia High School students to take advantage of Derby’s Advanced Manufacturing Certificate Program.
State Senator Joan Hartley is Senator of the 15th district representing Waterbury, Naugatuck and Middlebury. Prior to that, she was a representative for 16 years representing the 73rd district. Senator Hartley serves as Chair of the Commerce Committee and Manufacturing Caucus. She also serves as Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee and on the Banking; Executive & Legislative Nominations committee senator Hartley is a huge friend to Manufacturing having sponsored many key manufacturing bills and being a great partner to the CMC.