New Federal Report Shows Connecticut Job Growth Anemic

Official Campaign Release October 05, 2006

New Haven: John DeStefano - Democratic nominee for governor - pointed to a new quarterly report from the FDIC showing that Connecticut is ranked 45th in U.S. in job growth as more evidence that Gov. Rell's campaign ads are blatantly misleading voters.

In Gov. Rell's television ad, she says, "we are a leader in New England in creating new jobs." In truth, Connecticut is ranked near the bottom of New England states for job growth, behind Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

The FDIC report also indicates that Connecticut's job growth rate is moving in the wrong direction. Last quarter Connecticut was ranked 44th and now it is 45th.

http://www.fdic.gov/bank/analytical/stateprofile/2006_fall/regional_profile/regionalprofile.pdf

"Once again, Gov. Rell is not being honest with voters about the issues that most affect their lives," said Slap. "She's trying to paint a picture that we all know isn't accurate. Sadly, this is just the latest example. State law requires the Rell Administration to tell families and businesses by October 1st how much their electric rates will increase. Gov. Rell doesn't want voters to know the truth until after the election is over - whether it's about job growth or electric rates.?

As governor, DeStefano would address the business community's biggest concerns by lowering rising health care costs and skyrocketing energy prices, and reducing their property tax burden. DeStefano's job growth plan would create 200,000 jobs and is endorsed by Roger Joyce, Chair of the Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA).

"I'm an optimist," said DeStefano. "I believe Connecticut can do better. We can be a national leader in job growth and we can help businesses succeed. That's not happening right now, in part because Gov. Rell doesn?t even acknowledge there's a problem."