CMC Report

November 2025

Following is a recap of this month’s CMC meeting from November 10.

Meeting Overview

The November CMC meeting opened with remarks from Administrator Paul Amarone, who introduced the newly launched CBIA Manufacturing Coalition, an initiative designed to expand educational support and resources for manufacturing organizations across the state. Paul explained that the coalition will focus on improving access to training tools, fostering collaboration among manufacturers, and aligning efforts with existing workforce partners. In response to questions from Tony Benoit, Paul emphasized that coordination with the Office of Workforce Strategy and the regional sector partnerships will be a central priority as the coalition evolves.

The group also received an update on digital learning tools and online resources from Daniel Miller, who described the soft launch of CBIA’s new online forum and CONSTEP’s learning management system. Daniel stressed that these platforms are intended to add meaningful value for manufacturers by offering centralized access to training modules, resource libraries, and peer discussions. He shared that additional features and content will be rolled out in the coming weeks. Participants asked follow-up questions regarding the system’s accessibility and long-term goals, prompting further discussion about how manufacturers can make the most effective use of these tools.

During the legislative update, Eric Gjede provided insight into the recent municipal elections, noting that Democrats made notable gains by winning mayoral seats in 28 communities. He explained that these results may have implications for statewide policy dynamics and could influence Governor Lamont’s positioning on several issues. Eric also highlighted the uncertainty surrounding Representative Bobby Sanchez’s potential resignation from the legislature following his successful mayoral race in New Britain. He emphasized the importance of finalizing the CMC legislative agenda ahead of the group’s upcoming meeting with the newly appointed chief manufacturing officer.

Eric reviewed key components expected to shape the agenda, including strengthening the R&D tax credit, expanding healthcare solutions for small businesses, and addressing persistent workforce retention challenges. CBIA added that a small business concierge function would be valuable for helping employers navigate state programs and regulatory requirements. Rising energy costs were again identified as a major barrier for manufacturers, echoing concerns raised in earlier meetings. The group also discussed the 2021 CREATES Report, which outlines potential state savings through agency consolidation and regulatory reforms. The report’s relevance to ongoing policy discussions underscored the need for continued attention to efficiency and modernization.

Additional concerns were voiced regarding Connecticut’s fiscal guardrails, which some policymakers have suggested revisiting. Katherine Saint expressed caution about weakening these protections, especially as the state approaches a new election cycle. She also raised significant concerns about the escalating cost of healthcare and the strain of high deductibles on employees. Katherine shared her support for exploring options such as single-payer models or association health plans that could offer small businesses more predictable and affordable coverage.

The meeting also included an overview of an AI Regulation Review Tool developed by Deloitte, which has yielded substantial cost savings in states like Ohio through the reduction of administrative redundancies and outdated regulations. Paul and Katherine discussed the tool’s potential value in Connecticut, noting its ability to streamline processes, improve regulatory efficiency, and strengthen under-resourced state departments. Both expressed optimism about recent improvements in regulatory communication and highlighted the importance of maintaining those partnerships as the state considers modernization efforts.

The group concluded by outlining next steps for finalizing the legislative agenda. CMC will meet with Kirti in December to refine the draft and will then solidify the agenda prior to the new year. Paul, Eric, and Andy will coordinate distribution of the final document to legislative leaders and plan to invite selected legislators to a future meeting ahead of the 2026 session.