[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6642570,"mediaKeyId","2540776-eb328f6046b826baa214b644ba652ffd","parentId",2540776,"title","DECD outlines technical changes to economic programs; film tax credit draws industry pushback","audioSeconds",5506,"startMs",3128000,"endMs",8634000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2540776-eb328f6046b826baa214b644ba652ffd&start=3128&end=8634","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2540776-eb328f6046b826baa214b644ba652ffd/thumbnail_3128000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6642570/Connecticut/DECD-outlines-technical-changes-to-economic-programs-film-tax-credit-draws-industry-pushback","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6642570-7ab02b0f886d2d4e17d3c823b7ded744/orig.mp4?Expires=1771015759&Signature=UNwdFIALCYxYBkzPPgRBkIyLSCfIjehl9LPgM0sdELsSqZnV0yqnkyNp4giHWAcyrTJNGEZZf4o4I5ZyXQ47oMLngK3mJUPRWxWan7vR~SNxn5eRJLtVqX1qGpA7mEMNbH75qSccxHjsSM47ZpyWzFOW5~hmJc3ZpjQVYeKpLh~tC1HIhQHZFR37YRVueKFbAuD2e-ZeEMk1bIrrA6nyvTQ9qHyQmAwadTUE4tFD8zEc40c4FVfg-WL6kHDGkTVpxgcsDtuC5c4ykjbt9X6llBdhIQic4RaFFt9CL3eU2b4D8Bi5GJhgld8BC4SOTuADYvT6YOjDNBCl5VNesvhMyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Connecticut House Of Representative Commerce Committee","date","2025-03-11T16:48:38.473Z","article","Deputy Commissioner Matt Pugliese of the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) testified to the Commerce Committee about two agency packages, House Bill 7165 and House Bill 7166, describing multiple technical amendments and clarifications.

“Section 1 of 71 65 allows DCD to create a sales program to sell Connecticut branded merchandise as well as advertising space on c2visit.com,” Pugliese told the committee. He summarized other provisions that would clarify prevailing‑wage applicability for brownfield remediation work, conform an intellectual and developmental disability workforce grant program to federal competitive integrated employment standards, clarify that post‑award tax credits are not “state assistance” for nonrelocation rules, and restore statutory language permitting DECD to provide assistance to Advance CT for business recruitment.

Pugliese said DOL and other agencies had reviewed the draft language and that DECD expected to file minor clarifying amendments with the committee. He also described the department’s strategic supply‑chain program and said applications were under review; he said previously authorized funds were being repurposed for the program.

Several witnesses addressed the film production tax credit and broader incentives. Production company executives said the industry operates like manufacturing and stressed the number of blue‑collar jobs tied to productions. Jonathan Black of Cheriton Productions described his firm’s move from Los Angeles, saying his company employed roughly 350 people across two projects and expected to hire up to 450 in 2025. “We are a production services company. We moved our company from Los Angeles to here,” Black said, adding that productions hire hotels, catering, local construction and dozens of trades.

Industry witnesses warned that proposed reductions in the production tax credit would reduce the state’s competitiveness and make projects leave for neighboring states. Black and other producers urged fuller consultation before adopting changes and asked for greater predictability in the credit’s long‑term availability.

Brie Wolf, DECD’s director of government affairs, told the committee that the state auditor’s review that prompted statutory clarifications was a compliance audit, not an economic impact study. “The state auditor's report is simply about DCD's compliance with, laws and, with state statute and regulation. It did not contemplate such an economic analysis,” Wolf said. DECD staff said they were willing to work with the committee and the Office of Policy and Management on any additional economic analysis requested by legislators.

Committee members asked DECD for follow‑up materials on the department’s R&D credit language, the film credit transfer market and the supply‑chain program timeline. No final committee action was recorded at the hearing; members asked DECD to submit amended language and supplemental analyses before any floor referral.

Ending note: DECD agreed to return with amended bill language on some sections and with additional data on film‑credit administration and the strategic supply‑chain competitive process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Commerce Committee Public Hearing 3-11-25","oneSentenceSummary","DECD told the Commerce Committee that House Bills 7165 and 7166 contain technical clarifications to tax credits, workforce and property rules; film‑production stakeholders asked for credit stability and fuller consultation.","taxTitle","Commerce, House of Representatives, Committees, Legislative, Connecticut","taxId",15140,"location","Connecticut","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6642573,"Tourism and arts advocates press Commerce Committee to dedicate meals‑tax revenue to tourism fund",2718,2197000,4915000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2540776-eb328f6046b826baa214b644ba652ffd&start=2197&end=4915","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2540776-eb328f6046b826baa214b644ba652ffd/thumbnail_2197000.jpg","/articles/6642573/Connecticut/Tourism-and-arts-advocates-press-Commerce-Committee-to-dedicate-mealstax-revenue-to-tourism-fund","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6642573-02f8e6211d9965ee236461c1533ad51e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771015759&Signature=iQgBpeB9dRnBrltwIYrNo8p4SIUZlMtLaxcv34~EOmH-2OdLikhEtq5AUikP9tBCaIQlyXFYzZI7Y~g62Zb46sHTGaGnqm51~GPyPXkD6hy52xKCq9qUi7lmOukpehNAaFBfeRCM7maTVi2UXfHIy1KsVdH0l0w8GLqjG9DFJFBps4FIAsoDNzf~7NlvebeH56FL4I~z6MvngrpQ5k4yot4TkHq6qw7-jqEBz35tJW2AQN1cShJ2AP~maxaoL6qMBUtkYGPAZqQvpCjpcmvchyLUIAnzYtqIvUlg~j7wpfuueJL23tYOyv-Hn0chwkjRK83psQqOOIEBisz9ygAqkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jason Mancini, executive director of Connecticut Humanities, and other arts and tourism advocates told the Commerce Committee that the state should dedicate a portion of the 1% meals-and‑beverage tax to the tourism fund to support arts, culture and tourism programs.

“We're requesting a total of $22,000,000 investment,” Mancini said, describing a statewide network of nearly 750 cultural nonprofits that he said act as small businesses and community anchors. He cited an Americans for the Arts report with statewide figures: total industry expenditures of $955,000,000; personal income to state residents of $826,000,000; local and state tax revenue of $90,000,000; total in‑person attendance of 10,800,000; and total event‑related expenditures of $348,000,000.

Representing the Connecticut Restaurant Association, Scott Dolch said the 1% meals tax has been an important revenue stream. “The 1% in the last 5 years as a whole has generated $415,000,000 to the general fund,” he told the committee. Dolch calculated that dedicating 10% of that 1% to tourism would yield roughly $10,700,000 annually and noted the tourism office’s budget reductions: he said the tourism office budget was $12.1 million previously, was $7.5 million at the time of testimony, and was scheduled to fall to $4.5 million on July 1.

Julia Wilcox of the Connecticut Community Nonprofit Alliance testified in support of Senate Bill 1456, saying that nonprofit arts and culture organizations serve communities statewide and that investment in the sector has multiplier effects for restaurants, retail and local businesses. Wilcox and Mancini backed a proposal from arts and tourism groups to divide dedicated meals‑tax revenue among municipalities, tourism programming, and local arts services.

On questions from the committee, several members said they recognized tourism and cultural investment as economic drivers but noted budget constraints. Senators and representatives at the hearing urged continued discussions between advocates, DECD and appropriations staff to find funding approaches that fit current fiscal limits.

Ending note: Committee members acknowledged the testimony and said they would consider the allocation proposal alongside the governor’s budget and appropriations deliberations.","Representatives of Connecticut Humanities, the Restaurant Association, and nonprofit coalitions urged the Commerce Committee to approve Senate Bill 1456, which would allocate a portion of the meals-and‑beverage tax to arts, culture and tourism. Witnesses provided economic data and urged state investment to boost visitation and local businesses.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6642578,"Connecticut hearing on H.J. 9 spotlights disagreement over Jones Act’s costs and benefits",3755,1869000,5624000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2540776-eb328f6046b826baa214b644ba652ffd&start=1869&end=5624","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2540776-eb328f6046b826baa214b644ba652ffd/thumbnail_1869000.jpg","/articles/6642578/Connecticut/Connecticut-hearing-on-HJ-9-spotlights-disagreement-over-Jones-Acts-costs-and-benefits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6642578-b0defcab54ad3d51ea1c2368c868c636/orig.mp4?Expires=1771015759&Signature=No9KHZR9j~w5xcN2WT3AMTDURqUyrGDmRXA7ce7-HhSKSylLkwphyA2DBU9OFITHjDvw8SQdSKHBLDINycsS8B5Xjerj-LWweMsXTYUDJxWw7JhalVDijf6YrFsI8YjK-gz2rTQAmgXUlU~km1w4tvkZwe~LuFDT1v4goTOJGn-9huZPBYG5FlpgnOASYTp8hcW5JPTKx6RWw117Sl88WKngS7LRfmOVkD03W~ogIK08KJYv9f1MywWJMOP0pXNqJRLKVmEf6X5GiTqiczstEOrZZPWhIVuibpExPoz0TCIE~VdQnA-dQT4L~Sb9ebfrPGBhczuCceQq1jJKTwSJWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Luis Rosario asked the Commerce Committee to adopt House Joint Resolution 9 asking Congress to amend the Jones Act, saying the federal law raises energy costs and constrains Connecticut’s economy.

“I come before you today as a sponsor of h j 9, calling for action to amend the Jones Act, the federal law that continues to drive up energy costs and stifle economic growth in Connecticut and Puerto Rico,” Rosario told the committee during public testimony.

Rosario and other supporters, including Senator Fazio, said the Jones Act increases the cost of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and other fuels and restricts the supply of vessels able to move domestic energy. “If Congress amends the Jones Act to allow exemptions for LNG shipments, we can lower energy prices and provide much needed relief for both Connecticut residents and the people of Puerto Rico,” Rosario said. Senator Fazio added that Connecticut’s high energy costs make it harder for residents and businesses, and argued a waiver or amendment could lower prices and support local manufacturing.

Opponents testified that the Jones Act protects U.S. maritime jobs and national economic security. Kyle Burleson of the American Waterways Operators told the committee, “I appreciate the opportunity to oppose house resolution 9, which would weaken the Jones Act, and in doing so, weaken national economic security as well as harm Puerto Rico.” Burleson said the domestic maritime sector already contributes about $1.7 billion annually to Connecticut’s economy and supports more than 6,500 jobs in the state; he said Puerto Rico also benefits from U.S. maritime investment and a dedicated Jones Act fleet.

A pair of witnesses from nonpartisan think tanks disputed each other’s cost estimates. Chris Hansford of the Cato Institute and Colin Gravo of Cato’s trade center testified that the Jones Act makes domestic waterborne transport expensive, citing studies that place a multi‑hundred‑million‑dollar to billion‑dollar welfare cost on Puerto Rico. Gravo summarized the statute during his remarks: “The Jones Act, section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, restricts water transportation between US points to vessels that are US flagged, US built, at least 75% US owned, and US crewed.” He added that U.S. commercial shipbuilding is small and costly compared with allied shipyards, which he said raises domestic shipping prices.

Committee members asked witnesses about the trade‑offs between sustaining a U.S. commercial shipbuilding and maritime workforce and the economic costs borne by fuel‑dependent regions and territories. Several members urged the committee to collect written analyses from both sides; the American Waterways Operators agreed to submit written testimony and additional evidence.

No formal committee vote on H.J. 9 was recorded at the public hearing. Members said they would review the testimony and written submissions before taking any formal committee action.

Ending note: Committee members signaled they will request additional documentation from both supporters and opponents — including federal cost studies and state estimates — before deciding whether to advance any resolution.

","Sponsors urged the Commerce Committee to pass a resolution asking Congress to amend the Jones Act, arguing it raises fuel and energy costs for Connecticut and Puerto Rico. Industry and labor representatives testified both for and against the resolution, citing competing economic studies and national-security concerns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

DECD outlines technical changes to economic programs; film tax credit draws industry pushback

Tourism and arts advocates press Commerce Committee to dedicate meals‑tax revenue to tourism fund

Connecticut hearing on H.J. 9 spotlights disagreement over Jones Act’s costs and benefits