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Alright well my only question is what is keeping you all from moving to Texas or Orlando or Memphis, Tennessee?
The warm weather, the low taxes, better politics down south. Cheaper to live. Too cold here. The beer is cheaper down south. And it's growing in population like wildfire down south. Why on earth would you want to live here????? Why? Explain that.
Because it sounds to me like most of you really dislike everything about living in this state. The weather is too cold, the taxes are high, the jobs are disappearing, cost of living HIGH??? Why? Live? Here? Let's just vacate the state. I'll help you pack.
^ I like Connecticut. Taxes are an issue, but other than that I'm happy here. That said, CT is not relevant on a national or political level, which is what the OP is about.
Connecticut has been a historically rich state due to its proximity to NYC.
Companies came here because they could recruit top talent
Now the companies are moving to less expensive location and young people are moving to less expensive locations.
It takes time for the companies to move out and it takes time for the population to move. Families are reluctant to pick up and go to a place away from friends and family.
We have been witnessing the exodus over the last 20 years and it will only intensify mainly because the other states offer a much more attractive tax and business atmosphere
It's important to first define "national relevance." Subjectively, I think Connecticut is viewed by outsiders throughout the nation as a wealthy and snobby state (mostly because of the wealth emanating from Greenwich and Fairfield County, along with Hartford's status as the insurance capitol of the country).
I believe that Connecticut has to maintain and/or enhance the following areas in order to continue its relevancy.
1. The State's education sector has always been strong thanks to Yale University serving as a strong anchor. UConn has gained prominence over the last decade (mainly due to its strong basketball program). Smaller schools, such as Fairfield University, Sacred Heart, et al., have risen in academic desirability within the Northeast Region. Post University, which started out as an online-focused institution, is expanding its on-site offerings and I predict big things for them over the next few decade.
2. Engineering and Manufacturing needs to stay. UTC/Pratt & Whitney/Sikorsky provide a HUGE employment base throughout the entire state. Beyond direct employment, they also outsource many contracts and services to local small businesses especially around East Hartford area). I believe there is a bill waiting to be signed, if it hasn't already, to provide a large monetary incentive for UTC to stay in CT (with a significant chunk going toward keeping Sikorsky in Stratford for another 5 years).
3. The Healthcare Space doesn't immediately come to mind when outsiders think of Connecticut. However, it makes up a significant portion of our employment. According to May 2013 data from the Bureau of Labor Services, Healthcare Practitioners and Healthcare Support make up approximately 151,000 jobs in Connecticut (or 9.2% of the total amount of jobs in the state). Unfortunately, healthcare costs keep on rising and many providers (i.e. Hospitals) continue to bleed money. This is more of a national problem and is something I don't think Connecticut can influence greatly beyond additional tax incentives for Alexion and Pfizer, and additional state funding for Yale New-Haven Hospital and Hartford Hospital systems.
3. In my opinion, I don't think the insurance sector is as strong as commonly perceived within the public's eyes. One recent example was with MetLife, as they moved their operations from Bloomfield to North Carolina. On the other hand, I think this industry is the least volatile. Large insurers such as Aetna, CIGNA, Hartford, Travelers, etc. realize that the talent pool and knowledgebase is strong within the Greater Hartford area. Connecticut needs to encourage these companies to open positions and grow domestically, rather than continue job growth in other states and/or offshore work to other countries.
4. Similarly, the financial/investment sectors down in Greenwich and Stamford need to remain strong. Anchors like UBS and RBS need to stay around, which helps to develop the talent pool that fuels growth for smaller firms like Bridgewater Associates. Even though this sector appears lucrative, many of the wealthy Hedgefund managers serve as extreme outliers. Realistically, UBS, RBS, Bridgewater, et al. still provide a great number of jobs for the Middle to Upper Class population. Stamford has boomed over the last two decades or so, but I can easily see a retraction or decline if those anchors were to fall.
5. Enhance tourism and entertainment. Outside of the Casinos and Mystic, we don't really have many attractions that compare favorably to the nearby RI beaches, Cape Cod, etc. Nor do we have any "Big 4" sports teams. This is a hindrance throughout the entire year as Connecticut residents will flock the state to go see the Yankees, Giants, Patriots, Red Sox, etc. and/or our neighbors use our roads as a "corridor" to check out beaches or sporting events in other states.
6. Clean up Bridgeport. Given its proximity to NYC and its prominent location along the Gold Coast, it's appalling how the city is STILL in shambles. It employs one of the largest tax rates in the country with very little to show for it. It has an incredibly poor school system. And any initiatives (e.g. Steelpoint Harbor) continue to fall flat on its face. I know the City has made significant improvements over the years (i.e. cleaning up Seaside Park) but it is still a depressed city.
7. Improve Rails between NYC & New Haven. I know it is counter-intuitive to have residents work in and pay taxes to another state. However, I don't foresee New York becoming any "cheaper" to live in compared to Connecticut, and folks will always opt for cheaper real estate. We have the rail technology to get us from New Haven to Grand Central in about 1 hour...if we increased rail speeds, we can encourage the same financial growth that Stamford has enjoyed farther up the line.
Jeez, after writing this, I now feel an urge to load up like loading up my a copy of SimCity.
I agree with this post. We have opportunity to be leaders in a niche healthcare space. Need to get the major medical universities working together and sharing information in a "research triangle" sort of way. Jackson Labs in Farmington could formulate into an example of how a relationship could work. Set up incentives for for new businesses to start up around universities. I think this could help in encouraging relationships with universities and recruiting kids to stay locally.
Finance sector has potential by just being located near arguably the financial capital of the world in NYC. CT could never take that title over but it's still an opportunity to set up incentives for financial companies and poach them away from NY. We need to deal with and maximize opportunities on the realistic environment and surroundings we live within. Companies that could realistically move here without much burden... we need to give them a reason to do so.
Transportation and living. We're unique in that we have one of the busiest transit lines running across our coast line. It's an opportunity going forward to re-think transit and improving our rail lines in whatever way that is efficiently feasible. We also need to think about housing development. The daily traffic is a big problem for many. One solution has been to live near a fast form of public transportation. That seems to be the train unless we have some other type of breakthrough. So housing developments oriented around public transportation will be key. I'm seeing "olympic village" type of areas that entertain just about every need and want you could possibly have, all within distance of a rail station and around that is a village that relies on it. We can set an example here because it's a big problem in our state especially around the Metro North railroad lines and we could be the model here.
Alright well my only question is what is keeping you all from moving to Texas or Orlando or Memphis, Tennessee?.
The intangible feeling of home.
When I lived in Texas, I used to say I was more comfortable in a room full of strangers in Connecticut than a room full of friends in Texas. I like it here. I like living where "I'm from." I like bumping in to friends at Starbucks or restaurants. I like being able to see relatives nearby and in the tri-state area.
And, it's not a bad place to live at all. I would not consider going back to Texas even though we could live in 3x the house. I would not consider Florida-- My parents have "been there, done that".
If 70 degrees and sunny is too cold then I think you are living in the wrong state
What are you talking about? Here in Norwalk, we haven't even hit 70 degrees yet this year. Anyway, I still have my thermostat heat set to 73. And most of the month of April I have been wearing jackets. There were several days I even had to wear my North Face winter jacket in mid April. Looks like I'll need to wear my light jacket into the first week of May as well.
But sometimes even on a July morning on the way to work, I turn the heat on low for a few minutes. IMO 70 is slightly uncomfortable/cool. For me, room temperature is 73. Also, during the summer, whenever I leave the office and drive home, I wait about 10 minutes before turning on my AC, because it's so freekin' cold in the office that the warmth feels good.
When I lived in Texas, I used to say I was more comfortable in a room full of strangers in Connecticut than a room full of friends in Texas. I like it here. I like living where "I'm from." I like bumping in to friends at Starbucks or restaurants. I like being able to see relatives nearby and in the tri-state area.
And, it's not a bad place to live at all. I would not consider going back to Texas even though we could live in 3x the house. I would not consider Florida-- My parents have "been there, done that".
This is my home. It's really that simple.
Kind of like how I can't stand FFC and would much, much rather be living in greater Hartford again. For middle class people like myself, the quality of life there was much, much better.
But I agree with you that the best fit for most people is the area they are from. Why else wouldn't it be?
What about Houston, TX? One of my friends from New Haven is moving there as we speak. Lots of jobs, affordable housing, and allegedly good weather, too.
Kind of like how I can't stand FFC and would much, much rather be living in greater Hartford again. For middle class people like myself, the quality of life there was much, much better.
But I agree with you that the best fit for most people is the area they are from. Why else wouldn't it be?
What about Houston, TX? One of my friends from New Haven is moving there as we speak. Lots of jobs, affordable housing, and allegedly good weather, too.
First we warned you that you would not like Fairfield County but you did not listen. Second the heat in Houston is brutal. Not for me and likely not for you either. I doubt there is anyplace you will be trully happy so I suggest you just make the best of it.
Now back to the topic of the OP (which we should return to for fear of the rath of the dreaded Moderator), Connecticut's national significance is not tied to its size (we are a small state and always have been) but we are significant when it comes to our wealth. The politicans come here looking for money, BIG money and they usually get it if they are a true contender on the national level. And I don't see this changing in the foreseeable future. Jay
First we warned you that you would not like Fairfield County but you did not listen. Second the heat in Houston is brutal. Not for me and likely not for you either. I doubt there is anyplace you will be trully happy so I suggest you just make the best of it.
Now back to the topic of the OP (which we should return to for fear of the rath of the dreaded Moderator), Connecticut's national significance is not tied to its size (we are a small state and always have been) but we are significant when it comes to our wealth. The politicans come here looking for money, BIG money and they usually get it if they are a true contender on the national level. And I don't see this changing in the foreseeable future. Jay
Is this wealth and significance because of Southwest Connecticut being lucky enough to comprise the greater NYC metropolitan area? Or is a part of this significance with Connecticut because of its human capital independent of New York? If Southwest Connecticut were removed from the picture, would Connecticut still be significant on its own footing?
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