On Sept. 16, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-33) announced he scored a perfect 100 percent on the Connecticut Business and Industry Association, or CBIA, 2021 legislative scorecards reflecting key decisions on important bills proposed and voted on during the most recent legislative session running from January to June 2021. The scorecard in question centered on nine key pieces of legislation considered by lawmakers during the session; of the seven bills on which Needleman had a chance to vote, he voted in line with what the CBIA reported would benefit job growth and the state’s post-pandemic recovery.

“We all know that Connecticut needs to rebuild a strong economy strong in the wake of the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and that our state needs to support the needs of workers and businesses alike,” said Needleman. “We cannot have a healthy economy without businesses that can grow and succeed, nor can we have a healthy economy where workers are underpaid and underappreciated. I’m proud to be recognized for my support of state businesses and workers as I strive to balance my work in the Senate to meet the needs of both groups.”

The CBIA 2021 scorecard took nine topics into account with positions variously supported or opposed by the group. Legislators were awarded passing grades for supporting measures including changes to the state’s public-private partnership statute, which will expand the capabilities of businesses working with the state to address key infrastructure needs; reforms to unemployment compensation to modernize and update the system; and improving cybersecurity standards in businesses including adopting nationally recognized standards. They were also graded based on support or opposition of bills changing labor standards in the state. Three of the nine bills on the scorecard were never taken up by the House or Senate and four didn’t pass both chambers, meaning they were not signed into law.