In The Loop 12/8

The other day when I was out and about someone said to me after a robust panel discussion on CT’s fiscal condition and a heated discussion on what the next decade looks like for CT's business, that it seems as if the only thing CT can agree on is GO UConn Huskies! Funny uh?

What I think makes CT strong, is that it does have a healthy debate about the state's future, with deep concerns over where the middle class is going, and how we as a state preserve what makes us competitive with neighboring states and those warm weather states.

According to the US News report a few months ago, Connecticut was recognized in the top ten states in terms of healthcare, education, and crime categories. The categories of interest were:?5th for healthcare, 8th for education and crime and corrections; 17th for our economy, 18th for natural environment; and 24th for infrastructure.

But – yikes, while Connecticut ranked in the top half of states in most categories, it ranked 48th in fiscal stability and 44th for opportunity. The reasons cited - high cost of living, affordability, and the state’s financial situation as reasons for the lower rankings.

Of note – while this is not necessarily a ranking, Connecticut is recognized across the country as one of the original 13 colonies, where the state played a prominent role in the development of the U.S. The Hartford Courant, the nation's oldest continuously operating newspaper, was an influential voice for the rebel cause during the American Revolution and President Abraham Lincoln's Republican Party in the 1860s. Did you know that it became the fifth state in 1788 to grant its approval of the Constitution? And overall, CT ranked 16 of the 50 states. With a population of 3,626,205 - 49.5% are college-educated with Connecticut’s medium income set at $45,500.

Some of the supporting player rankings put Connecticut in a very competitive position. If only we could figure out how collectively we can leverage it and create a sustainable balance and a strong, vibrant economy with a caring and people-focused social structure. CT does well in a variety of categories such as?-?#1 in College Readiness, #2 in Patents Granted and Health Care Access, #3 in Internet Access, #4 in Health Care Affordability and Growth of Young Professionals, #4 in Low Violent Crime, #5 in Top Company Headquarters, #6 in Public Health, Hospital Quality and in Low Poverty, #7 in Educational Attainment, #8 in Household Income, #9 in Public Safety and #10 in Labor Force Participation Rate.

Interesting how if someone took all these national rankings and wove them together, we wouldn’t be doing as bad as the barroom or kitchen table conversations make Connecticut out to be. Maybe folks need to pay more attention to the two most troubling rankings of 48th in fiscal stability and 44th in opportunity. Shouldn’t the legislators and statewide officials maybe take stock in maintaining our ranking and not rearranging the chairs around the table every two years depending on who runs for public office or who is the majority party at the state capitol? Maybe if the state took a deep breath and chilled out and let the current policies settle in and get played out we could use all the top-of-the-heap rankings and see progress in elevating Connecticut higher in fiscal responsibility and opportunity for our residents.

Governor Lamont, and for the most part legislative leaders, did just that last session by doubling down on the fiscal restraints of the state’s finances while avoiding an overhaul of social programs despite the advocate rallies, media campaigns, and grassroots efforts. Every once in a while I think the adage - less is more - might be good for our state and let things level set on their own. Then, when we're in that proverbial catbird seat, we pick two to three rankings where we want to focus our collective efforts and see some real combustion in moving Connecticut higher in the categories that matter the most.

We don’t have to be #1 in everything (except of course UConn basketball!) but we can be proud that for a small state with a population of less than the top three cities in America, we are indeed punching above our weight.

2024 may be the year to take a breath so that CT can catch up on those rankings and residents can feel good about themselves again. Just a thought!