With the start of 2012, a list of new laws went into effect on January 1. These new laws include:
The Small Business Express Program provides deferrable or forgivable loans and matching grants to Connecticut-based small businesses and small manufacturers. Loan and grant amounts range from $10,000 to $250,000. The Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) Commissioner will work with eligible applicants to create packages combining the loans or grants with assistance provided under other existing programs.
The act establishes the Subsidized Training and Employment Program (STEP) within the Department of Labor (DOL) to provide eligible small businesses and small manufacturers with grants for a portion of an eligible employee’s costs of employment, including training, during the first six months of his or her employment. It also requires the labor commissioner to report on the program and allows him to adopt regulations to implement it.
Also, as of January 1, several of our state agencies have been consolidated and streamlined to improve our state government. For example, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS) have been combined into the new Department of Emergency Management and Public Protection (DESPP). Also the Department of Information Technology (DOIT) has been absorbed into the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) and the Department of Special Revenue (DRS) has been absorbed into the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP).
You can view the entire list of new laws by clicking here. Feel free to contact my office if you have questions.
