Esty, Hoyer Hold Sequestration Discussion in Farmington

Submitted release

Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (CT-5) was joined by House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer this afternoon for a roundtable discussion at Farmington Town Hall on the impact of sequestration for Connecticut families, small businesses, and non-profits.

Esty and Hoyer heard from leaders in labor, small business, government, health care, education, and social services from across the 5th District and Connecticut. The participants discussed many of the different ways sequestration could impact a wide variety of sectors of Connecticut’s economy and harm the livelihoods of people across the state.

“I’m grateful to everyone who provided their insights today into the consequences for real people here in Connecticut and to Mr. Hoyer for joining us to discuss this critical issue,” Esty said. “As much as I love being back in Connecticut, Congress should be in session right now. This is about people’s jobs and people’s lives. Sequestration will have real and dire consequences for Connecticut. We need to remove this self-inflicted threat to our economy and have a serious conversation about deficit reduction.”

"I was pleased to join Congresswoman Esty today to highlight the significant impact sequestration's arbitrary and irrational cuts will have on communities in Connecticut and across the nation,” Hoyer said. “Small business owners and middle-class families will be hard-hit by cuts to education, infrastructure, and other critical areas.

"Those who work in the defense industry will be particularly hard hit by spending cuts to the Defense Department that our military leaders have warned could put our national security at risk. I continue to urge Republicans to work with Democrats to find a balanced solution to avert sequestration before it takes effect, and I want to thank Congresswoman Esty for her work to draw attention to the human cost behind these cuts."

According to a study by the George Mason University Center for Regional Analysis, Connecticut could lose 41,942 jobs as a result of sequestration.

The participants included:

• Fmr. Congressman Jim Maloney – President and CEO of the Connecticut Institute for Communities
• State Representative Brian Becker – Connecticut State Representative (19th Assembly District)
• State Representative Mike Demicco – Connecticut State Representative (21st Assembly District)
• Todd Berch – Connecticut AFL-CIO
• Beverly Brakeman – Political and Legislative Representative for UAW Region 9A 
• Michael Clute – President of Ward Leonard Electric Company, Inc 
• Pete DePasquale – Manager of Government Relations for Praxair
• Sheldon Dill – President of the Cheshire Chamber of Commerce
• Rocco Ferraro – CFO of Ward Leonard Electric Company, Inc
• Bob Gunther – Senior Vice-President of Public Affairs for Webster Bank
• John Harrity – President of the Connecticut State Council of Machinists
• John Hogarth – Director of Senior Affairs for the City of Meriden
• Doug Johnson – Vice-President of Operations at Marion Manufacturing, Inc
• Steve Karp – Executive Director of the National Association of Social Workers Connecticut Chapter
• Edith Karsky – Executive Director of the Connecticut Association for Community Action
• Sal Luciano – Executive Director of AFSCME Council 4
• Dr. Salome Raheim – Dean of the University of Connecticut School of Social Work
• Dave Roche – President of the Connecticut State Building & Construction Trades Council
• JoAnn Ryan – President & CEO of the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce
• Dr. Tom Samph – Chancellor & CEO of Post University
• Jeff Shaw – Director of Public Policy for the Connecticut Association of Nonprofits
• Don Thompson – President & CEO of StayWell Health Center