Connecticut House Bill HB06880

Connecticut 2015 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/23/15
• Refer: 2/23/15
• Report Pass: 3/12/15

Caption

An Act Concerning Large Corporations Receiving State Assistance And Executive Compensation.

Impact

If enacted, HB 06880 will significantly affect state-assisted large corporations by potentially denying them the ability to receive various financial aids if their pay structures are deemed excessive. This measure could serve as a deterrent against exorbitant executive salaries while encouraging companies to reconsider their compensation packages in favor of a more equitable approach. There are implications for the state's economic development strategy, as businesses will need to comply with these new requirements to remain eligible for state support, affecting their operational decisions.

Summary

House Bill 06880 aims to impose restrictions on large employers that receive state assistance, particularly focusing on the compensation of top executives relative to their employees’ wages. The bill defines 'employers' as any entity employing fifty or more individuals in the state and specifies that any company providing compensation to executives at a rate fifty times greater than the average employee cannot qualify for state assistance beyond a million dollars. The intent behind this legislation is to promote wage equality and restrain excessive executive compensation where public funds are involved.

Contention

The consideration of HB 06880 has raised various points of contention among lawmakers. Supporters argue that it fosters fairness in the labor market and utilizes taxpayer money conservatively without endorsing inflated corporate salaries. They contend that by linking state assistance to executive pay, it encourages companies to invest more in their workforce rather than in excessive executive compensation. On the other hand, opponents may view these restrictions as an impediment to attracting businesses willing to invest in the state, fearing it could drive away corporations that favor higher compensation for their executives as an incentive to operate in Connecticut.