Connecticut Struggles with Labor Policy: Alan Jernigan on Business Talk
Connecticut, hasn't prioritized some of the pro-worker and pro-growth policies
Connecticut’s labor policies may be holding the state back, but there’s still room to turn things around. That was the message from ALEC’s Commerce, Insurance, and Economic Development Task Force Manager Alan Jernigan, during a recent interview on Business Talk with Jim Campbell.
Jernigan joined the show to discuss ALEC’s latest publication, States That Work: A Labor Policy Roadmap Across America, which ranks all 50 states based on how worker-friendly and growth-oriented their labor laws are.
“Connecticut fell into the bottom five, finishing 46 in our ranking,” Jernigan said, explaining that the Constitution State isn’t prioritizing pro-worker and pro-growth policies.
“Some of the policies are as simple as allowing someone who’s been licensed to work in a profession in another state to come and have their license recognized by the new state,” said Jernigan. “This allows people to move across borders and contribute to the economy efficiently.”
There were, however, a few bright spots. In one category – reliance on government jobs – Connecticut ranked 14th out of 50. But that slight glimmer of promise is often overshadowed by a heavy regulatory approach that continues to limit private-sector growth. Still, Jernigan emphasized that meaningful improvement is possible if state leaders are willing to make the shift.
“It’s about giving the workers the freedom to choose, so allowing them to have the choice of whether or not to financially support a union through right to work and not feel required to do that just to keep their jobs,” Jernigan said. “It’s about promoting choice and allowing workers to find their own version of the American dream.”
Achieving that goal, he added, would require a change not just in policy, but in mindset.
“In terms of where Connecticut has been for the last several decades, you need to turn back from that mentality and thought process to the workers themselves, rather than other organizations,” he said.
In contrast, states like Arizona and Utah have found success by embracing a more open, market-driven approach. Rather than relying on heavy-handed mandates, they have advanced policies that promote worker freedom and expand individual choice. Through bold, comprehensive labor reforms, both states have not only improved conditions for workers but also created a more attractive climate for business growth and private investment.
“It really is just a different focus in these states,” Jernigan explained.
It’s also a focus Connecticut could adopt. With a dense population and shared borders, New England is uniquely positioned for mobility and opportunity – if policymakers are willing to make it easier for workers to move and thrive.
“It really just promotes that opportunity for workers to find careers, clients, and success in the field of their choice.”