Politics & Government

Ritter Makes Case for Bio-Science Bill

The House bill would promote bioscience, pharmaceutical industry for southeastern Connecticut

 

In more news from the office of Rep. Betsy Ritter (D-Montville), she testified before the legislature’s Commerce Committee in support of HB 5460, An Act Establishing a Plan for Emerging Bioscience and Pharmaceutical Businesses in Southeastern Connecticut.

The legislation, which Ritter co-sponsored, would require the Department of Economic and Community Development to develop a plan to facilitate the growth of a bioscience and pharmaceutical presence in southeastern Connecticut.

Find out what's happening in Montvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The bill is supported by the entire legislative delegation from southeastern Connecticut and for very good reasons, Rep. Ritter said in her written testimony (below is full transcript). 

“Today southeastern Connecticut presents an enormous potential growth opportunity for us in this area.  Many highly educated, successful researchers and innovators remain here.  They are committed to staying in Connecticut to raise their families and stay in their communities.  They are highly motivated entrepreneurs, ready to continue their work on their own,” she said. 

Find out what's happening in Montvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

 

Testimony Ritter delivered to the Committee on Commerce March 12:

...I am here to support HB 5460 AN ACT ESTABLISHING A MODEL PLAN FOR EMERGING BIOSCIENCE AND PHARMACEUTICAL BUSINESSES IN SOUTHEASTERN CONNECTICUT.

Many thanks to the committee for raising this bill.  As you can see, it is supported by the entire legislative delegation from southeastern Connecticut and for very good reasons.  For decades, southeastern Connecticut was the home of pharmaceutical research, discovery and manufacture in the state and the region.  Pfizer’s presence and incredible work led the state in this sector and was an enormous driver of our state’s economy.  Others followed, thrived and built a vibrant and reliable business sector.  As the economy changed, beginning in the 1990s, first pharmaceutical manufacturing and then, more recently, certain research and discovery divisions left Groton as Pfizer adapted to new challenges and competition in the field.

 

Today southeastern Connecticut presents an enormous potential growth opportunity for us in this area.  Many highly educated, successful researchers and innovators remain here.  They are committed to staying in Connecticut to raise their families and stay in their communities.  They are highly motivated entrepreneurs, ready to continue their work on their own.  Many have already had significant success on their own, many are interested in starting and many are searching for partnerships that will best utilized their talents.  This bill will help put it together, create opportunities to work within the governor’s plans to expand research opportunities at the University of Connecticut and create a highly synergistic environment to support our shared goals in bioscience and pharmaceuticals.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here