Connecticut is a small state, with a population now equal to about 1% of the population of the nation, but Connecticut has often punched above its weight.
Connecticut Yankee Pedlars spread throughout the colonies in pre-Revolutionary War days, carrying with them both New England culture, and the early form of an economy that became based on manufacturing and shipping.
Roger Sherman made pivotal contributions both to the Declaration of Independence (he was on the drafting committee with Thomas Jefferson) and to the Constitution – he introduced the Connecticut Compromise that kept the Convention together on its most crucial issue.
Eli Whitney (cotton gin, interchangeable parts) and Samuel Colt (revolvers, rifles) ware just two Connecticut people who influenced American history through their inventions.
And today Connecticut is a leader in manufacturing – United Technologies, Electric Boat and Sikorsky Aircraft all produce some of the most advanced manufactured products in our economy.
But, Connecticut is not a leader in every walk of life.
The economy of the state has been a persistent challenge, with growth in jobs and wages a particular concern, but with progress in recent years.
Connecticut is experiencing the effects of climate change, especially along its coast on Long Island Sound, where rising sea levels have led to flooding and the deterioration of coastal ecosystems.
And, Connecticut has some of the most restrictive electoral laws in the nation, more restrictive than some of the states that are now under attack on that issue.
Connecticut Compact will focus attention on these issues – to educate the public about them, to work with stakeholders and other interested parties to develop solutions that make sense for the state, and to advocate for them in the court of public opinion.