Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: SB-953
Title: AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE LEARN, WORK, PAY PROGRAM.
Vote Date: 3/22/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable Change of Reference to Appropriations
PH Date: 3/4/2021
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
The Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee.
REASONS FOR BILL:
Connecticut does not have enough highly skilled, creative, educated residents to maintain our
needed workforce. This bill will help retain residents who attend and graduate from
Connecticuts colleges and universities.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Nathan Fuerst, Vice-President for Enrollment Planning & Management at the University of
Connecticut submitted written testimony in support of this bill stating that any initiative that
creates incentive for our graduates to stay in greater numbers will be a success. He went on
to say that this bill could help UConn graduates save toward a down payment on their first
home in the state by segregating a portion of their state income tax payments for up to ten
years after they graduate.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Michele Ridolfi ONeill, Educational Issues Specialist for the Connecticut Education
Association submitted written testimony in support of the bill stating Regarding SB 953, the
proposed Learn, Work, Pay program would encourage college graduates to remain in
Connecticut, and would also help our state attract and retain new teachers.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
Jennifer Widness, President Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges submitted
written testimony regarding this bill indicating The loan reimbursement offered under Section
one of this bill is intended to counteract the brain drain and keep graduates of our public
institutions of higher education in state. She continued , a policy targeted exclusively to a
population that already stays in state at a very high rate, will not move that needle.
Ms. Widness asked that the bill be expanded to include graduates of the independent
colleges or, given limited resources, focus on retaining those graduates of in-demand
programs such as engineering, computer science, bioscience and health sciences, like
Rhode Island has done with its WaveMaker program.
She does not support removing Section 2 of the bill stating that Supporting companies to
offer student loan relief to students that stay and work in Connecticut is a win-win.
Reported by: Jeanie Phillips, Clerk Date: March 24, 2021
Page 2 of 2 SB-953


Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 12-217qq