UTC comments motivates lawmaker talks

Hartford, Conn. (WTNH) - The remarks by United Technologies' Chief Financial Officer [and reported in the Hartford Courant] have Senator Chris Dodd and others members' of the state's congressional delegation calling for a face to face meeting with UTC base this week.

"Let's try to sit these people down and figure out what they're complaining about," said Sen. Dodd.

The comments creating the stir are that UTC wants to do more work away from its corporate home base and that anyplace 'outside of Connecticut is low cost.'

"I'm a little mystified by the comments; candidly a company that has done as well as it has under great leadership, a Connecticut workforce and those who represent their interests down here," said Sen. Dodd.

But Governor Jodi Rell tells News Channel 8 state officials have worked hard to make Connecticut attractive to UTC but she adds that it's critical that lawmakers do everything possible in the future to make Connecticut as 'business friendly' as possible.

"They're saying 'hey listen the cost of doing business is too high.' It's also families; they're saying you need to get state government in line. So now those complaining we need to take them to heart; let's look at the cost of doing business; what can we do to help them?" said Gov. Rell.

Sen. Dodd admits the climate for corporations to do business can always be improved with Connecticut being no exception but on balance.

"They've done pretty well here, I'm mystified by these comments," said Sen. Dodd.

United Technologies employs about 26,000 people here in Connecticut primarily at Pratt and Whitney, Hamilton Sunstrand, Sikorsky and Otis Elevator.