A call for a global coordination on corporate tax rates, new CDC disinfection guidelines, a small business antitrust coalition, a brisk pace in Connecticut’s vaccination efforts, a new advocacy group for Connecticut’s manufacturing sector, and a new hire at CCAT are among the top business news items this morning.
National
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is calling for a coordinated global effort to establish a minimum corporate tax rate. In a speech to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Yellen said creating a floor for this tax rate avoids a “race to the bottom” in which nations lower their rates (and undermine government revenue) in an attempt to attract businesses.
Business trends
The Centers for Disease Control is relaxing its disinfection recommendations, saying COVID-19 is rarely transmitted from surfaces and that cleaning with soap and water suffices in most circumstances. The CDC says disinfecting high-contact surfaces such as doorknobs and shared bathrooms can still be beneficial, especially in an area where COVID-19 rates are high, vulnerable populations use the space, or there is no easy option for washing hands.
Several small business owners have formed a coalition calling for more stringent antitrust laws against companies like Amazon. The coalition is seeking steps such as preventing major online marketplaces from selling their own products in competition with other sellers and stronger enforcement of existing antitrust laws.
Connecticut
With COVID-19 vaccine eligibility opening to the general adult population on April 1, state officials say Connecticut is on track to vaccinate nearly three-quarters of eligible residents by the end of the month. Currently, 1.33 million people have received a first dose and 809,663 have been fully vaccinated.
A new manufacturing advocacy group is looking to strengthen the industry in Connecticut’s south-central region. The South-Central Manufacturing Partnership was launched last month and will pursue goals such as building on the existing strength of the aerospace industry in the region and pursuing efforts to attract new opportunities.
The Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology has hired Dr. Jacquelynn Garofano as its chief technology officer. Garofano takes on the role after nearly a decade with Raytheon Technologies and two decades in the materials research field.