This week, host Ryan Coonerty talks with Connecticut State Senator Christine Cohen. Cohen is a small business owner turned legislator who previously served on her local school board before running for the state senate following the first election of President Trump. In Hartford, she draws on her experiences as the owner of Cohen’s Bagel Company  to guide her leadership on various legislative committees, including the Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee and the Environment Committee, and now as the Co-Chair of the Transportation Committee. Her impressive record of legislative success includes leading the passage of the Connecticut Clean Air Act, enacting legislation to prevent wrong-way crashes, and securing funding for mental health crisis intervention programs for law enforcement officers. Ryan and Senator Cohen discuss the misconception that Democrats are “anti--business” and how she's pushed back on this by forwarding a pro-business agenda, including crucial work on paid leave. They also talk about the challenges of working in the state legislature at a time when hyper-partisan rhetoric dominates conversations and distracts from serving the people. Tune in to hear Senator Cohen’s advice for policymakers who want to focus on solutions and support small businesses in these uncertain economic times.

 

IN THIS EPISODE: 

• [01:04] Podcast producer, Rachel, introduces this episode where Ryan Coonerty interviews Senator Christine Cohen.

• [02:03] Senator Cohen’s journey from Cohen’s Bagel Co to the state senate.

• [05:45] Transferrable skills and areas of focus between small business and local government.

• [09:02] How Senator Cohen believes the Democratic Party can better support small business owners.

• [11:06] Paid family medical leave and her work on the Environment Committee and the Connecticut Clean Air Act.

• [15:02] How Connecticut’s transportation policy has been affected by the Trump administration.

• [19:40] Her state’s leadership is working to reduce harm and the value of a bipartisan approach.

• [24:02] Mental health support for vulnerable communities and how Senator Cohen has created an impact.

• [28:11] What drives Senator Cohen as she moves forward in government.