Fairfield-based General Electric has upped the ante in its criticism of the state's new business tax increases by announcing to its employees that it has begun the process of searching for a new home.

General Electric CEO Jeff Immelt sent an email to the company's Connecticut employees (obtained by the Connecticut Post), notifying them that he has "assembled an exploratory team to look into the company's options to relocate corporate HQ to another state with a more pro-business environment. This will be a thoughtful process which will take many factors, especially employee impact, into consideration. As the team makes progress, we will keep you updated."

Earlier on Thursday, State Senate Democratic Leader Martin Looney of New Haven suggested that GE's harsh criticism of the business tax increases might be a cover for Connecticut layoffs that are already planned, according to the Hartford Courant.