Democratic Caucus: Words of hope in Governor’s budget address

House budget hearings scheduled to continue throughout next several weeks

“Governor Bredesen offered the House a good starting point for this year’s budget discussion,” said State Representative Joe Pitts (D-Clarksville).

During a joint session of the Tennessee House and Senate on Monday, Governor Phil Bredesen delivered his draft of the state’s budget for the 2009-2010 fiscal year, including budget projections for the next four years.
“This governor has shown a commitment to being fiscally responsible and this budget looks to be in line with that commitment,” Pitts said. “What we have to do now, as legislators, is make sure we’re spending the resources we have wisely and not causing ourselves greater harm by cutting in the wrong places.” [Read more]

Bond bill facilitates industry moves to Tennessee

Legislative Wrap-Up: Companies expected to bring thousands of jobs to state over the next decade

On Monday, the House voted to bring thousands of new jobs to Tennessee with the passage of a bill that guarantees incentive grants for Volkswagen and Hemlock, two companies scheduled to build new manufacturing facilities in Chattanooga and Clarksville.

“As many states in our nation struggle to survive this current financial crisis, we in Tennessee continue to lure new job opportunities to our state and provide a light at the end of this dark economic tunnel,” said State Representative Joe Pitts (D-Clarksville). [Read more]