Freshman Republican State Rep. Hurley Acknowledges Importance Of Recovery Act
NASHVILLE – Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Chip Forrester applauds freshman Republican state Rep. Julia Hurley for bucking her party and supporting the federal Recovery Act, which has pumped billions of dollars and thousands of jobs into much-needed infrastructure projects across the state.
“I am encouraged by Ms. Hurley’sacknowledgment on her Facebook page that the Recovery Act was a key element to turning our nation and our state’s economy around,” Forrester said. “It’s my hope that she and some of theother newly elected members of the General Assembly will do what’s best for our state and those of us who struggle daily to make ends meet.
“Too often politicians fall prey to the whims and ill-conceived notions of the day. I’m sure her Tea Party supporters will turn on her and try to run an opponent against her in the 2012 Primary Election. But I’m confident she will pick up some Democratic votes as long as she does what is best for her community and the state as a whole.”
The Lenoir City Republican defeated long-time Democratic state Rep. Dennis Ferguson of Harriman in November.
The Recovery Act has been credited with saving or creating nearly 3 million jobs across the U.S., with more than 16,000 jobs in Tennessee alone. Nearly billion has been committed to Tennessee in Recovery Act funding.
“When the Recovery Act was passed into law nearly two years ago, our economy was losing on average about 750,000 jobs a month,” Forrester said. “Foreclosures were at record levels, lending was frozen and our financial sector was onthe brink of total disaster. Our economy has turned the corner, though.
“But we are in no way out of the woods yet. That’s why frustrated voters elected new faces in Congress and state legislatures across the nation this past November. People expect their elected officials to respond quickly to challenges. Hopefully, Ms. Hurley will understand that and focus on job creation, better schools and safer communities instead of partisan politics,” he added.
