photo by Hollie Webb
At a press conference with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce outside LTJ Steel, Senator Lamar Alexander said, "The first thing we need to do in Washington is lift the big, red blanket of Obama rules and regulations off the free enterprise system so people can get about the business of creating jobs."
He said, "My goal for a long time in this state is to make Tennessee a place where you can create jobs and make it easier to do that."
He said the second thing we need to do is "invest in those things that enable and empower Americans to exceed," listing pell grants for students, childcare vouchers, and improvement to the transportation system.
In terms of the transportation system, he said replacing the Chickamauga Lock is an important project because it would make barge transportation easier.
He said it would also keep costs down, allowing manufacturing centers in Chattanooga to be competitive with other manufacturing centers across the country and world.
He also noted the city of Chattanooga in particular has had "some good leaders of both political parties." He specifically said Senator Bob Corker's work "helped this city become a real magnet for outstanding workers."
Senator Alexander said, "Serving in Washington doesn't require me to change my mind about anything." He said being a "Right to Work" state had long been a "distinct advantage" for Tennessee.
He said Tennessee as well as the rest of the country has the opportunity "this November to take over the United States Senate with a Republican majority to send us in a different direction."
When asked what he thought about UAW recently dropping their lawsuit, he said, "I think that the employees won the election, the UAW lost, it's time to get back in the business of making cars."
photo by Hollie Webb