Every year, the Tennessee General Assembly convenes in a joint session and invites the Governor to give an address known as the State of the State.  During this speech, the Governor typically unveils his legislative priorities, as well as his budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Recently, Governor Bill Haslam delivered his second State of the State address in Nashville.

Let me say that I have a great deal of respect for Governor Haslam and I stand ready to work with him on the major issues facing our state. And I certainly look forward to working with Governor Haslam on the most important issue facing Tennesseans – jobs.

Right now, there are nearly 270,000 Tennesseans who wake up every morning looking for work. Thousands more are underemployed, working at multiple jobs or jobs that just barely pay the rent. Forty counties in our state still have double-digit unemployment rates, including Dyer, Crockett and Lauderdale counties. The Executive and Legislative branches of state government must work together to stimulate our economy and create new jobs.

Last fall, the House and Senate Democratic Caucuses went around the state on the Tennessee Jobs Tour. We met with businesses of all sizes, from companies like AutoZone and Nissan that employ thousands to a one-man t-shirt shop in Dresden. Everywhere we went we heard the same ideas. These ideas, which are now part of the Democratic Jobs Package, aren’t complicated or partisan and they don’t cost a lot of money. They are simple solutions like a tax break for people starting a business or a sales tax holiday for small companies needing to update their equipment.

Common sense solutions like giving Tennessee businesses preference on state contracts, so your tax dollars go to create jobs here, rather than China, Mexico or another state. They are practical solutions like investing in vocational education through our Technology Centers or retraining people on unemployment with a new skill while they are receiving their benefits. These are real solutions that can turn this economy around and get Tennesseans back to work.

Jobs must be our common goal. As we introduce our Jobs Package in the legislature, I’m hopeful everyone will work together to do what is best for all Tennesseans. Jobs are not a partisan issue and neither party has all the right answers. We have to work together to find real solutions for Tennesseans who need a job.

I hope that you will contact me at 741-1980 to let me know how you feel about the issues facing our communities.

Rep. Mike McDonald (D-Portland) serves the 44th District in the Tennessee House of Representatives.