KEVIN HALPERN, Courier Co-Editor
Wednesday, October 20, 2010 7:13 am
|
"It is time for a new day to dawn in the 46th district," Pody said. "We need less regulations and less taxes and the jobs will come."
Bone has represented the 46th District, which includes Cannon County, in the Tennessee State House of Representatives since 1997.
"The major issue facing the 46th District and Cannon County now and the next two years is industrial recruitment, jobs," Bone said.
"I will continue to work with the Cannon County government and agencies and the Dept. of Economic and Community Development to attract industry. Also, I believe in working with the Tennessee Economic and Community Development's Three-Star Program which will enhance our opportunities to receive grants and strengthen our economic growth."
Bone has worked as a farmer and in residential construction. He has also served in the Tennessee Air National Guard, but is now retired.
Bone earned his AA from Cumberland University in 1958. He went on to receive his BS in Agriculture from the University of Tennessee in 1961. He is chairman of the Agriculture Committee in the House of Representatives.
During his term in the General Assembly, Bone has been a strong supporter of farmers, teachers and state employees.
"I believe that my experience in local government and working with the different state departments and agencies is a benefit to our community and my service to the district," Bone said. "As a member of the General Assembly, I am qualified to serve the people of the 46th District. I will continue to use my contacts throughout the state to enhance the lifestyle for the people of our community."
Pody, the owner of a small business which specializes in financial planning and insurance solutions, has been a resident of Wilson County for 25 years.
He believes Bone has spent too much time worrying about the welfare of state government, and not enough finding new business for the district and helping those which are already here grow.
"The most critical issue facing the 46th District is how can we get good jobs here," Pody said "We currently have around 10 percent unemployment in our district. The way we can solve this is through private business growing and hiring new employees.
"Government is not the way to create jobs. Any jobs government creates are paid for by you and I. We need to address this situation in two ways. First, the businesses could get an incentive to hire new employees. This would also help stop some of the jobs that are leaving our area. Next, I know what it takes to get businesses to relocate to our area. We have a quality workforce here. We just need to give everyone an opportunity to work."
Pody also wants to take a hard look at reforming and eliminating some of the state's programs to help make up part of the estimated $1.5 million budget shortfall projected for the next fiscal year.
"The other concern we have is our budget," Pody said. "I have paid the increasing taxes and fees government continues to place on the backs of its citizens. I believe this tax burden has reached and exceeded the limits taxpayers can bear. I believe the current budget shortfall in the state should be met by prioritizing Tennessee's needs and not raising Tennessean's taxes. Some programs need to be made more efficient and ineffective programs need to be eliminated."
ON THE WEB:
http://www.electstrattonbone.com/
http://www.markpody.com/