President Obama gave a speech at the Amazon Fulfillment Center in Chattanooga, on the subject of job creation and corporate tax reform.
Congressman Fleischmann said, "I am pleased the President is again focusing on jobs and tax reform and it's fitting that he has chosen Tennessee to approach these topics. Tennessee, thanks to our state leadership, low taxes and right to work policies, has outpaced the nation in manufacturing jobs. There are certainly some tips on creating a pro-growth environment he could gather while in our great state.
"The President’s corporate tax offer today almost identically mirrors his 2012 proposal that never amounted to anything more than words in a speech.
“In today’s speech the President mentioned a lower corporate tax rate and an increased focus on manufacturing jobs and infrastructure. However, until he does more than give a speech on these issues I’ll remain in the ‘believe it when I see it’ category. In his past two budgets the President has completely cut all funding to the Chickamauga Lock and his overly burdensome policies have continued to impede actual job growth. I do hope to see real tax reform in the near future, and a true shift to pro-growth policies from this administration. It’s something I believe all Americans can agree we need.”
Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Chris Devaney said, "Today's visit by President Obama is a great opportunity for him to see the successes of Republican principles in action. While America's slow recovery continues, Tennessee is outpacing much of the country with stronger GDP growth and stronger personal income growth. Job creators have taken notice of what is happening in Tennessee and have continued to rank Tennessee as one of the best states to do business in. We hope that the President is able to take Tennessee's current blueprint for success back to Washington because this is what America should look like."
Jim Brown, Tennessee state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, said, “I don’t think the president gets small business. This was a major policy speech, and he said next to nothing about what really drives the U.S. economy.
“What concerns our members is that by focusing on tax relief for giant corporations, the president’s going to put an even greater tax burden on the shoulders of entrepreneurs and small, family-run businesses. That might make Wall Street happy, but it’s not going to help Main Street or the middle-class families the president says he’s trying to help.
“The fact is over 75 percent of all small businesses are taxed at the individual rate. By focusing on corporations, the president will hurt the innovators, the job creators, and the leading pillars of our communities. Any discussion of tax reform must include both corporate and individual rates, so there’s a level playing field for all businesses.”
“We are so proud that President Obama chose Tennessee to present his vision for cutting taxes and investing in job growth,” said House Democratic Caucus Chairman Mike Turner. “Under the leadership of Governor Bredesen, House Democrats worked to create a mix of incentives and lower taxes that attracted companies like Amazon and Volkswagen to Tennessee. We are happy to see President Obama use this model of success as the basis for his proposals to expand the middle class.”
“I can’t say enough how great it was to have President Obama choose Chattanooga to present his plan to grow the middle class,” said Rep. Joanne Favors (D-Chattanooga). “Instead of launching attacks, President Obama is offering solutions. I truly hope that Republicans will put aside their partisan differences and work with the President to help the people of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and the United States. President Obama offered bipartisan solutions for expanding our economy, now we just need bipartisan leadership to see it gets done.”
Congressman Scott DesJarlais, M.D. said, "The president’s speech today clearly reflects he still does not grasp how jobs are created and an economy is rebuilt. His misguided approach of more government intervention might help create jobs in Washington, D.C., but not here in Tennessee.
“One example of this was the president’s call for reforming our corporate tax code, something I agree with. But where Republicans want to reform our tax code so businesses can keep more of their money to reinvest in the form of new jobs, the president stated he wants to send that money back to Washington to have his bureaucrat friends dole it out.
“Tennessee businesses are tired of the Washington knows best approach that has been embraced by this president. They are not asking anything of government except for government to get out of the way.”