Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond

1/14/2010

Atlanta, GA – Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond delivered the Democratic response to Governor Perdue’s “State of the State” address at the Capitol building today. In the ten-minute speech, Thurmond called for bipartisan action address the state's unemployment crisis. 


“The people of Georgia deserve, and must have, good jobs that pay decent wages, offer reliable benefits, and provide dignity,” Thurmond said. “Our agenda for 2010 is simple. We are here to help Georgians get back to work.”


Thurmond also questioned the cumulative effect of cutting $1.6 billion in public education funding. “As a policy, it’s foolish and self-defeating. By leaving kids behind, we are closing the book on our future prosperity,” said the Labor Commissioner. He also noted that the Democratic plan for localized revenue collection would add $1 billion to state revenue while not raising taxes.


Democratic Party Chair Jane Kidd agreed with the speech, calling it an “accurate assessment” of the problems within the Capitol.


According to the Georgia Department of Labor, Georgia’s unemployment rate is above the national average of 10%. Despite this high number, Thurmond declared that solutions exist through bipartisan means. “(In the past) we have overcome our problems and become a stronger, better state."


The Commissioner added that relief might be in sight. “Democrats are ready to stand with Republican allies for the betterment of Georgia,” he said. “When (Georgia) faces a challenge head-on, we emerge stronger and better.”


Full text of the speech can be found at http://georgiademocrat.org/files/DEMOCRATIC%20RESPONSE.pdf


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