Archive for January, 2010

I’ve been thinking about the President’s State of the Union address last night, and again I’m reminded how it doesn’t take much to understand that the issues that worry Tennesseans and the American people the most are jobs, jobs, and jobs. The change that’s needed in Washington is Americans need to see results and not just hear rhetoric.

Tennesseans are looking for real solutions to the issues that are affecting their lives. Washington has taken its eye off the ball. Congress is spending us into oblivion, and the current administration is relying on experts to run our economy who have no practical experience to draw upon.

Bill

Some exciting news for Clinton…  Confluence Solar’s investment marks the third major solar energy business investment in a year for Tennessee.  With the state’s unemployment rate jumping to almost 11% in December, my goal as governor will be to create high quality jobs in every region of this great state.

In fact, a newly released study from the Business & Economic Research Center at MTSU demonstrates the potential of another region of the state.  After reading the report, here is what stood out to me:

• Nearly 33% of the labor force in a 7-county region in Southern Middle Tennessee are either unemployed or underemployed
• A number of workers who are actively looking for employment are highly skilled

This means we have an incredibly valuable asset in this region – a trained workforce looking for jobs.  As a part of my plan to make Tennessee the #1 state in the Southeast for high quality jobs, I will employ regional economic development strategies that leverage each region’s existing assets.  This region and its valuable workforce is a perfect example.

Bill

Click here to read the full study from the Business & Economic Research Center at MTSU

Mayor Bill Haslam called the national healthcare legislation moving through Congress an unacceptable, unfunded mandate on Tennessee, and called on President Obama and Congress to halt the current legislation.

“Scott Brown’s victory last night was the result of hard work and determination, but it was also a repudiation of the Washington, DC establishment that is completely out of touch with the American people,” Haslam said.

“The current healthcare legislation is a symptom of the larger problem,” Haslam continued. “Washington needs to listen to the people. We’re tired of the spending, and we’re tired of Washington sending us the bill for their bad ideas.”

“Families are hurting, struggling to make ends meet, and the government needs to remember that. We need to stop the spending and tighten the purse strings,” Haslam said. “We have to get the budget under control, not expand our country’s debt by trillions of dollars.”

“Tennesseans are tired of politicians’ ‘we know better than you’ mentality,” said Mark Cate, campaign manager. “That’s why Bill travelled more than 45,000 miles to all 95 counties last year. That’s why he and Crissy are going door to door in neighborhoods across the state, listening to what’s most important to Tennesseans.”

Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “The time is always right to do what is right.” Today, as we celebrate a man who devoted his life’s work to causes that encouraged us to do what is right, I can’t think of a better time to honor his words.

As you know, a massive earthquake struck the nation of Haiti, causing catastrophic damage inside and around the capital city of Port-au-Prince. The United Nations has estimated that three million people have been affected, and more than 300,000 left homeless. While relief efforts have begun, the call for help is still ringing.

For the next 48 hours, my campaign will not solicit any funds for the campaign. Instead we ask that any monetary contribution you or your loved ones were planning to donate, to please give in support of those who need our help in Haiti. It is a call to action, a call that resonates closely with the values and convictions we all share.

Our office has a listing of various organizations already mobilized on the ground, and if you have any questions as to how or where to make your donation to Haiti, my campaign office stands ready to help.

Thanks,
Bill

Education reform has been critical to Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam’s campaign since he began running, and Thursday night’s bipartisan forum put on by the State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) signified its importance to the future of Tennessee.

“Last night, Tennesseans won because the first gubernatorial forum focused on one of the most critical issues facing our great state,” said Haslam today. “Education reform is central to my plan to make Tennessee the Number One location in the Southeast for high quality jobs.”

Before joining more than 200 supporters at a post-forum rally, the Knoxville Mayor highlighted his executive experience in the private and public sectors during the bipartisan forum at Belmont University Thursday night, hitting key points of his education priorities.

Haslam cited his time as Knoxville’s mayor, saying any education reform will take courage and experience. “Courage because any time change is involved there’s pushback, and there will be pushback on this,” Haslam said. “It will take executive experience.”

Haslam encouraged educators and administrators to use Tennessee’s extensive student data to improve the educational experience because every child deserves a great principal and a great teacher.

“We use that data to say – like a doctor would if a patient is sick – ‘Now that we know what the issue is, how do we intervene?” Haslam continued.

Haslam said teachers must be treated like professionals and given feedback on their performance. He said principals set the tone for the institution, and the state could leverage existing resources to set up principal leadership academies to help improve efficiency and effectiveness.

“The quality of the leader determines the quality of the institution,” Haslam said.

On Wednesday, we reached the one year mark since Crissy and I traveled the state to announce my plan to run for governor.  What a year it has been, and I want to personally thank you for all of your hard work in helping us get from the starting line to the great position we are in today.  To cap off the special day, Crissy and I stopped by the State Election Commission to pick up my petition to officially run for Governor of this great state, and Crissy was the first one to sign my petition.

We’ve really enjoyed our travels this past year, talking to Tennesseans on their front porches, in their offices and on town squares.  As we begin this new year, we are excited to meet more great people and are looking forward to having real discussions of the most pressing issues Tennesseans are facing – the need for good jobs, managing our state’s budget, and improving education.  I invite you to read our 2009 report card - our way of quantifying the work we’ve done over this past year.

This has truly been a team effort, and I sincerely appreciate all you’ve done and continue to do to support my bid for governor.  I look forward to seeing you on the trail in 2010.

Today, Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam marked the one year anniversary of the start of his campaign for Tennessee Governor and released a campaign report card for 2009.

Haslam traveled more than 45,000 miles across Tennessee in 2009, made more than 600 county visits, and is the only candidate for Tennessee Governor to visit every county.

“Crissy and I have really enjoyed this past year, talking to Tennesseans on their front porches, in their offices and on town squares,” said Haslam.  “We’re excited about this new year, and look forward to a real discussion of the issues that Tennesseans care about most – good jobs, managing our state’s budget, and improving education.”

“The numbers speak for themselves,” said Mark Cate, Campaign Manager. “Bill Haslam has visited every county, he’s built the best grassroots network, he’s raised the most money, he’s knocked on the most doors.  Bill Haslam is the hardest working candidate in the race.”

“Crissy and I have met so many new friends on the campaign trail, and we’ve heard so many stories from Tennesseans who have lost their jobs, or who don’t have as good a job as they had two years ago,” continued Haslam.  “Those are people we won’t forget when I’m elected Governor.  We’ll work hard every day to bring good jobs to Tennessee, to keep the good jobs we have now, and to be a good steward of your tax dollars.”

“Bill and Crissy are doing this for the right reason – because they love Tennessee and want to make it an even better place to live and raise a family,” continued Cate.  “Tennesseans know this election is about our future, and Bill Haslam is the right leader with the right temperament, the best ideas, and the proven executive experience to lead our state through these very difficult times.”

Bill Haslam is the two term Mayor of Knoxville, re-elected in 2007 with 87% of the vote.  A hardworking public servant, he lead Knoxville to become one of the top ten metropolitan areas for business and expansion, while reducing the city’s debt, tripling the rainy day fund, and bringing property taxes to the lowest rate in 50 years.  An executive leader with a proven record of success, he helped grow his family’s small business from 800 employees into one of Tennessee’s largest companies with more than 14,000 employees.  His combination of executive and public service experience makes him uniquely qualified to be Tennessee’s next Governor.  Bill is the right person at the right time to lead Tennessee.

Click here to read 2009 Campaign Report Card