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Friday, July 29th, 2011

Armistead Blames ‘DC Politics’ for Bentley’s Failed Job Policies

In yet another demonstration of their repeated unwillingness to take responsibility for their own economic policy failures, the ALGOP issued a statement this week casting blame at the feet of national politicians for Governor Bentley’s failure to create jobs during his time in office.

One of President Obama’s first major acts after taking office included signing at tax cut for 95% of all working class Americans, and fter the Bush administration saw nearly 800,000 jobs lost between December 2007 and his last day in office, the Obama Administration has created or saved more than 200 million jobs during President Obama’s first term in office.

“I would love nothing more than for Governor Bentley to be as successful as Chairman Armistead claims he is at creating jobs in our state,” said Mark Kennedy, Chairman of the Alabama Democrats. “But instead, his Republican colleagues wasted their time passing bills that will put our state on the hook for millions in legal costs and talk about how they might get around to focusing on jobs next year.”

During his first legislative session, Governor Bentley oversaw a Republican-controlled legislature that passed only one piece of legislation actually intended to create jobs — legislation that has evidently not had the desired effect, as Chairman Armistead rightfully notes that unemployment rates have continued to rise across the state, particularly in Black Belt counties where unemployment has skyrocketed as high as 20 percent.

“Maybe it’s time for another commission,” Kennedy added. “I’m not sure Governor Bentley realizes his commissions and committees don’t count as new jobs.”