NASHVILLE, Tenn. – State and local officials joined forces Thursday to ask for support for a new piece of legislation aimed at getting Tennesseans back to work.
Several metro council members joined State Representative Mike Turner and Sherry Jones to drum up support for The Tennessee First Act.
The bill hopes to create jobs for working families in the state, while giving Tennessee businesses a leg up in competition for jobs that their own tax dollars help fund.
"Most of the states around us have those types of protections; we do not. We're just trying to make sure Tennesseans have a first shot at Tennessee projects, which is only fair and only the right thing to do," said Representative Turner.
The bill hopes to create incentives, like tax credits for small businesses if they hire from the state's unemployment line or getting first crack at local or state contracts.
Lawmakers hope to see the Tennessee First Act up for debate in January.
