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  • Rep. Artur Davis, a candidate for governor of Alabama, came to Cullman Saturday and spoke to the Cullman County Democratic Party. The Cullman Times

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November 16, 2009

Davis: Jobs key to state’s future

By Trent Moore The Cullman Times

CULLMAN — Congressman Artur Davis, a candidate for governor of Alabama, spoke to Cullman Democrats Saturday at the party’s monthly meeting.

Davis is currently serving his fourth term in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Alabama’s Seventh Congressional District.

“This election is about the most important campaign for governor we’ve had in a long time,” Davis said.

The current state economy, weakened by the ongoing recession, is in desperate need of help, Davis said.

“The economy in this state is in shambles,” he said. “You don’t have to read the newspaper to know that. You can just talk to your friends, or your children trying to find jobs. We thought we’d built a much firmer house, but as soon as we got hit with the storm we found out our house is not as strong as we thought.”

To help jump-start the economy, Davis said the most important thing to do is create jobs.

“There are a lot of challenges facing the next governor of Alabama,” he said. “One issue is can we get jobs to come to this state, so the people in Alabama can stay in Alabama and not have to go somewhere else to find work? Next year, we have to focus on building a strong economy, so our people can stay here.”

By creating more jobs, more money would also be created to support Alabama schools, Davis said.

“The best way to get money is to create jobs and businesses,” he said.

A strong leader can help lead the state out of these problems, Davis said.

“A leader says we can solve the budget shortfall and balance our budget with moral decisions,” he said. “We can build an economic base for the people hurting right now.”

If elected governor, Davis said he would also support the drafting of a new state constitution.

“To be a modern state we need a modern constitution, not one written for the people of 1901,” he said. “The folks who wrote that constitution got a lot of things wrong, but one thing they did get right is that Montgomery would be a place to keep the local communities in check ... When we talk constitutional reform, we’re talking about something that affects everyone. ”

Davis said there are numerous faults with the current state constitution.

“In our current constitution, a mother has to pay sales tax on baby formula,” he said. “You have to pay sales tax on over-the-counter drugs and on a loaf of bread ... At the same time, giant timber company owners pay one-fourth the property tax here than compared to surrounding states.”

Davis elaborated that the citizens of Alabama should elect delegates to attend a new constitutional convention, where a new state constitution could be drafted in approximately two years.

“Some people are concerned [a new constitution] may undo some things we like,” he said. “But, I trust the people of Alabama to elect the right delegates to make the right decisions.”



Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 225.

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