NASHVILLE — Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Raumesh Akbari, D-Memphis, released the following statement Friday after Tennessee’s primary elections set the field for November:
“Tennesseans are working hard, but too many families feel like their paychecks don’t stretch as far as they used to. Groceries, child care, health care, electricity and housing all cost more. This November, voters deserve a real conversation about what we can do to make life more affordable.
“Democrats have a plan. Repeal the grocery tax and put more than $800 million back into Tennesseans’ pockets by closing corporate tax loopholes. Make pre-K universal for 4-year-olds so children get a stronger start and parents have more options to work. Bring $1.4 billion in federal health care funding home every year to help keep hospitals open and expand coverage. Invest in public schools instead of pouring a billion dollars into private school vouchers. And pass Pot for Potholes to rebuild roads and bridges in communities across Tennessee.
“These aren’t slogans or promises we came up with for election season. They’re real bills we’ve introduced, fought for and put before the legislature — with real sponsors and real ways to pay for them. We’ve been ready to work with anyone willing to move good ideas forward.
“For too long, too many of these proposals haven’t even been given a real chance. Meanwhile, families are still paying the grocery tax, hospitals are struggling, child care is out of reach for too many parents, and communities are waiting on basic infrastructure improvements.
“That’s the choice this November. We can keep doing what we’ve been doing, or we can choose a government that works as hard as the people it represents. Democrats are ready to lower costs, strengthen public schools, expand access to health care and make sure that whether you live in Memphis, Mountain City or anywhere in between, you have a fair shot at building a good life right here in Tennessee.”
This statement is accompanied by a new post explaining these proposals. You can view that explainer here<https://tnsenatedems.substack.com/p/tennessees-affordability-election>.
