Under Deal, Georgia Becomes ‘American Idle’

Georgia is 49^th in job creation under Nathan Deal; one of only seven states to lose jobs in 2011

Georgia – New economic numbers show that Governor Nathan Deal has failed to deliver on his campaign pledge to bring new jobs to Georgia. Latest figures show Georgia is one of only seven states to lose jobs in 2011 and ranks 49^th out of fifty states in job creation since Deal took office.

Since January, Georgia has lost 8,200 jobs, more than any other southern state.  Traditional state rivals such as Alabama and South Carolina are now adding jobs, while the Deal administration presides over a flurry of job losses.

This job loss stands in contrast to the pledges of then-candidate Deal, who promised to “kick-start the economy” while making job creation the theme of his campaign.

In October of 2010, Deal spokesman Brian Robinson stated that the future governor would “serve as Georgia’s top ambassador and salesman to bring new jobs here.” Yet, more than 470,000 Georgia citizens remain out of work, comparable to the combined populations of Athens, Augusta, Macon and Warner Robins.

Instead of addressing this issue, the Deal administration continues to blame Democrats at the national level.  When asked if federal politics were inhibiting job creation in Georgia, Labor Commissioner Mark Butler stated that a “lack of leadership in Washington is a contributing factor to the overall lack of confidence in the (Georgia) economy.” Yet Butler’s explanation doesn’t address why Georgia has lost more jobs since Deal’s inauguration than nearly every other state in America.

“These losses are under a Republican Administration that promised job creation. Georgians deserve better,” said Mike Berlon, Democratic Party of Georgia Chair.

“Instead of avoiding responsibility for the lack of job creation and criticizing any plans that aren’t their own to jump start the economy, we challenge republicans to put together a plan for job creation that makes sense and puts Georgians back to work.”

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