Tennessee’s senators – both Republicans – helped pass a portion of President Obama’s jobs bill that provides tax credits to business for hiring veterans. The vote was more about rewarding military service than spurring economic growth in Middle Tennessee.
On the eve of Veterans Day the Senate came together to approve legislation providing up to a fifty six hundred dollar tax credit for hiring an unemployed veteran and ninety six hundred dollars for hiring injured soldiers.
Up until now Republicans, such as Senator Bob Corker, have staunchly opposed Democratic efforts to create jobs. But Corker says this measure wasn’t about the government creating jobs. Rather he says it shows gratitude for military service.
“We have numbers of veterans that are coming back. Their unemployment levels are huge compared to the normal population. These are people who have sacrificed for our country and I think providing them some transition so that they know how to enter the work force is something that’s sensible.”
The measure also adds funding to an existing program that retrains out of work soldiers.
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