Haslam Says Regulation Impedes Job Growth

Government regulation is standing in the way of job growth—that was Governor Bill Haslam’s popular message to small business owners Tuesday.

In a gathering hosted by the National Federation of Independent Business, Haslam said bureaucracy creates unnecessary financial burdens for businesses and that he wants the state to cut away red tape. Haslam told the crowd he spent the weekend in Washington, D.C. meeting with other governors. He said he found it disturbing that few federal officials have ever had their own money at stake.

“If you’ve never had capital at risk, you don’t understand the burden of regulations and how what might just be a 30-day delay to someone is real money to you. You’re not necessarily going to get a return on those dollars.”

During their turns at the podium, Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey and House Speaker Beth Harwell promoted the Governor’s tort reform legislation. It would limit legal liability for businesses.

While supportive of the proposal, some in the room doubt it will have an immediate impact on hiring. Robert Gaertner runs a local cabinetry business.

“I think it needs to be dealt with, but it’s not going to change my decision on whether I’d hire somebody or not.”

Tort reform legislation has yet to be considered by either state house.