In the News

President Obama delivered his job creation address to a joint session of Congress Thursday night, laying his plan to spur job creation and jumpstart a stalling economy.

Part of the plan included tax cuts for working Americans and small businesses who hire more workers. He also included plans to help homeowners refinance their mortgages and proposed reducing some regulations on businesses.

WSLS talked with all three of our local congressmen after the speech. Reps. Morgan Griffith (R-Salem), Bob Goodlatte (R-Roanoke Co.), and Robert Hurt (R-Chatham) all said they found some areas of common ground with the president, especially on cutting regulations.

But, President Obama’s plan for temporary tax cuts, was met with more skepticism.

Rep. Griffith said, “In this speech on the one hand he's proposing some tax cuts, on the other hand he's going to propose tax increases and in some cases its the same people.  Because he's going to cut taxes on corporation, most corporations are owned by the wealthy, but he's going to increase the taxes on the wealthy. So there's some inconsistencies there.”

When asked if he was a fan of the tax cuts, Rep. Goodlatte said, “We'll have to see the specific recommendations and how they're paid for but I am most concerned right now about the enormous deficit that the federal government is running and I want to most see the federal government reigning in spending and reigning in unnecessary costly harmful regulations.”

And, Rep. Hurt said. “I am one who believes that the more of what people make the more that they keep of what they make I think is better so again I'm looking forward to looking at the details but generally speaking i think to the extent we can lessen the tax burden on people working in this country on the people who are what I like to call the job creators the businesses in this country, and the farmers in this country, I think that’s a good place to start.”

Rep. Hurt predicted that Obama’s Jobs Creation Plan will not pass as is. He said if it passes it will be with amendments.

Click HERE to read more.