Like all Alabamians, I am concerned with the economic recovery of our state and our nation. This is the most important issue facing our elected leaders today. It has been a rough couple of years – family-owned small businesses have been forced to shutter their doors, manufacturing facilities have laid off thousands of hard-working employees and the decline in the stock market has depleted the retirement savings of many folks. As local economies begin the recovery process, it is vital that all of us work to make Alabama a welcoming place to do business. One of the most important roles of the Attorney General is to lead the office in a manner minimizes the burden on Alabama’s businesses and economy.
During my thirty-year career as an attorney, I have spent a great deal of time helping business and industry locate and expand in Alabama. My experience includes incentive negotiations for the $1 billion Hyundai automotive plant in Montgomery, Alabama, the $80 million Hudson-Alpha Biotech Research Institute in Huntsville, Alabama, and the groundbreaking joint venture between UAB, Southern Research Institute and Jubilant Biosys of India. In addition, Southern Business & Development Magazine has named the firm that I founded one of the Top Ten Law Firms that Understand Economic Development.
My work in the economic development arena has reinforced my conviction that it is the private sector that creates and sustains jobs – not the government. Government should work to support private business and industry by providing a climate that encourages job creation, business expansion and increased investment. Unfortunately, the Democrats in Washington don’t seem to understand this. Instead of enacting policies to spur economic recovery and job creation, the Congress is pushing new taxes, new healthcare mandates, and new regulations upon small businesses and their owners. Instead of enacting a stimulus program that spurs the private sector economy, Congress set out on a plan to massively increase the size of government, leaving business to fend for itself.
Since Washington doesn’t get the message, state government must redouble its efforts to support job creation and investment. To get our economy going again, state and local governments must work hand in hand with the private sector. As Attorney General, I will support a favorable environment for starting and growing business in Alabama. I will fight to streamline regulations, cut red tape, and prevent tax increases. I will support new laws and enforce existing laws that bring new businesses and new jobs to Alabama and that encourage expansion and job creation among existing businesses. I will fight to protect our right to work law and oppose schemes to eliminate the secret ballot in union elections, and I will promote good schools that help draw businesses to our state. While protecting Alabama’s consumers is paramount, I will lead the Attorney General’s office in a manner minimizes the burden on our State’s businesses and our economy.
- Luther