Herald-Dispatch - Candidate Johnson Tours Lawrence County Business Before Town Meeting
News Article
By David E. Malloy
Bill Johnson, the Republican candidate for Ohio's 6th Congressional district, made two stops Wednesday in Lawrence County during a campaign swing in Southeastern Ohio.
Johnson toured McSweeney's Mill and Mine Services building on County Road 15, South Point, on Wednesday afternoon before holding a town hall meeting at the Ironton Senior Center on Wednesday evening.
Joe McSweeney, chief executive officer of the company that provides equipment primarily for the deep mining business, said he's seen pretty steady growth in the past six to seven years. He currently has about 115 employees, but could use more machinists and laborers. Anyone interested can contact the office at 740-894-3353.
McSweeney said he's concerned about several proposals currently in Congress, including cap and trade legislation which could see electrical costs double. "Cap and trade would kill me," McSweeney said. "(President) Obama's attitude toward the coal industry would be devastating."
He said he also put off a planned expansion at the business due to concerns about the economy and how things like health care will impact his business.
Johnson said he opposes cap and trade and understands what McSweeney is going through.
"I'm touring the 6th District talking to business owners who have been plagued with policies that are strangling business," Johnson said. "Health care will place an $800 million burden on private businesses. Since my opponent has been in office he's had a 98.2 percent voting record with Obama."
That opponent, U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson, a Democrat, also opposed cap and trade legislation. Wilson also helped secure $3.6 million for The Point, a South Point industrial park, and has included another $700,000 appropriation in the transportation bill that has passed the House and is before the Senate.
Johnson said the nearly $1 trillion stimulus provided $238 million to the 6th District, yet created only 230 jobs. "Is that value for American taxpayers," Johnson asked. "I don't think so."
He said he wants to hear from local businesses. "I want to hear what their ideas are," he said. "Here you have a man who is ready to grow his business but is holding up because of concerns what the administration will do. We need to get the federal government off the back of businesses. We have to grow the private sector."
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