Letter: I support John Ragan's re-election in District 33. Here are just three reasons.
To the Editor:
I support Rep. John Ragan for Tennessee House District 33. Ragan is not a single-issue incumbent, but he is being challenged by single-issue challengers. For brevity, I will discuss only three of the many areas he has earned my support.
Economy
Rep. Ragan has placed Tennessee in an economically enviable position. U.S. News and World Report rankings place Tennessee first in the nation for roads, second-lowest debt in the nation, fifth most fiscally stable in the nation, sixth-best economic growth in the nation, 12th best economy in the nation; Cato Institute rankings position Tennessee fourth most economically free in the nation; and the National Conference of State Legislatures ranks Tennessee third-lowest taxed in the nation.
Education
Rep. Ragan’s work on numerous education committees is exemplary. His dedication to providing for the education of Tennessee children resulted in Tennessee moving from “one spot above the bottom” to 22nd in average academic achievement by the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP). “The State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) cited Tennessee as one of the fastest-improving states in educational achievement.”
Protection of children
Ragan achieved the outstanding educational improvements by openly defying the National Education Association (NEA) and their Tennessee branch, the TEA. This organization is in lockstep with the American Library Association.
E. Anthony T. Allen
Anderson County commissioner, District 6Oak Ridge
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Letter: Three reasons to re-elect TN Rep. John Ragan in District 33
