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President Will Promote Jobs Bill During North Texas Visit

By Shelley Kofler, KERA News

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-988661.mp3

Dallas, TX – President Barack Obama will lobby for Congress to pass his American Jobs Act when he speaks at Eastfield College in Mesquite on Tuesday.

In the process the President my take a few jabs at Governor Rick Perry who claims to have the best record on job growth among Presidential candidates.

After attracting more jobs than other states, Texas unemployment reached 8.5 percent in August, the highest it's been since 1987. Now instead of having an unemployment rate that's better than other most states, Texas' rate ranks 27th.

At Eastfield the President will highlight the education jobs his bill would create through additional spending for teachers. The legislation would also cut payroll taxes for workers and increase spending on public works projects.

President Obama wants to pay for the new spending by closing corporate loopholes and limiting tax deductions for the wealthy.

The President is scheduled to speak at Eastfield at 3:00 p.m. He will also attend two fundraisers in Dallas.