State House of Representatives – 48th District
Matt H. Ferry
Matt H. Ferry
Democrat
Tell us about your campaign.
I am a life long resident of Rutherford county and graduate of MTSU. I think our state and county have a lot to offer, however, Tennesseans are struggling with the rising cost of living including groceries, healthcare, education, transportation, and housing. We need to keep Tennessee affordable for working families. Instead our state is making harder by underfunding public schools, creating public infrastructure shortfalls, ignoring the lack of affordable housing, failing to expand the access to broadband internet services, building toll lanes and giving the contract to a company from outside the state, and neglecting to expand access to rural healthcare services. All this boils down to the fact that our tax dollars are not being used to benefit the average resident of the state, instead the state government is using our tax dollars to subsidize wealthy individuals and corporations. Which is why we also need to get big money out of politics by enacting new public campaign financing laws, strengthening donor disclosure laws, and closing coordination loopholes.
In your own words, describe the responsibilities of the office you are seeking.
The responsibilities for a member of the state House of Representatives include drafting legislation, debating the bills, voting on bills, serving on committees, managing state budgets, and setting tax policy. Our representatives need to be a liaison between constituent groups and state agencies, and try to solve any issues they may have. They need to be able to represent local interests by listening to the public and acting according to their concerns. Another important duty is to monitor how the state departments and the executive branch implement laws and spend allocated funds. And make sure that those funds get to the intended recipients. For example, the state has failed to allocate all the federal TANF money intended for families in need. When elected, I will push to make sure they receive those funds.
What are your priorities for this office?
1. Establish clear medical and pharmaceutical pricing transparency so consumers can compare costs. 2. Restrict or ban the use of AI-driven pricing software that artificially inflates rents and consumer goods. 3. Enact laws against unfair price gouging or manipulation at supermarkets and essential retailers. 4. Accept Medicaid Expansion which would drive down healthcare prices and keep rural hospitals from closing. 4. Disbursing the federal aid that the state refuses to spend. One of many examples: Millions of TANF(Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) dollars have still not been disbursed. 5. Fight for an more equitable tax structure that benefits all Tennesseans, not just wealthy individuals and corporations. 6. Raise the Minimum Wage and tie it to inflation. 7. Advocate for policies that protect the right to organize and bargain collectively. 8. Require companies that receive state tax breaks, grants, or government contracts to pay their workers a true living wage. 9. Create or boost state Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC) to put more money back into the pockets of low-income workers and their families. 10. Work on laws that make housing, healthcare, and child care more affordable so a lower paycheck goes further.
Describe your qualifications for this office.
I believe I have the skills needed to be a successful lawmaker. I have advocated for a number of issues including affordable healthcare, gun violence prevention, environmental protections, and other social justice issues. I have studied how the state writes and implements legislation. I believe I have the focus and determination to fight for policies that benefit Tennesseans. I work well with others even if we don’t see eye to eye on every issues. A good legislator should find ways to work with their colleagues and come to a consensus on the important issues that affect the residents of the state. I have also worked with dozens of nonprofits in Middle Tennessee where I have served in a variety of roles including Board Member, Treasurer, Vice President, and President.
