January 26, 2007                                                                                    

Getting on with the People’s Business

Dear Friends, 

The “organizational session” of the 105th General Assembly concluded Saturday, January 20, following the inauguration of Tennessee’s 48th Governor, Phil Bredesen, for his second term. 

As the State Senate’s new Majority Leader, I was honored to escort the Governor to the podium where he delivered an optimistic speech emphasizing the importance of family and education during his last term. 

Sitting behind our new Republican Lt. Governor and Speaker of the Senate, Ron Ramsey, together on the platform with the last four Governors of Tennessee, U.S. Senators Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker, and other elected officials, I reflected upon all that has recently changed for the better. 

First, there is a new face to Republican Leadership in the Senate. We have elected a diverse team evenly representing the three grand divisions of the state: Speaker Ramsey from East Tennessee, Senator Diane Black as our new Caucus Chairman from Middle Tennessee, and yours truly from West Tennessee. Senator Black is the first Republican female Caucus Chair in Tennessee history, and she will distinguish herself and our Caucus in many positive ways during the next two years. 

Second, Speaker Ramsey has appointed Republicans to chair seven of nine standing committees with Republican majorities on each of the nine committees: Finance, Randy McNally of Oak Ridge; Commerce, Steve Southerland of Morristown; Transportation, Jim Tracy of Shelbyville; State and Local, Bill Ketron of Murfreesboro; Judiciary, Mae Beavers of Mt. Juliet; General Welfare, Rusty Crowe of Johnson City; and Education, Jamie Woodson of Knoxville. 

Some things will remain the same, however.  The location of our legislative offices on the third floor of the War Memorial Building in Nashville will not change until we can do so without disrupting our primary responsibility:  passage of a new balanced budget within existing revenues. 

Some “political insiders” anticipated that we would move to evict the Democrat Minority from their offices downstairs in Legislative Plaza. While Speaker Ramsey has properly moved into the Lieutenant Governor’s office there, the Majority members will remain upstairs for now opting to avoid the expense and disruption inherent in moving 33 senators and staff without adequate time or appropriate plans just for the sake of moving. The increasing number of Republican Senators and Chairmen will likely require a move to expanded office space before long, but present accommodations are sufficient to carry on with little more than rearranging some furniture and some fresh paint for now.  

As one member succinctly put it, “What’s the rush? We have more important work to do.” 

It is with that very practical approach to governing that I look forward to leading our Senate during the next two years of the 105th General Assembly.

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Norris Elected to Republican Majority Leader Post

NASHVILLE --- State Senator Mark Norris, (R-Collierville), was elected by fellow Senate Republicans to serve as the Senate Majority Leader.

The Majority Leader serves as the chief officer of the Republican Party in the Senate, representing the Caucus in all matters affecting state government.  The Leader also serves as the chief negotiator with the Executive Branch and Democratic leadership.

“The changes taking place now are unprecedented for Republicans in Tennessee,” Norris said. “We ratified the Republican majority in the Senate with Ron Ramsey as Speaker and now have the opportunity to move the Senate in a new direction.”

“I look forward to working with the Administration and those legislators across the aisle to further our goals and continue our work,” Norris said.

The Majority Leader is also active in the political affairs of the party, and, along with other leaders, provides direction for Caucus legislative initiatives.

Norris also serves as Chairman of the Economic Development, Transportation and Cultural Affairs Committee of the 16-state Southern Legislative Conference. Additionally, Norris chaired the Senate Transportation and Safety Committee during the 104th General Assembly.

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 Norris Names Senior Policy Advisor

  NASHVILLE --- Republican Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville) has named Liz Alvey to the position of Senior Policy Advisor.  She succeeds Matt King who was recently named Chief of Staff by Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey.  

Norris said Alvey’s training in the law and legislative experience make her uniquely qualified.  Alvey previously served as the Senate Transportation and Safety Committee Research Analyst.  

"While serving as committee analyst, Ms. Alvey was instrumental in assisting the Senate in transforming the Department of Safety,” Norris said.  “She helped us restore funding for public transportation and jobs access, too.”  

“She has a keen understanding of state government and human nature which is essential in the Majority Leader's office," said Norris who became Senate Majority Leader on January 10. 

"I am honored to be promoted to this position by the Majority Leader,” Alvey said.  “It is an exciting time to work in the Tennessee State Senate, and I look forward to helping make a difference." 

Alvey graduated summa cum laude from Columbia State Community College and received her degree in Political Science from Middle Tennessee State University magna cum laude.  Alvey also holds a J.D. from the Nashville School of Law.  

She has worked in the Tennessee legislature since 1999. Prior to serving as Research Analyst, Alvey was Administrative Assistant to Norris who represents the West Tennessee counties of Shelby, Tipton, Lauderdale and Dyer.  

She also was a legislative intern to former Republican Caucus Chairman, Senator Gene Elsea (R-Spring City).  

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