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March 2, 2007
Dear Friends, This week I was pleased to welcome several groups to Nashville, including WestStar. As a 1999 graduate of the program, I can attest to its value and look forward to seeing these leaders making a difference in their communities across West Tennessee. Our other visitors this week exemplify courage, but interestingly, in two different forms: One as law enforcement professionals making the streets safer and another as veterans who made lifelong sacrifices in the past performance of their duty. On Wednesday, law enforcement officers from across the state joined me in presenting legislation strengthening sentences for criminals using guns in new crimes. It’s an important effort, and I have immense respect for these officers as they face potential danger every day for us. We’re working in Nashville to give them more tools to protect our children and keep criminals off the streets. I also met with representatives from the Mid-South Paralyzed Veterans of America, another group personifying courage. These veterans’ selfless acts resulted in lifelong sacrifice, but their patriotism and sense of duty remains visible to anyone spending time with them. As time passes and the impact of their heroism fades for younger generations, we’re reminded of these men and women who met a threat to our country with bravery and, often, supreme sacrifice. They continue to do so today. We owe them not only a debt of gratitude but a promise to protect them as they advance in age. So I was concerned at recent reports that our Tennessee State Veterans Homes, the subject of numerous problems last year, were once again facing scrutiny. This time the examination is by the Federal Government. According to a letter sent to the Governor on February 12 from the U.S. Department of Justice, there is an on-going investigation at the homes in Murfreesboro and Humboldt. Upon learning this, I met with the Executive Director to discuss the matter. While I was assured the investigation is isolated to past incidents, we’ll continue to discuss whether legislative action or action changes are in order. While we await the Federal Government’s findings, our veterans still deserve better. Our veterans are coming home in record numbers. They are aging. The valor of World War II, Korean and Vietnam War vets, even Gulf War veterans, is the stuff of history for our children who now relate to their stories from what they see in books and on Discovery Channel documentaries. Since most of them are too proud to ask for help, we must accept that responsibility and seek to repay our debt to them. Mark Norris * * * * *
Law Enforcement Rallies Behind Norris Crime Bill Legislation Aimed at Felons Using Guns in New Crimes NASHVILLE --- Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville) today hosted an unprecedented gathering of law enforcement officials in a unified call for tougher penalties and punishments for armed felons committing new crimes. The conference was the result of a collaborative effort with The Tennessee Public Safety Coalition, comprised of Tennessee’s police chiefs, sheriffs, and district attorneys. Crime fighters from Bartlett, Dyersburg and Covington, as well as Nashville and Knoxville, joined with Norris, Senator Paul Stanley and Representative John DeBerry and others who support the initiatives. Norris described the scene as a “picture worth a thousand words” while standing in the Senate Chamber with uniformed officers representing both large cities and rural areas from across the state. Senate Bill 1967, sponsored by Norris, is known as the “Crooks with Guns” bill. It enhances penalties for previously convicted felons who use firearms to commit new crimes by requiring a mandatory (10) year sentence without parole. “New York reduced crime by over 50% using a law like this,” Norris said. “We need to get serious about reducing crime in Tennessee.” Norris said that prior felony convictions from other states also qualify the felon for the bill’s stricter sentencing requirements. “We recognize that we must give law enforcement the tools they need,” Norris said. “There should be no breaks for lawbreakers.” * * * * * Sales Tax Holiday Coming Next Month Tennesseans can take make tax-free purchases during two periods this year: April 27-29, 2007 – a special one-time sales tax holiday and August 3-5, 2007 – the recurring annual sales tax holiday The Department of Revenue has posted detailed information online for retailers and consumers at www.tntaxholiday.com. The information includes what goods are tax-free, frequently asked questions as well as a retailer’s guide. Both three-day holidays include the same tax-exempt items. For more information, you can email salestax.holiday@state.tn.us or call (800) 342-1003 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST. The toll-free number is available during special hours over the April Holiday: Saturday, April 28, 2007 - 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. CST and Sunday, April 29, 2007 - 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. CST. * * * * * GOP Senate Takes on Illegal Immigration There is no doubt that one of the hottest political topics deals with illegal immigration. Rarely a day goes by without someone discussing the issue on a talk show or even in the local barbershop. The Governor has tiptoed all around the issue and has done little to address the situation (except sending men and women of the Tennessee National Guard to the U.S.-Mexican border to “observe” the situation firsthand). The Republicans in the Senate have stood their ground in the past and are continuing to work to make Tennessee a less attractive place for illegal aliens. Sen. Bill Ketron (R-Murfreesboro) is leading the charge. Ketron has filed a number of bills that deal with the situation. One of his proposals received attention this week as it moved through the committees to the Senate floor. SB 201 would require that all written drivers license examinations be given in English unless the person has written security clearance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. “I feel this bill takes the first step toward protecting the sovereignty of our country,” said the bill’s sponsor, state Sen. Bill Ketron (R-Murfreesboro) who wants the legislation to send a message to illegal immigrants. “This is the United States of America, and we speak English here.” -Chattanooga Times Free Press Some have accused the bill of being mean-spirited and sending “the wrong message”. Others have said that the legislation is not needed because as amended, the department is already doing what the bill requires. Sen. Ketron responds by saying that he is glad that the department is currently doing this. “It is good policy,” said Sen. Ketron, “but in Tennessee it needs to be a law on the books to ensure that we are always doing this.” Another key piece of the package includes SB 899 by Ketron. This bill would require that a person be a United States citizen in order to hold the office of notary public. Sen. Mark Norris (R-Collierville) has also filed SB 1611 which would require identification and proof of citizenship for voter registration. Norris will also present Senate Bill 1604 for passage in the Senate Transportation Committee next Wednesday, which authorizes Tennessee Highway Patrol officers to receive federal training in immigration and customs enforcement. Sen. Jack Johnson (R-Brentwood) along with Sens. Ketron and Norris have all sponsored legislation to give employers tools to ensure that they are hiring legal United States citizens. The “Employer Responsibility in Hiring Practices Act” would require that employers confirm the immigration status prior to an individual’s employment by using the federal electronic work authorization verification service provided by the United States Department of Homeland Security pursuant to the federal Basic Pilot Program Extension and Expansion Act of 2003. Sen. Dewayne Bunch (R-Cleveland) has introduced SB 690 to impose a 25% tax on money orders purchased by non-U.S. citizens. * * * * * |
