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July 29, 2008 Keeping YOUR Money Where It Belongs - In YOUR Pocket Though Governor Bredesen recently remarked that he wished he could repeal the annual “Sales Tax Holiday,” I have no intention of hiding this great benefit from our working families. Republicans in the General Assembly worked hard to bring this to fruition, and I want YOU to take full advantage of it. The summer "Sales Tax Holiday" is just days away and, as all holidays are cause for celebration, this one is no different. From Friday, August 1, through Sunday, August 3, we will celebrate keeping your money where it belongs - in your own pocket! Many items, particularly clothing and educational materials, will be sold sales tax-free for those three days. Do not miss out on the opportunity to stock up on things you need for less expense. More information, including a complete list of tax-exempt items, can be found at www.tntaxholiday.com Also, I thought you might be interested in this excerpt from a recent press release sent out by the Senate and House Republican Caucuses regarding Governor Bredesen’s apparent lack of support for the sales tax holiday: Tennessee General Assembly State of Tennessee
Republican Leaders take Bredesen to task for saying he would eliminate sales tax holiday Contact: Darlene Schlicher (615) 741-6336 or Kara Watkins (615) 741-1975 (NASHVILLE, TN), July 25, 2008 -- Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville), Senate Republican Chairman Diane Black (R-Gallatin), House Republican Leader Jason Mumpower (R-Bristol) and House Republican Caucus Chairman Glen Casada (R-Franklin) today took Governor Phil Bredesen to task for his statement that he would eliminate the sales tax holiday if he could. The Republican lawmakers said there are some pork projects that could be cut, like Bredesen’s plan to build a ballroom at the governor’s mansion, to help with current budget woes that would better serve the public than eliminating a minimal tax break given to hard working families buying school supplies. “With gas prices soaring and food costs increasing, it is shameful that Governor Bredesen doesn’t think working class families deserve a small tax break,” said Rep. Mumpower. “If the governor really wants to save the state $13 million he ought to grab a shovel and go fill in that gaping hole in his front yard at the governor’s residence,” Mumpower added about the ballroom bunker which is being added to accommodate parties at a cost of approximately $13 million. “In these economic times, our citizens need all the help they can get to make ends meet,” said Senator Black. “The sales tax holiday is much appreciated and valued by moms and dads across our state who are faced with buying school clothes and school supplies in an ever-tightening economy.” “Republicans fought very hard to pass this sales tax holiday,” said Senator Norris. “For him to dismiss what these savings mean to Tennessee families is downright appalling.” Tax Freeze Fever Continues to Spread The property tax freeze program for senior citizens, which I passed during the 2006 and 2007 legislative sessions, is taking hold across Tennessee. At present, 18 county governments and 10 municipalities have opted into the program which allows the freezing of property tax rates for citizens 65 and over who qualify based on income levels in each county. While this is a great step to help the senior citizens of Tennessee, it is only a first step. I need YOU to contact your local officials today and ask them to adopt the property tax freeze program. More information about the freeze and easy access to local officials’ contact information can be found at www.tennesseniors.com Norris Continues to Work Toward Positive Solutions to Transportation Funding Issues Earlier this year in Lexington, Kentucky, I had the opportunity to chair the first meeting of the Transportation Funding Advisory Group of the Council of State Governments. The group, consisting of legislative and executive branch members from across the country, was formed out of our collective concern over the complex issues affecting transportation, both public and private, in America. As fuel costs have soared, so have the costs of construction materials needed to improve our infrastructure. Environmental and public health concerns must also be addressed in relation to transportation, and all of these things affect the individual economic strength of the citizen consumer. Plans must be made and states must take the lead to preserve our nation’s successful transportation system in a responsible manner. As the Transportation Funding Advisory Group continues to discuss these issues, I will report to you on our deliberations and how they may affect Tennessee. In the meantime, allow me to share with you a recent article which appeared in the Wall Street Journal about the pending transportation crisis facing the United States. The article can be found by clicking the following link: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121721483297789245.html?mod=hps_us_whats_news Norris Elected Vice Chairman of Southern Legislative Conference Earlier this month, I was honored by colleagues from across the Southeastern United States when they elected me to serve as Vice Chairman of the Southern Legislative Conference of the Council of State Governments. This unique position will allow me a greater opportunity to share ideas with officials from across the country and to serve as a spokesman for the state of Tennessee. I have included the press release that was sent regarding my election:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 15, 2008 Senator Mark Norris Elected Vice Chair for the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma — Delegates to the 62nd Annual Meeting of The Council of State Governments’ Southern Legislative Conference (SLC) have elected Tennessee Senator Mark Norris, R-Collierville, Vice Chair of the Conference. Delegates from SLC’s 16 member states unanimously elected Senator Norris to succeed South Carolina Speaker of the House Robert W, Harrell, Jr., who was elected SLC Chair Elect. Senator Jeff Wentworth of Texas was elected Chair of the Conference. The 62nd Annual Meeting agenda included the Opening Plenary Session, held on Saturday, July 12, which featured former Director of Economic Policy at the White House, Mr. Todd Buchholz, who discussed the threats and opportunities presented by China’s rapidly expanding market economy, During the annual meeting, attending legislators also heard about and discussed human trafficking, the emerging role of the rail industry in the South, methods of public teacher compensation, early childhood education, energy efficiency, national end regional economic trends, and the recent disturbances in commodity markets. The Closing Plenary Session, held on Monday, July 14, involved a presentation on new frontiers by former NASA astronaut and the first Native American on a space shuttle mission, Commander John B. Herrington. In addition to more than 20 substantive programs, technical tours offered state legislators and staff a chance to see first-hand innovative approaches to common challenges and potential solutions for their respective home states. Senator Norris is a member of the National Executive Committee of The Council of State Governments and a past participant of their Henry Toll Fellowship Program, recognizing Senator Norris as one of the top 40 state legislative leaders in the nation. Senator Norris also serves on the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee and Executive Committee of the SLC, as well as Chair of the Economic Development, Transportation and Cultural Affairs Committee. As Vice Chair of the SLC, Senator Norris will assist the chairman in executing the general activities of the Conference, guide the Conference in policy deliberations, and serve as liaison to the House and Senate leaders of the member states. On Monday, July 14, Senator Norris presided over a session on the Lower Mississippi River Basin initiative, an enterprise for enhancing cooperation among the five Lower Mississippi River states. The Southern Legislative Conference (SLC) of the Council of State Governments (CSG) was established in 1947. Composed of the presiding officers and key legislators from 16 Southern states, the SLC is a non-partisan, non-profit organization located in Atlanta, Georgia. Its mission is to foster and encourage intergovernmental cooperation among its 16-member states. Henning, TN Receives Significant Federal Funding On July 18, I was honored to join U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander, Congressman John Tanner, and various U.S. Agriculture Department officials, and local officials in Henning for the presentation of a $40,000 USDA grant to the city of Henning to be used for small business development and diversification. The announcement and presentation was made at the Alex Haley home and museum. I have included a picture below from this great event.
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From left to right: USDA Rural Development Specialist Billy Lane, USDA Rural Development Area Director Harriet Cannon, Henning Mayor Baris Douglas, USDA Rural Development State Director Mary Ruth Tackett, U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander, 8th District U.S. Congressman John Tanner, and Senator Mark Norris
