Tennessee Senator Mark Norris spoke to the Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce on Feb. 6. He discussed TennCare, workers' compensation and tax exemptions.

Senator Mark Norris discusses reform with Bartlett Chamber

By Kristin Demers for the Bartlett Express

February 13, 2004

Tennessee State Senator Mark Norris (Republican) gathered with a crowd of more than 30 people at the Hampton Inn and Suites Galleria Room on Feb. 6 to discuss TennCare, worker's compensation and tax relief for seniors.

Sue Griffith, president of the Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce, introduced Norris as a man who "is always working for us, for the public."

Norris, an attorney from Collierville, was first elected in 2000 and said he plans to run for re-election. He formerly served on the Shelby County Commission and now serves Senate District 32, which includes half of Bartlett, as well as parts of Shelby, Dyer, Lauderdale and Tipton Counties. Norris said the area includes approximately 170,000 people with a wide variety of citizens and that he's glad to be serving such a dynamic district even though it is a "tall task."

He said that despite political party differences, he is happy with Governor Phil Bredesen's democratic administration, especially since Bredesen was able to present a balanced budget.

He added that he hopes to restore the public's trust and confidence in how the government is spending their tax dollars. "We want you to feel you've had $1 worth of service for every $1 worth of tax you've paid to make your investment worthwhile," Norris said.

As access to affordable healthcare has become increasingly harder to come by and private health insurance coverage is increasingly difficult to secure, Norris explained his interest in replacing TennCare, which already consumes one third of the state budget. "If we don't replace it, it will consume every penny of revenue and the state will go bankrupt. We can't have that," he said.


Another issue Norris is focusing on is worker's compensation. He said that because Tennessee is one of two states in the country which decide compensation issues through the court as opposed to an administrative panel, the state is not able to provide competitive worker's comp with surrounding states. Consequently, many small and mid-sized businesses are moving just outside state lines, especially to Arkansas and Kentucky, to save money. "The problem is not bringing businesses to Tennessee, it's keeping them here," he said.

With businesses leaving, the issue of unemployment arises. While the state's unemployment level is below the national average, he said it is at its highest since 1997. Norris explained that he is working towards reform bills with the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and hopes that local level Chambers will also become involved.

Next, he discussed the Homestead Exemption Act, which would provide tax relief for seniors by freezing the primary value of their residence when they turned 65. If the value of the house goes up, the economic burden remains the same so elders "don't have to choose between property taxes and prescription drugs," Norris said.

In order to achieve passage of the Homestead Exemption Act, the Senate will have to amend the state constitution, which presently states that all taxes must be levied equally. Norris added that many states in the country have already passed a similar act.

Mayor Keith McDonald, also in attendance, praised Norris and encouraged the community to vocalize their opinions and support. "He's a good friend to local government, one of the best friends you've got," he said.