December 28, 2007 Metro law enforcement officials have been looking for a cure to Tennessee’s weak gun laws since April, pushing for legislation that would increase jail time for gun crimes. more...
December 26, 2007 "It's intolerable and it needs to stop yesterday," said state Sen. Mark Norris. "It needs to stop a year ago yesterday." more...
December 26, 2007 Uppermost in the mind of Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris of Collierville is an exit strategy. Last year's session dragged on into June. This year, legislators hope to "hit the ground running the first week,'' he said. more...
December 25, 2007 State legislators are gearing up for a fight next year over how to spend lottery profits, including a likely battle over whether lottery scholarships should be opened to poor teens whose grades are too low to meet the current standards. more...
While Tennessee officials talk about how to plug a
large hole in this year's budget, the state continues to accumulate
money in a rainy day fund set aside for just such a problem. more...
November 29, 2007 But for families with children attending Tipton-Rosemark Academy on Rosemark Road, it's a nightmare, said Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris of Collierville. more...
November 28, 2007 Norris serves as one of a select group of transportation law experts on the National Academy of Public Administration's Intergovernmental Forum on Transportation Finance. more...
November 27, 2007 State Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville) announced today safety improvements at the intersection of Tipton-Rosemark Road and Austin Peay Highway have been funded and should be in place early in the New Year. more...
State Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville) will join a panel of legislators and experts to discuss public transportation issues at a Tennessee Legislative Roundtable at 8:30a.m. on Thursday, November 29. more...
NASHVILLE, Tenn. --- State Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville) will be one of the featured guest speakers at the Summit for a Sustainable Tennessee this week at Lipscomb University in Nashville. more...
October 29, 2007 There are two state legislators, Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris of Collierville and Rep. Beth Harwell of Nashville, former state GOP chairwoman and head of Thompson’s in-state fundraising team. more...
October 23, 2007 ... Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris, of Memphis, for his role passing the funding for the state's largest-ever land conservation plan. more...
October 17, 2007 Former Tennessee Senator and Presidential candidate Fred Thompson announced his Tennessee finance leadership team today. more...
October 3, 2007 Nearly 70 people, including State Sen. Mark Norris, attended the buffet of sausage, ham, eggs and hot biscuits. more...
September 30, 2007 "Your nest egg should not become your albatross," says Norris, an attorney and former Shelby County commissioner who can turn an apt phrase. more...
State Senate
Majority Leader to Address Dyersburg Rotary
September 17, 2007
State Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville)
will be the guest speaker at the Dyersburg Rotary Club’s regular
meeting on Thursday, September 20 at noon at LePanto’s Steak House.
more...
Briley's rise
through House ranks likely halted by arrest
September 11, 2007
But Republicans, and some fellow Democrats,
have been critical of Briley for his sometimes strong-armed tactics
and legislative maneuvering. more...
West
Tennessee River Basin Authority expands territory, adds two to board
September 10, 2007
In addition to adding territory, the basin authority enlarged its
board of directors to include two more legislators. Sen. Mark Norris
(R-Collierville) and Rep. Steve McDaniel (R-Parkers Crossroads) have
joined the board in recent weeks. more...
September 5, 2007 In the excitement of what state Sen. Mark Norris called "a red-letter day," Arlington business owners began imagining the potential for the tree-lined highway. more...
August 30, 2007 Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris, R-Collierville, criticized the report for downplaying the problems of illegal immigration. more...
State Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville) has been appointed to serve on the West Tennessee River Basin Authority. more...
August 27, 2007 Panelists will include Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn.; Shelby County Sheriff Mark Luttrell; state Sen. Beverly Marrero, D-Memphis; and state Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville. more...
August 27, 2007 Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville who represents Tipton County, then addressed the group. more...
State Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville) will join other elected and law enforcement officials in a town hall panel discussion on the prevention and reduction of crime in Shelby County. more...
August 24, 2007 Republican state Sen. Mark Norris offered advice to the fledgling leaders who may wonder if they have time to commit to the class. more...
State Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville) will be the featured speaker at the next meeting of the Tipton County Republican Party. more...
August 22, 2007 State Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris and the people of District 32 will host to U.S. Senator Bob Corker this month. more...
August 19, 2007 "I think it (switchgrass) is a transitional resource that will buy us some time," Norris said. more...
August 16, 2007 Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris of Collierville said the last time he checked with the secretary of state's office the number of applications from his district indicated "the requests exceed the available funds." more...
August 11, 2007 The study also concludes that illegal immigrants probably have an overall positive impact on the state's economy — although they may have a negative impact on local economies in the cities where they are heavily concentrated. more...
August 11, 2007 Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris, R-Collierville, said the report does not say anything lawmakers didn’t already know, but he objected to the way it downplayed the problems of illegal immigration. more...
August 10, 2007 Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris objected to the way the study downplayed the problems of illegal immigration. more...
August 6, 2007 Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville) was honored by the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police at their 37th Annual Banquet in Memphis on Friday, August 3rd. more...
Aug 1, 2007 State Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, agreed. "This is not satisfactory. It is just not satisfactory." more...
July 24, 2007 "I wonder if today's Democrats would have stayed the course if they had been at the helm instead of Thomas Jefferson and George Washington," he said. "The Bill of Rights was not adopted until 1791. It takes time for democracy to work." more...
July 23, 2007 “I don’t know that they’re exorbitant,” Norris said. “It looks like he was trying to stop a number of people from bailing out to me. It came across as sort of a desperation play.” more...
July 22, 2007 "There are a lot of people saying that we're trying to give senior citizens a free ride," said Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, who is on a statewide campaign to dispel myths about the freeze. more...
July 20, 2007 Senate Republican leader Mark Norris of Collierville is continuing his move to protect the public from sex offenders. more...
Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris, (R) Collierville, wants Tennesseans to know there’s a new weapon in the fight against crime: on-line mapping. more...
July 5, 2007 “This grant unites our community and our school district in a real partnership for helping students,” Senator Mark Norris said. “Clearly, this program will better prepare our children for school and life.” more...
June 29, 2007 Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris of Collierville and Representative John Deberry of Memphis were the bill's main sponsors. more...
June 24, 2007 Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris of Collierville took a different view. "This was our first session under new management. We began the process of getting tax relief to Tennesseans -- not as much as a more substantial Republican majority would have. more...
June 24, 2007 Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, and Rep. John DeBerry, D-Memphis, sponsored two major pieces of legislation, one which requires tougher sentences for criminals who carry guns and another which allows local governments to freeze property taxes for senior citizens. more...
June 23, 2007 "Violation of privacy and unfunded mandates are a real concern with this Act," said Norris. The specter of Big Brother watching is too real." more...
June 20, 2007 "It's intolerable and it needs to stop, yesterday," said state Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville. "It needs to stop a year ago yesterday. more...
June 18, 2007 Senate Republican leader Mark Norris of Collierville filed a proposed amendment to the state budget for the $6.5 million, which would amount to $2.16 million in state funds and the rest in matching funds from federal sources. more...
June 17, 2007 The dedication of $23.5 million a year to the new crime-fighting initiative was described by state Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, the chief sponsor, as one of the most significant investments by the state in more than a decade. more...
June 14, 2007 Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris of Collierville: "This was our first session under new management (the first GOP Senate speaker in 140 years). I don't think it was flashy but it was solid and steady." more...
June 14, 2007 That's a small price to pay for the relief for seniors who would qualify for a locally approved tax freeze plan, a measure championed by Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, and easily passed in both chambers of the legislature just prior to adjournment this week. more...
June 14, 2007 Mark Norris, R-Collierville, Senate sponsor and Republican leader, said the original cost was exaggerated when the Office of Fiscal Review priced it based on what he says were "assumptions that weren't valid." more...
June 13, 2007 The gun bill, sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris of Collierville, and Rep. John DeBerry, D-Memphis, is the centerpiece of a crime package this year totaling more than $37 million. more...
June 13, 2007 A plan to freeze property taxes for some elderly homeowners is on its way for the governor's consideration. more...
June 12, 2007 “This is the largest investment in crime fighting legislation by the state of Tennessee in more than a decade,” said Norris. more...
June 12, 2007 Both chambers passed the legislation unanimously. Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris, of Collierville, and Rep. John Deberry, D-Memphis, are the bill's main sponsors. more...
June 12, 2007 “The net effect is sort of paltry really,” said Republican Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville). more...
June 12, 2007 Odom and Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris, of Collierville, were the main sponsors of the measure that passed unanimously in both chambers. more...
June 12, 2007 "This would allow as many cities and counties as possible to opt in. If a city or county opts out, their citizens don't get anything," Norris said. more...
As Norris stated, “This measure is important to our senior citizens. Many of these individuals have owned homes for decades. more...
June 11, 2007 "There is significant discomfort on both sides of the aisle" with portions of the compromise, said Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris of Collierville. more...
June 11, 2007 The bill was sponsored by House Majority Leader Gary Odom of Nashville and Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris of Collierville. more...
June 9, 2007 "There is a lot of anxiety on both sides of the aisle (in the Senate) about this reduction in recurring revenues," said Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris of Collierville. more...
June 9, 2007 "This is comparable to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park," said Norris, estimating the Plateau tracts will collectively be about a third the size of the Smokies. more...
June 8, 2007 The bills, SB 2 sponsored by Sen. Mark Norris and HB 1033 by Rep. John DeBerry, are currently in the respective Finance, Ways and Means Committees. more...
June 7, 2007 Senator Mark Norris said, “Very close to being presented in both finance committees… I think we will have legislation before we adjourn.” more...
June 7, 2007 Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville) is in favor of spending the $82 million, calling it a “rare opportunity” to buy the land, which he compared to the Great Smoky Mountains. more...
June 6, 2007 "As a practical matter, it's over for this year," said state Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, who has worked closely with doctors' groups to try to make it harder for patients to bring claims of medical errors against health care workers. more...
June 4, 2007 A local property tax freeze for homeowners aged 65 and older. The dispute is where to set the ceiling on household income to qualify for the freeze, which was authorized by a state constitutional referendum last fall. more...
May 25, 2007 “If you want to strike a blow at tobacco, then tax tobacco,” said Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville). more...
May 23, 2007 Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris said the memo in question, e-mailed to legislators Monday night, reminded him of a "bait-and-switch" tactic. more...
May 23, 2007 Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville speaks at an anti-crime rally Tuesday in Nashville. more...
May 23, 2007 Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, is sponsoring the main bill in the package, dubbed the "Crooks with Guns" bill, and said even the current price tag is grossly overestimated. more...
May 23, 2007 “The push with the incorrect information that had been rapidly disseminated by the administration last night along with this push to move forward with this cigarette tax is a recipe for disaster,” said Norris, of Collierville. more...
May 22, 2007 Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris responded that he doesn't want to rush. more...
May 22, 2007 The issue, raised this morning by Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris of Collierville, later drew an apology from Finance Commissioner Dave Goetz. more...
May 22, 2007 "We just need to crack down on repeat criminals and that's what this legislation would do," said Senator Mark Norris. more...
May 22, 2007 "When you just slap things together the way they've done, and then run them all down to vote them on the floor, you could put into law something that is not progress," said Sen. Mark Norris, R-Memphis. more...
May 16, 2007 The Public Coalition Safety bills are sponsored by Senator Mark Norris from Collierville, Senator Randy McNally from Oak Ridge, Senator Paul Stanley from Memphis, and Representative John DeBerry of Memphis along with Representative Kent Coleman of Murfressboro. more...
May 15, 2007 One of those bills, sponsored by State Senator Mark Norris, a Republican over District 32, would increase the penalties for those who commit crimes with a gun. more...
May 14, 2007 Lawmakers like Republican Senate Leader Mark Norris said other negotiating areas for the surplus money include lowering the sales tax on food, higher pay raises for state workers, more money for road building, and increasing the states rainy day fund. more...
May 13, 2007 Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris of Collierville said "there hasn't been any indication by those who propose the higher taxes that they actually support crime-fighting measures or my legislation. So it may be disingenuous to link the two." more...
May 12, 2007 But neither Ramsey nor Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris of Collierville would say how much of a tax increase they favor. more...
May 12, 2007 "The locality rule has merit for both sides. It depends on which health care professional you ask," said Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, who has backed doctors in the debate. more...
May 11, 2007 Wednesday, a compromise bill that Briley (D-Nashville), Rep. Doug Overbey (R-Maryville) and Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville) had crafted on the politically contentious issue of medical malpractice was on the House floor. more...
May 11, 2007 "We think we had it in the best form when it left the Senate,'' said Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris, who aided in the compromise. "It looks like we won't have that opportunity this year.'' more...
May 10, 2007 “The question is how much of this can we fund with no new taxes,” said Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville), of Bredesen’s education plan. more...
May 10, 2007 But Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris on Wednesday said: "There's a limit to what the taxpaying public should endure." more...
May 10, 2007 Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris of Collierville said today there's a limit to what the taxpayers should endure. more...
May 4, 2007 "Good things cometo those who wait," said Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris of Collierville. more...
May 2, 2007 The bill's main sponsors were Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris of Collierville and House Majority Leader Gary Odom of Nashville. more...
May 2, 2007 The Public Safety Coalition bills — SB1967/HB1835, SB1322/HB1834 and SB1554/HB1836 — are sponsored by Sen. Mark Norris, Collierville; Sen. Randy McNally, Oak Ridge; Sen. Paul Stanley, Memphis; Rep. John DeBerry, Memphis; and Rep. Kent Coleman, Murfreesboro. more...
May 1, 2007 “I think it is important for us to provide some meaningful tax relief,” Norris said. more...
May 1, 2007 State Senator Mark Norris (R-Collierville) advanced his bill to pass property tax relief for senior citizens. more...
May 1, 2007 "You will always have some local governments who chafe at the notion of providing any tax relief. And for them, I would simply remind them that the program is optional." more...
April 30, 2007 Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris, who as chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee last year conducted investigations into political interference at the THP, said he had no problem with the Scott nomination. more...
April 30, 2007 That version passed after its sponsor, Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris of Collierville, and Governor Bredesen reached an agreement on its language. more...
April 30, 2007 Shelby County District Attorney General Bill Gibbons, Memphis Police Director Larry Godwin and Senator Mark Norris want hard time for gun and gang crimes. more...
April 30, 2007 The legislation is sponsored by several members of the Shelby County delegation, including Sens. Mark Norris and Paul Stanley and Rep. John DeBerry. more...
April 29, 2007 "We're trying to crack down on violent criminals to quit coddling criminals," says Norris. more...
April 29, 2007 The Senate Finance Committee is expected to vote this week whether to send the bill to the full Senate. more...
April 29, 2007 Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris said last month that local government lobbying groups were trying to kill the measure. more...
April 27, 2007 Norris intended for the Legislature to set a maximum and for counties to be able to enact any limit below that. more...
April 27, 2007 They quickly found allies in Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris of Collierville, who filed a proposed amendment to the state budget for the $6.5 million, and Rep. Gary Rowe, D-Memphis, chairman of the Shelby County delegation, who appointed five legislators to meet with Person and Lodge to negotiate a compromise. more...
April 25, 2007 Determining which elderly homeowners would be shielded from future property tax increases would depend on income levels in each county under a proposal advancing in the Legislature. more...
April 25, 2007 “Those who qualify will continue paying their property tax at the rate they’ve been paying,” said Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville), the sponsor of the passed amendment and the bill. more...
April 25, 2007 "It's a big step in the right direction and I appreciate the support it got today," Norris said after presenting the agreement worked out with county lobbyists. more...
April 25, 2007 After months of dispute and debate, legislation authorizing county and city governments to freeze property tax payments by senior citizens has cleared its first committee hurdle. more...
April 24th, 2007 The current version hammered out by Overbey, Briley and Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris removed a provision to place caps on damages paid out to malpractice victims. more...
April 24th, 2007 Mark Norris, the Senate Republican Leader, has been dealing with dollar signs and demographics in his bill that sets different income caps in different counties. more...
April 22, 2007 As state officials work out a plan to freeze property taxes for elderly homeowners, some local county officials are warning they won't approve the break locally if the income limit is too high. more...
April 20, 2007 Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris was also unsympathetic to Williams' arguments. more...
April 20, 2007 Tennessee senior citizens may soon get some property tax relief due to a legislation tweak, Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris told a crowd of Tipton County home builders Thursday night. more...
April 20, 2007 State Sen. Mark Norris of Collierville urged the court and DHS "not to act too hastily," saying the Shelby delegation will do whatever it can to support the program. more...
April 19, 2007 The Senate unanimously approved the measure Monday night with Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris of Collierville as sponsor. more...
April 18, 2007 A State Senate committee voted on Tuesday to kill a bill which would keep one political action committee (PAC) from transferring money to another. more...
April 17, 2007 Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris, of Collierville, explained that he was "uncomfortable with us opening up all these campaign limits issues." more...
April 17, 2007 Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris said he planned to vote on the permanent rules Monday evening but decided to wait at the request of some lawmakers. more...
April 16, 2007 Democratic Leader Senator Jim Kyle released the following statement Monday night... more...
April 16, 2007 Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris said the final vote is acceptable because in the absence of permanent rules passage can be made on a simple majority of those voting. more...
April 16, 2007 The prime sponsor in the Senate is Senator Mark Norris, and Representative John DeBerry is its prime sponsor in the House of Representatives. more...
April 16, 2007 The prime sponsor in the Senate is Mark Norris, R-Collierville, and Rep. John DeBerry, D-Memphis, is its prime sponsor in the House. more...
April 15, 2007 Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris said the two-third vote is "in keeping with the trend across the nation that you put protections in place that one can't change the rules in the middle of the game." more...
April 14, 2007 Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris, R-Collierville, and Reps. Brian Kelsey, R-Germantown, Steve McManus, R-Cordova, Reginald Tate, D-Memphis, and Curry Todd, R-Collierville, also spoke during the hour-plus forum at Ridgeway Country Club. more...
April 13, 2007 State Senator Mark Norris (R-Collierville) successfully moved SB 1967 “Crooks with Guns” legislation through the Select Oversight Committee on Corrections on April 9. more...
April 13, 2007 State Senator Mark Norris (R-Collierville) moved approval of the $5.7 million expansion of the West Tennessee State Penitentiary at Ft. Pillow on April 9. more...
April 11, 2007 The Senate State and Local Government Committee on Tuesday passed a measure sponsored by Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, to move next year's primary from Feb. 12 to Feb 5. more...
April 10, 2007 State Senator Mark Norris (R-Collierville) successfully moved SB 1967 “Crooks with Guns” legislation through the Select Oversight Committee on Corrections on
April 9. more...
April 10, 2007 State Senator Mark Norris (R-Collierville) moved approval of the $5.7 million expansion of the West Tennessee State Penitentiary at Ft. Pillow on April 9. more...
April 8, 2007 "The higher the level the better, because more people are protected," he says, "but unfortunately if it's too high, cities and counties will not participate." more...
April 6, 2007 The Senate voted 31-0 to pass the bill sponsored by Republican leader Mark Norris of Collierville. more...
April 3, 2007 “This bill is a giant step in the direction toward preventing the merit-less claim from being filed in the first place,” Norris said, adding that that saves money for defendants having to, among other expenses, hire lawyers. more...
April 3, 2007 Norris, who handles defense cases as a private lawyer, said some defense lawyers also favor a statewide standard because they have to recruit experts for the defense too. more...
April 3, 2007 A political battle in Nashville is pitting state doctors on one side and trial lawyers on the other. more...
April 3, 2007 Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris, of Collierville, said that he is against arbitrary changes to office space, but still voted against the bill. more...
April 2, 2007 "I'm very pleased," said Norris. "It's the fruit of many labors." more...
April 2, 2007 Norris disputed whether defense lawyers have an easier time finding expert witnesses, noting that most doctors prefer to stay out of litigation. more...
April 2, 2007 “It’ll certainly be better than what’s available now,” Norris said of the compromise. “It’s probably not as much as I would have liked or as I think is deserving.” more...
April 1, 2007 Norris said he disagrees with the legal argument that allowing differing levels of property taxes would violate state requirements for consistent tax rules. more...
April 1, 2007 Norris said he had written the constitutional amendment with the intention of having the Legislature set the maximum income level to qualify for the tax freeze, more...
March 31, 2007 We believe the approach, sponsored in the Senate by Collierville Republican Mark Norris, merits support on both sides of this contentious issue. more...
March 31, 2007 Briley has worked with sponsors of the bill, Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris of Collierville and Rep. Doug Overbey, R-Maryville, in putting together the package. more...
March 30, 2007 Tennessee's new ethics chief sits calmly before the Senate finance committee as Sen. Mark Norris quizzes him about the motive behind the $175,000 he has asked the legislature to add to his budget for investigators and auditors. more...
March 30, 2007 The Senate Judiciary Committee this week advanced the medical malpractice bill to a full Senate vote. more...
March 29, 2007 Senate Bill 2001, sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville) with fifteen other state senators as co-sponsors, passed unanimously through the Senate on Monday night. more...
March 29, 2007 Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris, of Collierville, said he could sense "a softening" in the governor's attitude this week. more...
March 29, 2007 He said, “You can't complain about a vote of 32 to nothing, I’d say the state supports our Second Amendment rights, our right to bear arms, and that's important at all times, especially in times of a state emergency." more...
March 29, 2007 The Tennessee Senate unanimously approved a bill Wednesday intended to prohibit the government from confiscating firearms during a natural disaster or emergency. more...
March 29, 2007 The Senate passed the measure on Wednesday after its sponsor, Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris of Collierville, and Gov. Phil Bredesen reached an agreement on its language. more...
March 28, 2007 We are trying to cut down the number of merit-less claims, to separate the wheat from the chaff earlier," Norris said. more...
March 28, 2007 Norris should be commended for offering a very necessary piece of legislation -- that of keeping our constitutional rights during an emergency, a time when we are likely to need them most. more...
March 27, 2007 Senator Mark Norris, a Republican trial lawyer, unveiled the six-page amendment after a month of closed-door meetings with state Representative Robb Briley. more...
March 27, 2007 More precise language of the bill will become available when the bill is filed. Language capping the amount a plaintiff can sue for will not be in the bill. more...
March 27, 2007 Now, Gov. Phil Bredesen, who at one time didn't want to give up that power, may be supporting new language in a bill by Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, that would keep Tennessee officials from suspending the sale or transport of guns during emergencies. more...
March 27, 2007 "We have to very carefully proscribe what can and cannot be done in the political arena," Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, said. more...
March 27, 2007 Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris of Collierville has said Bredesen’s “Schools First” proposal should instead be labeled “Schools Last,” because it doesn’t adjust the state’s regular operating budget to prioritize schools. more...
March 27, 2007 State laws allowing governors to confiscate firearms during disasters are crumbling like clay pigeons at a firing range — and Tennessee may be next to shoot its law down. more...
March 26, 2007 Gov. Phil Bredesen said Monday that he has come to an agreement with Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris on new language for a measure that would prevent a governor from seizing privately owned firearms or ammunition during a state of emergency. more...
March 26, 2007 Gun owners could get a guarantee that their firearms and ammunition won’t be seized during a state of emergency under a bill headed today to the state Senate floor. more...
March 25, 2007 "If you ask them, they say they're not trying to kill the bill, but clearly they are," said Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris, referring to local government lobbyists. more...
March 25, 2007 If the Big Quake hits West Tennessee, Sen. Mark Norris doesn't want police to confiscate everyone's guns. more...
March 24, 2007 Senate Bill 1597, sponsored by Senator Mark Norris (R-32) and its companion bill, House Bill 1285, sponsored by Representative Chris Crider (R-79) are making their way though the Senate and the House of Representatives. more...
March 24, 2007 Norris acknowledged some unhappiness among the health care lobbyists for having been left out of the original talks. more...
March 23, 2007 Norris said the two sides are discussing the details of pre-certification and whether opposing lawyers should have more access to a plaintiff's medical information before a case gets under way. more...
March 23, 2007 “Is it he doesn’t intend to abide by the Second Amendment?” Norris said. “I can’t imagine any governor in the country opposing this legislation.” more...
March 22, 2007 "She seems sort of weak, just not very strong. Just a little frail," Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, said. more...
March 21, 2007 The Senate versions were sponsored by Sen. Bill Ketron, R-Murfreesboro, and Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris of Collierville. Both bills had already gained full Senate approval. more...
March 21, 2007 "I bet we don't get to it today," he said. "But more time is always a good thing." The committee adjourned a few minutes later. more...
March 20, 2007 Senator Mark Norris, a Memphis Republican, sponsored the bill and says it underwrites a process begun last fall by the state administration. more...
March 20, 2007 Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris questioned Androphy about whether he thinks launching investigations is part of his responsibilities. more...
March 20, 2007 Tennessee's proposal, sponsored by Rep. Gary Odom, D-Nashville, and Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, is moving through the General Assembly. more...
March 19, 2007 The Senate bill is sponsored by Mark Norris of Collierville. more...
March 19, 2007 The issue may come to a head Tuesday when Norris has scheduled a hearing on the compromise bill in the Senate Judiciary Committee. more...
March 19, 2007 Norris said negotiators are trying to find a way to streamline the process and still adhere to health privacy laws. more...
March 19, 2007 "At the end of the day, we (in state government) are still a guarantor," Norris said. more...
March 17, 2007 Norris said he hoped it would cut down on frivolous lawsuits that drive up insurance costs for doctors. more...
March 17, 2007 "The Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms is never more precious than during natural disasters or declared emergencies when self-defense can be the key to survival," said Norris in a statement. more...
March 16, 2007 "Mike has always been an independent thinker. I will continue to count on him for some votes and I will maybe have to work a little harder for other votes," said Norris. more...
“The Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms is never more precious than during natural disasters or declared emergencies when self defense can be the key to survival,” Norris said. more...
March 15, 2007 "Right now there are constitutional questions about whether local law enforcement officials have the ability to detain and question illegal aliens," sponsor Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, said. more...
March 14, 2007 "There has been a constitutional debate about whether it's appropriate for state law enforcement officials to detain and question, let alone arrest," Senator Mike Norris (R - Collierville) said. more...
March 14, 2007 Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris, R-Collierville, and House Judiciary Chairman Rob Briley, D-Nashville, have been working with lawyers and health care providers on a compromise. more...
March 13, 2007 As Senate Majority Leader, it is my hope we can do so to effectively fight crime and make our streets safer sooner than later. more...
Norris said he thought Flinn “should have an opportunity” to have his bill discussed “and at least get to first base, and that didn’t happen.” more...
March 11, 2007 But then the Republican sponsors of the bill, Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris of Collierville and Rep. Doug Overbey of Maryville, actually decided to negotiate. more...
March 11, 2007 As Senate majority leader, it is my hope we can do so to effectively fight crime and make our streets safer sooner than later. more...
March 10, 2007 "The governor will readily admit that it is his responsibility to propose something, and sometimes all governors need to be reminded that it'sthe Legislature that disposes what he proposes," Norris said. more...
March 9, 2007 Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris, a Republican from Collierville, says relations remain "cordial" with the governor's office, despite some increased rhetoric. more...
March 9, 2007 Rep. Rob Briley (D-Nashville), the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, and Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville) have put together a deal on the issue. more...
March 9, 2007 Norris, Senate sponsor of the "Crooks with Guns" bill, said the national study reinforces the need for his legislation. more...
March 8, 2007 “It just remains to be seen whether any of it makes a difference,” said Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris said. more...
March 7, 2007 "This will give more time for more people to take a look at the amendments we have filed on it," he said. more...
March 7, 2007 Norris took exception to the notion that lobbyists for interested groups should have been involved in the negotiations. more...
March 7, 2007 It is being hammered out by House Judiciary Chairman Rob Briley of Nashville and Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris of Collierville, both lawyers. more...
March 7, 2007 The bill is sponsored by House Majority Leader Gary Odom, D-Nashville, in the House and by Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris, R-Collierville. more...
March 7, 2007 "The alternative is political gamesmanship and posturing, and I'm not in it for that," said Norris, who as a lawyer has defended hospitals against lawsuits. more...
March 6, 2007 Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris said "Governor Bredesen says he's not in favor of giving any taxpayers money back, and we are, so we have to get over that hurdle first." more...
March 6, 2007 “If we voted on the budget tomorrow, he couldn’t pass it,” the West Tennessee senator said. more...
March 6, 2007 "Sounds like sour grapes to me," said Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris, R-Collierville. more...
March 5, 2007 "I think its just a question of Ketron getting his legislation there to codify what is already in existing regulations and maybe the administration is a little embarrassed by that," Norris tells WDEF News 12. more...
March 5, 2007 The speaker said the state budget has gone up 37 percent since Gov. Bredesen came into office in 2003. more...
March 5, 2007 "Sounds like sour grapes to me," Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris, R-Collierville, said when asked about the proposal before it was filed. more...
March 5, 2007 State Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris, R-Collierville, has sponsored a bill to push the date from the second Tuesday in February to the first Tuesday in February. more...
March 2, 2007 “New York reduced crime by over 50 percent using a law like this,” Norris said. “We need to get serious about reducing crime in Tennessee.” more...
March 2, 2007 Norris is sponsoring a bill known as the "Crooks with Guns" bill. more...
March 2, 2007 It is hard to find an overly compelling reason not to support this proposal. more...
Norris, as well as Rep. John J. DeBerry Jr., D-Memphis, said the Legislature has to step up to the challenge of making Tennessee’s cities and streets safer. more...
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. more...
February 28, 2007 The Public Safety Coalition is throwing its weight behind a bill sponsored by Senate Republican Caucus Leader Mark Norris of Collierville, which would mandate a 10-year prison sentence more...
February 27, 2007 State Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris, R-Collierville, is sponsoring a bill to push the date from the second Tuesday in February to the first Tuesday in February. more...
February 26, 2007 Republican state Senator Mark Norris of Collierville is sponsoring a bill to push the date from the second Tuesday in February to the first Tuesday in February. more...
February 26, 2007 Republican state Senator Mark Norris of Collierville is sponsoring a bill to push the date from the second Tuesday in February to the first Tuesday in February. more...
Feb 24, 2007 "Where there's smoke there's fire," Norris says, "and you know if they look into it and find all is well, then we'll all feel better about that. more...
February 21, 2007 Norris said. “It’s a lot of money, a lot of new spending, some of which is warranted, the rest of which is questionable, particularly when there does not appear to be a reserve for legislative initiatives.” more...
Tennessee Democrats and Republicans are working together on a political topic they actually agree on – moving the state’s presidential primary up on the calendar so Tennessee can be a factor in the 2008 election. more...
February 16, 2007 The rights of the citizen under attack are inherent in the current laws, but are not delineated, said state Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, who has a pending bill. more...
February 16, 2007 Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris said he will work with members to reduce the number of proposals filed, but said he also recognizes that old habits are hard to break. more...
February 14, 2007 NASHVILLE -- Spurred by violent crime in Memphis and elsewhere, Tennessee legislators have filed several bills to expand the legal rights of people to use deadly force when threatened by would-be attackers. more...
February 13, 2007 State Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville) has been named a Principal of the National Intergovernmental Forum on Transportation Finance in Washington, D.C. more...
February 9, 2007 State Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville) has been named a Principal of the National Intergovernmental Forum on Transportation Finance in Washington, D.C. more...
Together, the participants will study and make recommendations on the role of government in transportation finance and ways to finance transportation systems within the United States. more...
February 6, 2007 Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris of Collierville said Republicans "embrace his willingness to move forward on education," more...
February 5, 2007 Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris, a Collierville Republican, noted that there are lawmakers in both parties interested in a cigarette tax hike. more...
February 5, 2007 Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris, R-Collierville, noted that there are lawmakers in both parties interested in a cigarette tax hike, but added: "I am not one of them, but I'm willing to keep an open mind." more...
February 2, 2007 State Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville) introduced a new version of his website, www.marknorris.org , more...
January 31, 2007 Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville) said the GOP is going to give the idea of popularly electing constitutional officers “increasingly serious consideration.” more...
January 29, 2007 Nevertheless, Sen. Mark Norris, a Collierville Republican who was recently elected majority leader, said West Tennessee will regain offices. more...
January 29, 2007 "Some of the offices, West Tennessee no longer holds; but West Tennessee will again in the future," said Norris, who has considered a race for governor. more...
January 29, 2007 Black said she and Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris surveyed all GOP caucus members - finding some "very adamant" and even emotional on both sides of the moving issue - then made the decision to stay for practical reasons. more...
January 21, 2007 Senate Republican Majority Leader Mark Norris of Collierville described the speech as "upbeat and optimistic." more...
January 20, 2007 Sen. Jim Tracy, R-Shelbyville, will chair the Transportation Committee. He replaces Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, who is now Senate majority leader. more...
January 19, 2007 According to published reports, Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris has thrown his support behind Clarksville Senator Rosalind Kurita for Senate Speaker Pro Tem. more...
January 19, 2007 "I look forward to working with the administration and those legislators across the aisle to further our goals and continue our work," Norris said in a statement. more...
January 19, 2007 Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville) said he called new Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey (R-Blountville) Thursday and recommended Kurita for the Speaker Pro Tem position, the Senate’s No. 2 ranking spot behind speaker. more...
January 19, 2007 Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris, R-Collerville, announced Thursday that he has recommended that Lt. Gov. Ramsey name Sen. Kurita to the Senate's No. 2 spot, speaker pro tem. more...
January 18, 2007 Republican Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville) has named Liz Alvey to the position of Senior Policy Advisor. more...
January 18, 2007 Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris, R-Collierville, said Republicans intend to treat Sen. Wilder "with respect." more...
January 16, 2007 Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, was elected last week by fellow Senate Republicans to serve as the Senate Majority Leader. more...
January 15, 2007 State Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, hopes the legislature's role in setting parameters will be minimal. more...
January 14, 2007 State Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, was elected this week by Senate Republicans to serve as the Senate Majority Leader. more...
January 12, 2007 NASHVILLE, Tenn. --- State Senator Mark Norris, (R-Collierville), was elected this week by fellow Senate Republicans to serve as the Senate Majority Leader. more...
January 11, 2007 State Sen. Mark Norris has officially taken over as the chairman of the Republican Caucus. more...
January 11, 2007 Of the other three Republicans who held committee chairs under Wilder, two have retired from the Legislature and another, Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, is ineligible because he has been elected Senate Republican leader. more...
January 11, 2007 Republicans elected Sen. Mark Norris of Germantown to succeed Ramsey as Senate majority leader and Sen. Diane Black of Gallatin was elected caucus chairwoman. more...
January 11, 2007 State Senator Mark Morris of Collierville was unanimously confirmed by his GOP colleagues Wednesday to the post of Senate majority leader more...
January 11, 2007 The legislation was important, Norris said, because it discourages lenders from being unscrupulous and provides statutory protections for people who obtain mortgages in Tennessee. more...
January 11, 2007 Sen. Mark Norris (R-Collierville), who took Ramsey’s place Wednesday as Senate Majority Leader, said he expects the Republicans’ plans to include tort reform, allowing seniors’ property taxes to be frozen, as well as cutting the sales tax off food. more...
January 10, 2007 State Sen. Mark Norris (R-Collierville) was elected to serve as the GOP's new Majority Leader, the position held until yesterday by new Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey (R-Blountville). more...
January 9, 2007 State Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, has filed a bill that would set $50,000 as the ceiling for annual household income for seniors to be eligible for the tax freeze. Sen. Doug Jackson, D-Dickson, has filed a bill with a $60,000 ceiling. more...
January 9, 2007 The move would allow "local law enforcement officers to take federal training at federal expense. It is a win-win situation," said Sen. Mark Norris of Collierville, the Senate's second-ranking Republican. more...
January 8, 2007 State Senator Mark Norris, who represents Trooper Jenks’ home county of Tipton, said, “I’m not sure many people knew this occurred.” more...
January 7, 2007 Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris, a Republican, and House Majority Leader Gary Odom, a Democrat, list removing sales tax from food in their top legislative priorities. more...
January 4, 2007 State Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, currently is serving his second term in the Tennessee legislature. more...
January 3, 2007 “Steve Southerland is a highly respected member of our legislature and has the ability to bring people together,” Norris said. more...
January 3, 2007 The legislative session starts Tuesday, but Republicans haven't worked out the details of this year's legislative proposal, said Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, Republican leader in the Senate. more...
