Norris: Voting is crucial

By Mark Ali, Shelby Sun Times, SNC
August 15, 2008

State Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris (Rep.) spoke during the Republican Women of Purpose Luncheon last week to remind citizens that it matters who governs.

"We are in the midst of an election year and now more than ever we have to redouble our efforts to get people to vote," Norris said. "The well-being of the country depends on who governs and who governs depends on who votes."

Norris compared the country's current situation to conditions during WWII, citing an example of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt carrying a personal poem in her purse at all times to remind herself that soldiers were dying for her. "We are fighting for our rights," Norris said. "Not just overseas, but within our government as well."

Norris explained that his job is to convince the majority of the Senate to do what is best for the people of Tennessee. Norris is the first Republican leader in West Tennessee history.

He went on to highlight major accomplishments achieved at the state level since the Republican Party assumed control of the Senate in 2007. "My mission is to grow the Republican majority in the Senate," Norris said. "With the right majority we can do things right."

During the past two years, the Senate has been focused on reducing the size of state government and spending, and they have cut the state budget again this year by eliminating roughly 2,100 state jobs. Legislation they have initiated includes a property tax rebate for senior citizens, the tax relief for disabled veterans and the recent sales tax holiday.

"You would be amazed at the amount of teachers I spoke to who said they used the sales tax holiday to buy supplies for their classrooms," Norris said. "It is this type of effect we are trying to create in the community."

Other issues the state has been able to accomplish over the past two years include passing a bill allowing state highway patrol officers to be trained in customs and immigration enforcement, passing the medical liability reform and initiating tougher sentences for those who commit violent crimes with illegal guns.

Norris said that if Republicans had not secured the majority in the Senate, these bills never would have been passed.

"I recognize that the attitude of the nation is not the best right now," Norris said. "A lot of people feel tired, discouraged and that nothing they do will make a difference. But don't give up; don't settle for the current state of things. We all can make a difference together."