• 2007 Session Review PDF•
A Message from Our Republican Leader
Senate Republican Leadership brings a healthy, new diversity to our chamber. In January, following the election of East Tennessean, Ron Ramsey, as Senate Speaker, I was honored to be elected the first Republican Majority Leader from West Tennessee. Diane Black, from Middle Tennessee, is the first Republican woman in history to serve as Caucus Chair. We represent Tennessee’s three Grand Divisions which provides not only geographic balance but the ability for Republicans to better represent rural and suburban interests as well as urban concerns across the entire state.
For the first time in nearly 140 years, the General Assembly is no longer controlled exclusively by Democrats. This shift in power made a real difference in 2007.
We passed a $27.8 billion budget, but we also began to cut taxes. This included a half cent on the sales tax on food, which was originally opposed by the Democrat Administration; property tax relief for senior citizens and disabled veterans; and two sales tax holidays – one in August and another next March.
We overhauled education funding under the Republican plan which not only reformulates funding but demands real accountability.
The tragic bridge collapse in Minneapolis is a reminder of the importance of safety and the need to maintain investment in Tennessee’s infrastructure. We amended the Administration’s budget to stop the diversion of transportation funds to other uses, and we began to repay the transportation trust fund.
Despite the Administration’s early opposition, Republicans upheld Tennesseans’ Second Amendment rights as well. We enacted legislation to assure that no governor is entitled to confiscate weapons from law abiding citizens during a declared emergency.
Last year, the Administration blocked legislation for training State Troopers in customs and immigration enforcement. This year was different. Thanks to Republican legislation, State Troopers now have the ability to join our fight against illegal immigration.
Finally, we pushed for passage of legislation imposing tougher sentences on repeat offenders convicted of gun crimes in Tennessee. The Administration initially opposed it, but law enforcement officials and citizens from across the state came out in droves to support it. By the time we left Nashville this year, we adopted the toughest criminal sentencing reform in more than twenty years here in Tennessee.
These are just a few examples of the difference Republican leadership has made. In the final analysis, it took “new management” and Republican leadership to set new priorities, to give new meaning to the separation of powers, and to restore the checks and balances our founding fathers intended.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve, particularly at this historic time in our state’s great history, and for giving strength to our cause.
Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris
Tennessee Flag Display
for Organ Donation Awareness
