• 2008 Session Review PDF •
A Message from Our Republican Leader
The 105th General Assembly has come to a close, and I want to thank all of those who have supported Senate Republicans in our work for the citizens of Tennessee.
We began the 105th General Assembly in January 2007 with the first Republican Lt. Governor in 140 years. I was honored to be elected the first Republican Senate Majority Leader in state history from West Tennessee. Diane Black became the first woman to serve as Republican Caucus Chair.
Together, we have demonstrated that our brand of leadership works when it comes to making Tennessee a better place to live, to work, to worship, and to age with grace and dignity.
Your support gave us the opportunity to put conservative leadership to work. Through thick and thin, we balanced the budget with existing revenues. Although revenues for several quarters were the lowest in over forty years, we managed to cut the budget yet increase funding for education, long-term care and criminal justice.
Last year, I sponsored and enacted the toughest criminal sentencing reform legislation since 1987 to crack down on crooks with guns. This year, you made it possible for me to sponsor and pass the first medical liability reform in more than a quarter century designed to improve access to affordable health care for all Tennesseans.
We reduced the sales tax on food, provided property tax relief for senior citizens, increased lottery scholarships, and finished with the largest cash reserve on deposit in state history.
Thank you for making history with us as we continue to provide leadership that works for all of Tennessee. With your continued support, the best is yet to come.
Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris
Tennessee Flag Display
for Organ Donation Awareness
