For Immediate Release  Contact: Darlene Schlicher (615) 741-6336

 (NASHVILLE, TN), September 14, 2010  - Local State Senator Mike Faulk said today that he has been informed that the New Tazewell Police Department has been awarded a highway safety grant of $4,995 to support high visibility law enforcement efforts.  Faulk said the grant will aid in his efforts to help curb drunk driving on Tennessee’s roads. 
 
"I am very pleased that so many law enforcement agencies in our Senate District, including this one in Claiborne County, will receive these grants," said Senator Faulk.  "I'm especially pleased that these grants can be used to aid in our efforts to rid our streets of drunk driving.”

Faulk has focused on passage of legislation to crack down on drunk drivers over the past two years, including a new law he sponsored to require offenders to lose their license at their first court appearance if they refuse to take a blood or breath test. He also sponsored legislation to keep second and subsequent offenders from putting off their DUI trial in order to avoid stiffer penalties. That new law requires that the “look-back period” be measured from arrest-to-arrest instead of conviction-to-conviction. In addition, Faulk sponsored a new law providing for a consistent, uniform definition for “visibly intoxicated“ to aid in pursuing drunk drivers and to require interlock devices be used for second offenders or first offenders with high blood-alcohol content levels.

The awards, which will be disbursed by the Governor’s Highway Safety Office (GHSO), are provided to agencies that successfully applied for funding based on problem and statistical need.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides the funding for GHSO grants.  Applications were reviewed and scored by the GHSO and external highway safety advocates.  The agencies that met the criteria for funding received awards. 

“Grants like these aid our legislative efforts as we partner with local officials to make our streets safer,” added Faulk.  “I congratulate all local officials who helped secure this award.  I am also very pleased that we have received these safety grants throughout our State Senate district.”     ###

(NASHVILLE, TN), September 2, 2010 – State Senator Dolores Gresham (R-Somerville) said today she is very pleased that small businesses will have an advocate to help them cut through the red tape of government when they need assistance.  The announcement follows Tennessee Comptroller Justin Wilson’s appointment of Joshua Helton to the newly-created position of Small Business Advocate for Tennessee. 

Gresham successfully co-sponsored Senate Bill 3484 this year, which established the position.  Helton’s office will mediate and assist with resolution of issues concerning small business owners and state departments and agencies.  Gresham said the new law also requires all state departments and agencies with regulatory authority over businesses to designate a point person who will deal directly with the Small Business Advocate when issues or questions arise.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy,” said Senator Gresham.  “This new position provides help for small business owners who too often have a difficult time cutting through the red tape of state government.”

In addition, the new law requires the small business advocate to prepare an annual report on their office’s activities, findings and recommendations for transmission to the governor, members of the General Assembly and the heads of the affected departments and agencies to make sure officials are notified about any problems or concerns.  Gresham believes this will provision will help identify better ways to assist small business owners in the future.

“We must streamline state government to work more efficiently and effectively,” added Gresham.  “I look forward to hearing from Mr. Helton regarding his recommendations.”

Helton worked for the private law firm of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz before joining the Comptroller’s staff as the legislative auditor last September.   He can be reached on the toll-free number at 1-866-831-3750 or by email at smallbusiness.advocate@tn.gov or by visiting the Small Business Advocate website at http://www.comptroller1.state.tn.us/OSBA.