(NASHVILLE, TN), January 5, 2012 -- State Senator Doug Overbey (R-Maryville) said today he is very pleased with the comprehensive public safety package presented by Governor Bill Haslam today.  Overbey said he is particularly pleased the legislation includes steps to curb prescription drug abuse and gang violence.

The package was released as lawmakers get ready to return to Capitol Hill on Tuesday for the 2012 legislative session.

 “I am very supportive of Governor Haslam’s public safety package,” said Senator Overbey.  “I look forward to working with him as these bills comes before us in the Senate Judiciary Committee.”

Overbey, who is Vice-Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, sponsored legislation approved last year to authorize judges to allow a district attorney to use a wiretap when the interception may provide evidence of criminal gang-related activities in aggravated burglaries. He also co-sponsored several new laws cracking down on drug abuse, including the “I Hate Meth” law and the new “pill mill” statute to curb prescription drug abuse in pain clinics.

The three goals of the Governor’s public safety multi-year action plan are to significantly reduce drug abuse and drug trafficking; curb violent crime; and lower the rate of repeat offenders.  The multi-year strategy includes:

• Making improvements to the current prescription drug data base to make it easier to identify abusers;
• Developing regional alliances with other states to tackle prescription drug abuse;
  Placing non-violent drug addicts into drug court treatment programs;
• Imposing tougher sentences for certain types of gang-related crimes;
  Enacting tougher sentences for gun possession by those with prior violent felony convictions;
• Realigning under the Department of Correction the supervision of adult felony offenders to include probation, parole and community corrections; and
• Mandating incarceration time for repeat domestic violence offenders.
   
  Eight of the identified action steps are already underway. Some of those steps include:
•  Development of a real-time database to track the purchases of pseudoephedrine products (commonly used to make meth);
• A statewide meth lab clean-up system;
• Development of a new anti-meth communications campaign;
• In-depth training of all state road troopers on drug interdiction; and
• A pilot effort in Shelby County to create a one-stop shop for assistance and services to inmates returning to the community.

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(NASHVILLE, TN), January 5, 2012 – State Senator Doug Overbey (R-Maryville) expressed disappointment with today’s announcement by Alcoa, Inc. (Aluminum Company of America) to permanently close its smelter in Blount County.  Overbey said he would like to see an aggressive redevelopment effort to find new uses for the site that could lead to job creation for those displaced by the announcement.

 “I am deeply disappointed by the company’s decision to close the Blount County plant,” said Senator Overbey. “My first concern is for the workers and their families who are directly impacted by this announcement.  I pledge to work with Alcoa in its efforts for redevelopment and to find new uses for the site, especially those that might lead to job creation.”

 Overbey said that, although the absence of a competitive long-term power contract for the smelter may not have been  the only factor in Alcoa’s decision,  the cost of energy used on the pots lines  likely played a role.

Legislation sponsored by State Senator Doug Overbey (R-Maryville) in 2009 called for the Board Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) “to proceed with all due haste” and finalize a competitive long-term power contract with the Alcoa.  The resolution, SJR 622, was approved unanimously after all members of the State Senate signed on to co-sponsor the measure.

Alcoa has been in operation in Blount County since 1913, nearly three decades before the TVA was established.

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(NASHVILLE, TN), November 16, 2011 – State Senator Doug Overbey (R-Maryville) and Representative Art Swann (R-Maryville) said today that the recent announcement that Blount County Representative Bob Ramsey will chair the House State and Local Government Committee moves Ramsey into a key leadership role in the Tennessee General Assembly.  The Committee is considered one of the most powerful in the State Legislature.  The Ramsey appointment was made by Speaker of the House of Representatives Beth Harwell earlier this week.

“This is a key leadership position in the Tennessee General Assembly,” said Senator Overbey.  “The legislation that moves through this committee has a direct effect on just about every citizen in Tennessee.  This committee has one of the heaviest loads of legislation in the State House and hears complex matters of great importance on a wide variety of issues.”

"I believe that Speaker Harwell made the best choice in selecting Representative Ramsey,” said Rep. Swann.  “His background in Local Government is probably unparalleled in the General Assembly. This selection will be good for Tennessee and Blount County."

The State and Local Government Committee hears such matters as local and municipal affairs (forms of local government, powers to tax and raise revenue, local ordinances, local government employees, local government expenditures); cultural affairs; alcoholic beverage taxes and regulations of sale; election laws; holidays and celebrations; military parks and battlefields; museums; preservation of historical markers; private utility districts; public lands; state and public libraries; state government in general; Veteran's affairs; annexation; and penal and correctional institutions.

Ramsey was elected to two seats formerly held by Senator Overbey in the County Commission and the House of Representatives.

“I congratulate Representative Ramsey on this appointment and know he will do an excellent job as Chairman,” added Overbey.  “I am very proud of his accomplishments and look forward to continuing to see great things from him in the future.”  

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 (NASHVILLE, TN) October 14, 2011 – The Tennessee Nurses Association (TNA)  today honored State Senator Doug Overbey (R-Maryville) with their 2011 Outstanding Legislator Award.  The top legislative honor was awarded to Overbey at a statewide meeting of the organization at the Cool Springs Marriott in Franklin, Tennessee.  

“Senator Overbey is being honored for his accomplishments as a legislator, his willingness to listen and his openness and accessibility,” said TNA Executive Director Sharon Atkins, MSN, RN.  “When contacted by nurse constituents, he is always quick to respond and take the time to listen to what is being said.  He has thoughtfully and adeptly considered advanced issues related to health and healthcare in Tennessee.  The Tennessee Nurses Association appreciates the opportunity to partner with him to improve healthcare by supporting a robust practice of professional nursing in the state.”

“I am very honored to receive this award,” said Senator Overbey.  “Nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system.  I look forward to continuing to work with the state’s nurses to improve the quality of healthcare for our citizens and to bring innovative new solutions to the issues we face in our state.”

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