Week of February 26, 2007

GOP Senate Takes on Illegal Immigration

There is no doubt that one of the hottest political topics deals with illegal immigration.  Rarely a day goes by without someone discussing the issue on a talk show or even in the local barbershop.  The Governor has tiptoed all around the issue and has done little to address the situation (except sending men and women of the Tennessee National Guard to the U.S.-Mexican border to “observe” the situation firsthand).  The Republicans in the Senate have stood their ground in the past and are continuing to work to make Tennessee a less attractive place for illegal aliens.

Sen. Bill Ketron (R-Murfreesboro) is leading the charge.  Ketron has filed a number of bills that deal with the situation.  One of his proposals received attention this week as it moved through the committees to the Senate floor.  SB 201 would require that all written drivers license examinations be given in English unless the person has written security clearance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

“I feel this bill takes the first step toward protecting the sovereignty of our country,” said the bill’s sponsor, state Sen. Bill Ketron (R-Murfreesboro) who wants the legislation to send a message to illegal immigrants. “This is the United States of America, and we speak English here.”
                                                              -Chattanooga Times Free Press

Some have accused the bill of being mean-spirited and sending “the wrong message”.  Others have said that the legislation is not needed because as amended, the department is already doing what the bill requires.  Sen. Ketron responds by saying that he is glad that the department is currently doing this.  “It is good policy,” said Sen. Ketron, “but in Tennessee it needs to be a law on the books to ensure that we are always doing this.”
 
Another key piece of the package includes SB 899 by Ketron. This bill would require that a person be a United States citizen in order to hold the office of notary public.

Sen. Mark Norris (R-Collierville) has also filed SB 1611 which would require identification and proof of citizenship for voter registration.

Sen. Jack Johnson (R-Brentwood) along with Sens. Ketron and Norris have all sponsored legislation to give employers tools to ensure that they are hiring legal United States citizens.  The “Employer Responsibility in Hiring Practices Act” would require that employers confirm the immigration status prior to an individual’s employment by using the federal electronic work authorization verification service provided by the United States Department of Homeland Security pursuant to the federal Basic Pilot Program Extension and Expansion Act of 2003.

Sen. Dewayne Bunch (R-Cleveland) has introduced SB 690 to impose a 25% tax on money orders purchased by non-U.S. citizens.

Campaign Song Written by Crowe Wins Award

The American Advertising Federation has announced that WBEJ in Elizabethton won a Silver ADDY Award for its production of a David Davis for Congress campaign song.  The song was written by Sen. Rusty Crowe (R-Johnson City) and performed by members of the East Tennessee State University Bluegrass Band.  Sen. Crowe also makes an appearance on the song.

“I wanted to find a way to separate David from all the other candidates,” said Sen. Crowe. “ Lamar Alexander had his plaid shirt…Fred Thompson had his red truck… so I came up with this song to showcase David’s campaign.”

The ADDY Awards are the world’s largest and one of the toughest advertising competitions.  According to the American Advertising Federation, the ADDY Awards “represent the true spirit of creative excellence” in advertising.

The song can be heard by visiting rightforcongress.com or by clicking here.

Tracy Honored by TSBA

Sen. Jim Tracy (R-Shelbyville) received the Tennessee School Board Association’s (TSBA) 2007 Legislative Award at the annual TSBA legislative breakfast.

“Senator Tracy has established himself as a key leader on education issues,” said Amy Martin, President-elect of the TSBA and member of the Bedford County Board of Education.  “I am pleased and honored to be able to present this year’s TSBA Legislative Award to Senator Tracy.”

Organized in 1939, the TSBA is a statewide organization that assists local school boards in areas such as legislation, school law, policies and community relations.

Currently serving as the Chairman of the Transportation Committee, Tracy is also on the Education Committee.  Prior to being elected to the General Assembly,  he served on the Board of Education in Bedford County.      
 
Republicans Take the Lead on Public Safety

The Tennessee Public Safety Coalition (TPSC) held a press conference this week in the Senate Chamber to emphasize the importance of certain public safety legislation.  Three key initiatives were highlighted by the organization made up of District Attorneys, Police Chiefs, and Sheriffs from across the state.

Sen. Paul Stanley (R-Germantown) spoke at the press conference about SB 1322 that he is sponsoring to target gang violence.  Known as the “Street Terrorism” legislation, the bill proposes to change the penalty for someone convicted of committing a violent crime in concert with two or more other people to a Class A felony.  The offense is currently a Class B felony.

Also appearing at the event was Sen. Mark Norris (R-Collierville). He addressed legislation that he has filed called the “Crooks with Guns” bill. If passed SB 1967 would enhance the penalty for convicted felons in possession of firearms by requiring a mandatory ten year sentence served day-for-day.

The third initiative that was highlighted by the TPSC was SB 1554 sponsored by Sen. Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge).  The “District Attorney Staffing” legislation would allow additional assistant district attorney positions across the state.
“It is time we took a stand, as a state, against violence and crime in our communities,” said Montgomery County Sheriff Norman Lewis, chairman of the TPSC. “It should not be acceptable to any Tennessean to see an increase in crime—specifically violent crime—year after year.”