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April 20, 2007
The Senate began the week by passing important legislation that will help protect the sanctity of the ballot box. SB 227 by Sen. Bill Ketron (R-Murfreesboro) provides that individuals present photo identification in order to vote.
Currently citizens may present a valid voter registration card, drivers license, social security card, credit card with a signature or other document bearing the applicant’s signature. SB 227 will limit the types of identification that a person can present to only official documentation that contains a photo of the person.
Under the proposed legislation, individuals desiring to vote without proper photo identification will be allowed to cast a provisional ballot. If a voter does not have any form of proper photo identification, and they are unable to afford a valid form of identification, the Department of Safety will issue an identification card upon the voter’s signing a pauper’s oath.
Sen. Ketron was able to win approval for the measure despite opposition from a number of Democrat Senators. The bill passed with 10 Democrats voting in opposition. The companion bill was subsequently killed in a House subcommittee on Tuesday.
The State Senate approved an important measure on Thursday that will make Tennessee a less attractive place to illegal aliens. SB 1870 by Sen. Jack Johnson (R-Brentwood) passed the Senate by an overwhelming majority of 27-2.
Known as the “Employer Responsibility in Hiring Practices Act”, the bill will require employers to use the Employment Eligibility Verification Basic Pilot Program to ensure that new hires are eligible to legally work in the United States. The program is a web-based system that is operated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
“We are the first state in the nation to require that all employers use the Employment Eligibility Verification Program,” stated Johnson. “State government must be proactive in providing employers the tools they need to comply with federal immigration laws.”
Under the provisions of the proposed bill, there will be no cost to the employers. If the employer does not have internet access, they may contact the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development by telephone, mail, or facsimile to verify the employee’s employment eligibility.
“Illegal immigration is a serious problem,” said Johnson. “We are feeling the effects in our schools, in our hospital emergency rooms and with our law enforcement agencies. Our goal is to make Tennessee less attractive for illegal immigrants. This legislation is a giant step in the right direction.”
The bill must now be passed by the House of Representatives and signed by the Governor before becoming law.
The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved the “District Attorney Staffing” legislation sponsored by Sen. Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) this week. SB 1554 would create 64 additional Assistant District Attorney General positions across the state.
The legislation provides that the District Attorneys General Conference, in consultation with the Comptroller of the Treasury, prepare a report recommending the specific judicial districts in which the additional assistant positions should be designated.
The increase in crime has put a heavier burden on prosecutors in this state. According to the Tennessee Public Safety Coalition, this legislation is need to ensure that District Attorneys across Tennessee are able to give quality time to each case for the best possible outcome.
The bill will now go to the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee for action.
Sen. Raymond Finney (R-Maryville) moved a key piece of legislation out of the Senate Commerce, Labor and Agriculture Committee that will protect Tennesseans, especially seniors, from the growing problem of identity theft. SB 161 will enact “The Credit Security Act of 2007”.
The bill is the product of a collaborative effort to address the problem by the business and insurance communities, state and local governments, credit bureaus and especially the AARP of Tennessee.
There are three main components to the bill: a strong, flexible, affordable security freeze; protection of Social Security Numbers; and strengthening of the Consumer Protection Act to combat financial fraud.
The bill was unanimously recommended by the Commerce Committee, and will be acted on by the full Senate next week.
Tennesseans will be allowed to retain more of their hard-earned money during two sales tax holidays this year. The first will take place April 27-29, 2007. The next sales tax holiday will occur August 3-5, 2007.
In recent years, the state has collected more tax revenue than it had planned to spend. This Republican backed initiative is a small way for the state to provide tax relief to the hardworking citizens of Tennessee.
During the sales tax holidays, consumers may purchase clothing, recreational equipment, school supplies and computers without paying the state sales tax.
Retailers and consumers may find further information, including a retailer's guide, fact sheets on clothing, computers and school supplies, and answers to frequently asked questions on the Department of Revenue website at www.tntaxholiday.com.
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