From Mark's Desk:
December 1, 2006 

November 30th Tennessean

The story on the front page of the November 30 Tennessean regarding transportation funding is inaccurate. First, there is no discussion of a "GPS user fee" system replacing the gas tax in the Senate Transportation Committee. Second, there is no legislation regarding this type of funding. Third, the author of today's article interviewed me at length on November 17 about increasing the gas tax. In short, the article bears little resemblance to the discussion I had with her that day.

My position has been, and continues to be, that the gas tax you are already paying is sufficient if the state uses it for its intended purpose and not for other government programs as is presently the case.

I have been working with the Nashville media today in an effort to correct the errors which have been published. The Tennessean has offered to print a correction on December 1. Thank you for the opportunity to set the record straight.

Mark Norris
Senator