Norris Recognized for Supporting Tennessee’s Small and Independent Businesses

September 29, 2005

NASHVILLE, Tenn.  --- State Senator Mark Norris (R-Collierville) was recognized for his support of Tennessee small business by the Memphis Area Action Council of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).

Norris was honored at a recognition banquet in Memphis on September 26. He chairs the Senate Transportation and Safety Committee and is vice-chairman of the 16 state Southern Legislative Conference Economic Development, Transportation and Cultural Affairs Committee.

“We’ve recognized Senator Norris for his consistent and vigorous defense of Tennessee’s small and independent businesses, and for significantly reducing the burden of oppressive state regulations,” said NFIB State Director Rob Ikard. “He recognized an opportunity to help relieve small businesses from burdensome regulations.”

Earlier this year, federal regulators threatened to withhold highway funds from Tennessee unless the state agreed to enforce interstate regulations against smaller, in-state, vehicles such as plumbers’ vans and landscaping trucks.

“Regulations designed for heavy over-the-road trucks were being enforced against small business vehicles,” Norris said. “We had a situation where we had to pass a bill or risk losing $46 million in federal funds.”

Unaware that the state could exempt itself from the most oppressive regulations, Tennessee transportation and safety officials unwittingly proposed to allow the regulatory expansion to proceed unchecked.

“We were first told by the federal representatives that there was no choice,” Norris said. “However, after doing our homework, we found that Tennessee can exempt many vehicles coming in under the 26,000 pound level. We amended the legislation to reflect our solution.”

“I appreciate this recognition from the NFIB,” Norris said. “Small businesses are important to Tennessee, and we’ll continue working to keep government from interfering with their success.”