Sen. Kurita: 'Red ribbons serve as DUI reminder'

Sen. Rosalind Kurita is asking citizens to tie a red ribbon on automobile
antennas during this holiday season as a reminder of the consequences of
drinking and driving. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) red ribbons can
be obtained, free of charge, by calling Sen. Kurita at 1-800-449-8366, ext.
12374.
"More public involvement is needed in the fight to prevent drinking and
driving," Sen. Kurita said. "I'm asking concerned citizens to join me again
this year in the annual campaign to help raise public awareness about the
seriousness of DUI. During this holiday season, please tie a red ribbon
around your automobile antenna to show support for safe, sober driving."
The Tie One on For Safety awareness program was created by MADD to bring
attention to driving sober during the holiday season and throughout the
year, Kurita said.
"DUI tragedies impact all of us. That's why I'm asking everyone to join in
this life-saving effort to remind drivers that DUI is a crime. Fatalities
and injuries are caused by people who commit the crime of DUI. Let's join
together to make this holiday season safer and happier for our children and
families."

Sen. Kurita appointed to new 'contracts' oversight panel

The General Assembly's Fiscal Review Committee announced plans this week to
increase legislative oversight of contracts awarded by the state. Senator
Rosalind Kurita was appointed to serve on a new subcommittee charged with
the responsibility to closely monitor contracts.
Senator Kurita said the panel's aim will be to increase accountability for
tax dollars spent for contracted services.
"The Contracts Subcommittee will enhance the Fiscal Review Committee's role
as the legislative "watch dog" over the state's budget," Senator Kurita
said. "As balancing the state budget becomes more difficult, the General
Assembly is becoming more focused on tightening the belt and eliminating
inefficient programs and services. The time has come for state awarded
contracts to be reviewed from top to bottom. As a member of this new
subcommittee, I'll work to identify inefficiencies as well as spending
concerns for contracts that taxpayers would consider low priority or
unnecessary."
Senator Jerry Cooper, Senate Chairman of the Fiscal Review Committee made
the appointment of Senator Kurita. "As a member of the Contracts
Subcommittee, Senator Kurita will be working to ensure efficiency and
accountability in the management of state contracts," Sen. Cooper said.
"Senator Kurita has earned great respect for her ability to analyze problems
in detail. Her direct involvement in reviewing contracts will be of
critical importance."

Park Closings Unnecessary

alternatives ignored

The sign in front of at least one state park reads, "Park closed due to
budget." To be accurate, the sign would read, "Park closed for no good reason."
While some may accept the park closings announced by Governor Sundquist as "no surprise" and a reasonable casualty of budget shortfalls, I don't.
Having participated in countless hours of budget debate on Capitol Hill, I want to share information that leads me to the conclusion that the park closings have more to do with poor management decisions and politics -- and little to do with cost savings. These facts lead me to that conclusion:
1. The Governor says the park closings will save $3.2 million. Meanwhile, the Sundquist administration has purchased additional parcels of land using the Land Acquisition Fund. While the Governor says we can't afford to maintain existing state parks, he has actually purchased additional land.
2. Under Tennessee law, (T.C.A. 67-4-409(j)(2), the state is authorized to spend funds from the Land Acquisition Fund for the operation of state parks. There is currently $8 million available in the land acquisitions fund that could be used to keep our parks open. Instead, the Governor chose to buy more land and close existing parks -- a move that would lack common sense during a real budget crisis.
3. The Governor and the Commissioner of Conservation and Environment blame the legislature for rejecting some of their revenue proposals -- including a plan to sell alcohol in our parks. I voted against the sale of alcohol in parks. I make no apology. I believe it's bad policy for dozens of reasons.
What the Governor's park closing announcement didn't mention is that the state already has the authority to implement fees to operate our parks (T.C.A. 11-1-108(c) and Atty. General opinion no. 00-039). Additional legislation, passed in June, 2000, made the law clear that user fees can be charged and the funds kept specifically to support the parks.
Clearly, the opportunity exists to use Land Acquisition Funds or user fees to keep our parks open. The Governor chose to close the parks.
The Governor's staged announcements of relatively small, but highly visible and painful budget cuts create the perception that this state is bleeding to death. In fact, the overall state budget has increased 5.2% over last year.
While children are losing their playgrounds and parks, the Governor chose to keep all of the state-run golf courses open. In my opinion, the priorities are reversed.
The General Assembly provided viable alternatives to the park closings. The Governor ignored them.Press Release
CONTACT: Senator Rosalind Kurita
Pamela George
Office: (615) 741-2374*Home: (931) 368-0182

General Assembly overrides veto

August 8, 2001

Sen. Kurita: General Assembly overrides veto; 'no new taxes' budget stands

The General Assembly voted Tuesday to override Governor Don Sundquist's veto
of the "no new taxes" budget that passed on July 12. Senator Rosalind
Kurita, who voted to override, said the Governor's push to impose a state
income tax and increase spending by almost $1 billion was "out-of-step" with
Tennessee taxpayers.
"The actions taken by the General Assembly reflect the views of the vast
majority of Tennesseans who want state government to tighten the belt, fix
TennCare and make government run more efficiently," Senator Kurita said.
"The 'no new taxes' budget balances the state's finances without increasing
the sales tax or imposing an income tax. This budget is in-step with the
constituents that I represent."
Senator Kurita said the Governor's plan to increase spending and start new
programs was unrealistic from the start. "At a time when families and
businesses are tightening the belt, the Governor was asking for an extra
billion dollars. It was a tough fight, but in the end, the taxpayers won
when the General Assembly voted to override the veto."
Senator Kurita said overriding the veto prevented the state from reverting
to the temporary budget passed on June 30. "Had the legislature voted to
sustain the Governor's veto, teachers and college faculty would not receive
2.5% cost of living increases. Under the temporary budget, BEP funds would
have been withheld from local school districts and our colleges and
universities would not have been allowed to keep funds from tuition
increases for use in higher education. Even if the General Assembly fixed
problems with the temporary budget, there was no guarantee the Governor
would sign the bill. The best option available was an override of the
Governor's veto."
Senator Kurita said the budget passed by the General Assembly places top
priority on education. The budget passed includes:
* Cost of living increases (2.5%) for school teachers, university
faculty and staff, and state workers;
* Funding for scholarships for needy college students facing tuition
increases;
* Full funding of the Basic Education Program (BEP) for K-12;
* Funds raised from tuition increases will stay in higher education.
The vote to override was 19-12 in the Senate (17 votes needed) and 66-33 in
the House (50 votes needed). Following the veto override, the House and
Senate adjourned until January 2002.

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Senator Rosalind Kurita
Pamela George
Office: (615) 741-2374*Home: (931) 358-2005

July 13, 2001

'No new taxes' budget passes General Assembly

The General Assembly reached a consensus this week, passing a plan that
balances the state budget without increasing the sales tax or imposing a
new state income tax. The "no new taxes" budget cuts $338 million in
spending from the Governor's $19.2 billion proposed budget.
The budget legislation was passed to the Governor following a 20-9 vote in
the Senate and 72-25 vote in the House. Senator Rosalind Kurita voted
"yes" for the no new taxes budget.
Senator Kurita said this year's budget process was complicated by the
Governor's proposal to start an array of new programs requiring more state
funding and placing unfunded mandates on local governments. "The
Governor's budget called for a lot of new money. The administration
proposed costly new programs that the state couldn't afford without new
taxes," Senator Kurita said. "I strive to be the voice of the people that
I represent when I vote on legislation on Capitol Hill. The people in my
district clearly said they did not want to 'grow' government and did not
want an income tax. I listened."
Senator Kurita said the $338 million in budget cuts reflect the "will of
Tennesseans" who favor spending cuts over additional taxes. "These cuts
send a clear signal to taxpayers that members of the Tennessee General
Assembly listen."
Sen. Kurita said the budget places funding priorities on education, health
care and public safety.

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Panel Approves Bill to Fix Drivers'
Testing Station Crisis

CONTACT: Senator Rosalind Kurita
Pamela George
Office: (615) 741-2374*Home: (931) 358-2005



Senator Kurita: 'Proposed legislation would require proof of residency
and fee for re-testing'

Proposed legislation requiring proof of Tennessee residency and fees
for re-testing would help end the long lines and hours of waiting at
drivers' testing stations across the state, according to Senator Rosalind
Kurita. Last week a special Senate panel approved the emergency measure as
a back-up plan to be used if the Sundquist administration doesn't quickly
enact new regulations to fix the problem.
"The problems at drivers' testing stations can be corrected with
legislation or with action by the Governor who can issue new regulations,"
Sen. Kurita said. "We have a legislative remedy that is ready to go, but
the Governor asked the General Assembly not to move forward on the
legislation, preferring instead to draft new regulations. Either approach
is acceptable; delaying action is not."
Under the legislation, driver's license applicants who do not have a
social security number would be required to have documentation from the U.S.
Immigration and Naturalization Service, plus two documents proving residency
in Tennessee. Accepted documents for proof of residency include:
* Utility bills, including telephone service, showing a valid
Tennessee residence;
* Bank statements showing a valid Tennessee residence address;
* Employer verification acceptable by the Dept. of Safety;
* Life or health insurance policies showing a valid Tennessee
residence; and,
* Driver's license issued by the state of Tennessee to a parent, legal
guardian or spouse showing a valid Tennessee residence.
Students enrolled in public or private education institutions in the state
could provide a photo ID and documentation to show the student resides on
campus.
According to the Dept. of Safety, much of the current problem can be
attributed to applicants who fail the test and repeatedly return to retake
the test. The legislation requires a $10 fee for each testing and allows
the Dept. of Safety to impose reasonable waiting periods between re-testing.

ChattanoogaNow | Chattanooga Times Free Press

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Senator Rosalind Kurita
Pamela George
Office: (615) 741-2374*Home: (931) 358-2005

May 11, 2001

Senator Kurita: 'Legislation promotes independent living for seniors'

Legislation aimed at helping seniors keep their independence longer
is moving forward in the General Assembly. Senator Rosalind Kurita
sponsored legislation that will allow seniors who develop minor medical
needs to continue to reside in assisted living homes instead of moving to
more expensive nursing home care.
"This is win-win legislation for seniors and their families for two
important reasons: independence and cost," Sen. Kurita said. "Under current
law, seniors could be moved from assisted living homes to institutional
nursing homes when even minor on-going medical procedures are needed. The
proposed legislation would change state regulations to allow some temporary
medical procedures to be performed by trained professionals in assisted
living homes. This enables seniors to keep the high level of independence
and privacy associated with the homelike atmosphere of assisted living."
Sen. Kurita said an added benefit is cost savings, because assisted
living care is less expensive than nursing home care.
Sen. Kurita said studies have shown that seniors prefer to receive
long-term care services in their own homes or in homelike environments
whenever possible.
The measure passed the Senate Health and Human Resources Committee
this week.

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Senator Rosalind Kurita
Pamela George
Office: (615) 741-2374*Home: (931) 358-2005

General Assembly moves to strengthen auto insurance laws

Senator Rosalind Kurita: 'Mandatory auto insurance is a fairness issue for
Tennessee consumers'

Tennessee consumers who buy auto insurance have for years been hit with the
added burden of paying for coverage to protect themselves from uninsured
motorists. This week the General Assembly moved forward on legislation
requiring all motorists to carry liability insurance -- or face fines and
restrictions on vehicle registration renewal.
The House passed the mandatory insurance measure with an 89-7 vote on
Monday. Companion legislation passed the Senate Finance Committee on
Tuesday and will likely be considered on the floor of the Senate next week.
"This legislation puts some teeth in the state's 24 year-old financial
responsibility law, making liability insurance coverage a legal
responsibility of all motorists," said Senator Rosalind Kurita. "This is
really a fairness issue. It's simply not fair for some to drive uninsured
at the expense and risk of the rest of us."
Senator Kurita said motorists cited for traffic violations or involved in
accidents will be required to show proof they carry liability insurance or
proof they have a $60,000 cash bond posted with the Dept. of Safety.
Effective Jan. 1, 2002, failure to show proof of either sort will result in
a court date and $100 fine. Beginning July 1, 2003, the proposed sanctions
expand to include a requirement that violators show proof of insurance or a
bond as a condition for registering and obtaining tags for a vehicle.
Senator Kurita said motorists who simply forget to carry proof of insurance
or bond won't be fined if they can show the court they were covered at the
time of the traffic violation or accident.
According to the Dept. of Safety, the state is in the process of purchasing
a computer system capable of cross-referencing traffic citations and
accident records with insurance information. Officials need until July 1,
2003 to implement the second phase of the legislation.
Tennessee is one of only three states that does not currently mandate auto
insurance.