April 29th, 2011
(NASHVILLE, TN), April 26, 2011 — Legislation requiring private insurance plans to include coverage of hearing aids for children was approved by the Senate Finance Committee today. The bill, sponsored by Senator Doug Overbey (R-Maryville) and Representative Richard Montgomery (R-Sevierville), requires that certain health insurance policies provide coverage of up to $1,000 per individual hearing aid per ear, every three years, for every child covered as a dependent by the policy holder.
“Hearing loss affects many children in Tennessee, impairing their ability to process information in school and at home,” said Senator Overbey. “This bill will provide some help for struggling families with the expense of getting these children hearing devices.”
Approval by the House Finance Committee is the last step before the bill is placed on the Senate floor calendar for a final vote. The bill has already passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 82 to 12.
“These are hard economic times for many Tennessee families,” added Overbey. “Insurance coverage for hearing devices is very important to help make them affordable so these children grow and learn. I am very pleased this bill has passed this key committee.”
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April 20th, 2011
(NASHVILLE), April 18, 2011 — Legislation strengthening efforts to ensure Tennessee has a strong financial literacy curriculum was approved by the full Senate on Monday night. Senate Bill 912, sponsored by Senator Doug Overbey (R-Maryville) and Senator Rusty Crowe (R-Johnson City), requires the State Board of Education, in consultation with the Tennessee Financial Literacy Commission, to develop guidelines to strengthen personal finance standards and require that certain financial literacy concepts are included as part of the testing standards for social studies.
“This bill continues our efforts to ensure students have an early foundation in the basics of money management to help give them the tools they need to make good financial decisions that will positively impact their future,” said Senator Overbey. “Tennessee is at the top of the nation in the number of bankruptcies and this legislation is an important step in helping create opportunities to teach good financial practices early in life to get us back on the right track.”
Overbey sponsored legislation in 2006 that established a financial literacy curriculum as a means to satisfy a high school credit requirement and has since continued his efforts to promote financial literacy in middle and elementary grades in Tennessee. Last year, the General Assembly passed a law promoted by State Treasurer David Lillard to create an 11-member Tennessee Financial Literacy Commission (TNFLC) to establish a state clearinghouse of information, resources, and assistance for improving financial literacy.
The Commission has been working with financial literacy efforts like the Smart Tennessee initiative, which is a statewide program to integrate financial literacy into the existing K-12 curriculum. Financial support for that program is provided through a unique public/private partnership between the State of Tennessee and First Tennessee Foundation and is now providing financial literacy curriculum across the state.
This year’s legislation requires TNFLC to conduct a formal review of personal financial standards taught in grades K-8 and recommend revisions to the Department of Education and the State Board of Education. This includes recommending the best means to incorporate the personal finance concepts into existing standardized Social Studies testing for grades five and eight.
“The goal of the curriculum is to teach children how to make sound decisions about money as well as other life choices,” added Overbey. “In the long term, Tennessee should benefit, but more importantly this legislation will have a positive effect on the lives of these individual students and their families.”
To learn more about literacy efforts and curriculum in Tennessee, visit: http://treasury.tn.gov/FinLit/FLCClearinghouse.html
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April 11th, 2011
There was something different about the community breakfast Sen. Doug Overbey attended Friday morning at First United Methodist Church, and the senator said it took a few moments for that difference to set in.
After all, as the representative from Blount and Sevier counties, there are a lot of breakfast gatherings on the Senator’s agenda.
This one, however, was in his honor.
Sen. Overbey said he was honored when he got the phone call last month telling him he had been chosen as the 2011 recipient of the Community Leadership Award from Leadership Blount. But the reality didn’t hit until he walked into the breakfast Friday morning, April 8.
“It has really been an overwhelming morning,” Sen. Overbey said. “It started when I walked through the door and saw everybody here. That generated a lot of emotion to see people here you respect and admire,” he said.
The senator said he was reminded of the Bible verse in Matthew where Jesus talks of “the least of these, my brethren,” and that was how he felt his position was in the presence of the community leaders and VIPs gathered for the Leadership Blount breakfast.
Katherine Best Caputo, executive director of Leadership Blount, praised Overbey for his service to the community and his willingness to help others. “Doug exemplifies what the Community Leadership Award is all about. Not only is he a leader in his profession, but he’s a public servant, and he’s a role model,” she said.
Caputo said society doesn’t give enough recognition to those who do good in society. “This is an opportunity to celebrate those who, day-in and day-out, make sacrifices and do the right thing for others,” she said.
Adriel McCord, chair of the board of directors for Leadership Blount, said Overbey has had longevity in the community, serving not only as a state senator and state representative, but also as a county commissioner. “In addition to his community service, he is a successful attorney and has done a lot of work with the Boys Scouts and with the high schools,” McCord said.
Friends from throughout the community turned out for the breakfast. Attorney Will Carver said there are many leaders in Blount County, but Overbey stands out. “I look up to Doug, not for what he has done but how he goes about doing the things he does,” Carver said. “He truly has a servant’s spirit.”
Sharon Hannum, chair of the Chamber Foundation, praised Overbey for being a statesman. “He cares not only about this county, but about the entire state of Tennessee,” she said.
Teri Brahms, executive director of Business and Community Services with Pellissippi State Community College, thanked Overbey for how he has served where they both attend services at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. “He has served as an usher, served on the vestry or wherever he’s needed as his schedule allows he will serve,” she said.
District 8 State Rep. Bob Ramsey and Rep. Art Swann presented Overbey with a proclamation honoring his work. Ramsey said Overbey’s commitment to the community is an inspiration to everyone. “It is such a pleasure to work with Doug. He’s such a humble person. Until I saw the proclamation we were drafting for him, I had no idea the extent of his volunteer work and service to non-profit organizations and agencies,” he said.
Edward Harper, senior services coordinator with Blount Memorial Hospital and lead singer with the band Pistol Creek Catch of the Day, said Overbey is a leader with energy. “Everywhere I go, he’s there before I get there, and he always has the welfare of the community at heart,” Harper said.
Bob Hirche, owner of ICMAS, an international contract firm based in Maryville, said, “Doug is and continues to be a positive influence in Blount and Sevier counties because of his deep personal commitment and involvement in the community.”
Brenda Sellers, president with Chroma Graphics, Inc., in Maryville, said Overbey was in the Leadership Blount Class of 2004 with her. “On behalf of the ‘Say No More’ Class of 2004, we’re proud of our graduate,” she said.
David Rader said he met Overbey when he was running for state representative, and they got to be good friends. “He’s the hardest working legislator I’ve ever known, and he’s a great friend,” Rader said.
One of the speakers at the breakfast was Shannon McCloud, executive director of Secret Safeplace for Newborns of Tennessee. Secret Safeplace is a non-profit organization that educates people about newborn surrender laws in Tennessee, and McCloud said Overbey was instrumental in getting that law passed in Tennessee. She praised his dedication to the community, then said that she has also gotten to know the “prankster” side of Overbey.
“I sometimes get phone calls from a guy who would like to surrender an adult child…a stray animal…a wife,” she said. “Doug doesn’t disguise his voice very well, but I always play along,” she said.
Rick Shepard, the 2010 Community Leadership Award recipient, drew laughter when he presented Overbey, a golfing buddy, with a homemade “Shepard Golf Outing Risk Kit” that consisted of a helmet with a flag on so that Shepard can see Overbey when he is ahead of him on a golf course, a flashing light, a weather radio, gripper wax, two golf balls with other people’s names on them in case he hits the ball through someone’s window and a Doug Overbey magnet campaign decal.
Shepard thanked Overbey for his work in the community. “Doug, this is a better place because of you. We’re glad you chose Blount County to raise your family and share your life with us,” he said. “I’m blessed to call you a friend and, unbeknownst to you, you are a lifelong mentor.”
Originally published:
http://www.blounttoday.com/news/2011/apr/11/honoring-overbey/
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March 4th, 2011
Republican State Sen. Doug Overbey showed a great deal of political courage Tuesday when he joined three Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee in voting against a bill to change the state constitution to require the Tennessee attorney general to be elected instead of appointed by the state supreme court.
Opposing a bill to have a top government official elected instead of appointed seems to run counter to what democracy and self-rule are all about, but Overbey and, apparently, Gov. Bill Haslam realize that while our system of choosing an AG isn’t perfect, it is better than the alternative.
The Tennessee attorney general is appointed to an eight-year term by the Tennessee Supreme Court. Removing politics completely from this process is impossible. Supreme Court members are appointed by the governor after being among the finalists selected by a citizens commission.
Appellate court members stand for a yes-no vote when their terms expire. The AG does not.
Having an attorney general who is unencumbered by political persuasion and a need to solicit money to run statewide offers distinct advantages. It means that he or she can go after the bad guys without regard to whether it is good politics or helps in an re-election bid.
Overbey, who represents Sevier and Blount counties, agrees. How easy it would have been for him to side with fellow Republicans and vote for the measure, knowing it would help his party standing and maybe even please the folks back home. Instead, we found out we have a senator who votes his conscience.
Despite the committee vote, the bill has a long way to go. It would have to pass both chambers of the General Assembly in this two-year session and by a two-thirds majority in the next before it go before the voters in the next gubernatorial election in 2014.
In committee the bill, sponsored by Senate Judiciary Chairwoman Mae Beavers, R-Mt. Juliet, was approved on a 5-4 vote. It was opposed by all three Democrats and by Overbey.
“I think historically the system has worked pretty well,” Haslam told The Associated Press after a speech in Nashville. “In this legislative session, it’s not something you’re going to be seeing us pushing on a whole lot, one way or another.”
Beavers said electing the attorney general is needed for more accountability. Accountability to who? The party under which he runs for office? The PACs and individuals who contribute to the campaign? Electing an attorney general means we have the chief law enforcement officer in all of Tennessee at risk of being beholden to the special interests that backed his run for office.
Overbey, a lawyer, understands that and voted the right way. Not the most popular way, but the right way.
Originally Posted : EDITORIAL The right vote: Overbey commended for voting against bill to elect AG – Feb 25, 2011
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March 4th, 2011
There is little we do as legislators that is more important than defending and protecting the Tennessee Constitution.
In the oath we take as members of the General Assembly, we promise to support the state’s constitution and care for its people. And when we consider amending that constitution, we are bound to follow a time-tested, well-worn path of public notice.
This year, the Tennessee General Assembly is considering a resolution to amend the constitution to prohibit a state income tax. I support that resolution and will vote for it, as I have in the past. I believe in it, trust that it will pass, and appreciate the efforts of the sponsor of the resolution in bringing it this far.
A proposed change in our constitution, when ready for a vote of the people, must be ironclad and bulletproof against attacks by its opponents. Why? Because if it is not, we are sure to face a wave of legal challenges that could go on for years. And win or lose, we stand to waste dollars, effort and energy on a procedural issue that could and should be avoided.
The state constitution requires public notice when there is an effort to amend it. There is some question as to what satisfies that requirement, but we know that requirement is unquestionably satisfied by publication of the notice in newspapers across the state. That publication costs a modest amount, about $17,700.
Fend off legal challenges
No one hates spending the people’s money needlessly more than I, but I’d rather spend a little now to get this right than spend more later to fix the problem. Committing less than one penny per resident of this great state to make sure our citizens are informed of the effort is our best bet to get this right.
In this case, the sponsor proposes to notify Tennesseans of his proposed constitutional amendment on a state website that is rarely accessed by Tennesseans. Some would call that being penny-wise and pound-foolish. I would call it risky — too risky, when dealing with such an important issue.
If the issue is important enough to ask the voters of this state to go to the polls and vote for it, it’s important enough to publicize in the right manner. It’s important to protect and ensure the voters’ confidence that their votes will count.
The facts are simple: If we publicize the fact that this constitutional amendment is on the 2014 statewide ballot in the same way that we have since 1870, and it passes, this issue goes away forever. We will never have to worry about a state income tax again.
But if we experiment with a constitutionally suspect way of informing the citizens — one that we already know cannot reach 1 in 4 Tennesseans — we’ve gained nothing. The vote will be challenged, we’ll probably lose, and we start over and try again for 2018 or 2022. Why in the world would we do that?
This past week, I proposed that we remove the Web-only notice provision from my colleague’s resolution. Thankfully, a majority of my fellow members of the Senate Judiciary Committee agreed with me. I believe that 6 million Tennesseans will agree with me.
State Sen. Doug Overbey is a Republican from Maryville.
Originally posted : Let’s follow law, get amendment passed – Feb. 19, 2011
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January 7th, 2011
“I am delighted that Governor-elect Haslam has reappointed Susan Whitaker as Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. She has done an excellent job and is most deserving of the opportunity to remain in this position of importance. Tourism is a critical component of our state’s economy with a payroll generated by direct travel spending now reaching more than $5.3 billion. It is especially important to Sevier and Blount Counties in our 8th Senatorial District which heavily rely on tourism as an integral part of our economy. I congratulate Governor-elect Haslam for an excellent choice and look forward to continuing to work with Commissioner Whitaker to enhance tourism in our state during the upcoming legislative session.”
Release reference: Haslam Retains Susan Whitaker As Tourist Development Commissioner
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