August 4th, 2009
Contact: Darlene Schlicher (615) 741-6336 or email: darlene.schlicher@legislature.state.tn.us
(NASHVILLE, TN), August 4, 2009 – Governor Phil Bredesen today signed innovative legislation sponsored by Senators Doug Overbey (R-Maryville) designed to grow jobs through a program that would provide capital to small businesses. The bill creates the TNINVESTCO Program to provide benefits to small, medium-sized, and start-up businesses that do not enjoy the same economic development incentives that have been provided to the larger companies that invest capital in Tennessee.
“The overwhelming majority of jobs in this state are created by small businesses,” said Senator Doug Overbey (R-Maryville), who sponsored the bill. “We are a state of entrepreneurs, but there is a lack of adequate capital to take those ideas and grow a business. This bill will give them that opportunity.”
The bill, SB 1203, authorizes tax incentives for private investors to create a pool of capital totaling $120 million. That money will be divided among professional investment firms. These Tennessee-based firms will then invest the money in small businesses located and headquartered in Tennessee. The money must remain invested in Tennessee for ten years.
Under the plan, investors receive a tax credit against insurance premiums taxes that spread over years three through ten of the program. Even though the capital will be available for small businesses immediately, there are no tax credits for investors until 2012. Capital returned to the state must first go to the General Fund. Once enough money has been repaid, the remaining funds will be deposited in the Rural Opportunity Fund.
“Throughout the ten years the money is invested and even beyond, the state will reap the benefits of job growth from these small businesses,” added Overbey. “This is a great opportunity for economic development in our state.”
“Additionally, experts in this field have told us that this legislation will be a model for other states. It’s great for Tennessee to be a leader in looking after and assisting small and start-up businesses. I am pleased this bill has been signed into law,” Overbey concluded.
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July 2nd, 2009
Tennesseans on this Independence Day are just as much in the forefront of the struggle for freedom as their Revolutionary War ancestors
As families across the state gather on this Independence Day to observe the founding of our nation’s freedom with picnics, fireworks, parades and other special events, may we all remember those who have fought and are still fighting for the cause of freedom. We have much to be proud of in Tennessee regarding our state’s rich heritage in protecting and defending the precious rights we enjoy as Americans.
As we look back on our nation’s struggles in the American Revolution, even before Tennessee became a state, our ancestors had already begun bravely to answer the call of freedom. It started at Kings Mountain, which was one of the most decisive Patriot victories of the Revolutionary War. Tennessee rebels left their homes, marched hundreds of miles over mountainous terrain and were victorious over British troops, forcing them into a series of maneuvers that eventually led to the surrender at Yorktown.
This early example of heroics set the path for Tennesseans, whom time and time again would show that, when our homes and our liberties are threatened, our volunteers will go forth to meet the threat head-on. For that reason, Tennesseans went to war again, marching off to New Orleans in 1812 to crush another British threat to the South and making a Tennessee General, Andrew Jackson, the only national hero to emerge from that war.
When Tennessee was called upon for 2,800 soldiers in the next major U.S. confrontation with Mexico in 1848, an overwhelming 30,000 came forward, and hence forth, Tennessee has been known as the Volunteer State.
In 1861 Union was torn with the War Between the States. Tennesseans became leaders for both sides of the struggle. Our state became a major battle ground of the war that followed, and not one of Tennessee’s citizens was left untouched.
When a united America once again called upon Tennessee during the war with Spain in the late 1800’s, the the Volunteer state rose to the occasion, filling the ranks of service from Cuba to the Philippines.
As the 20th century dawned, Tennesseans responded to freedom’s call in the first and second World Wars. Likewise, many young Tennesseans fought bravely in the jungles of Vietnam. The men and women who fought in these wars, like those stationed overseas today, are not just American heroes, but heroes to many nations.
In fact, it was a Tennessee artillery battalion that was among the first to reach the Euphrates River in Iraq during the Gulf War and the first flag to be raised over liberated Kuwait City was the flag of Tennessee.
In the current conflict in Iraq, more than 12,000 brave citizen soldiers and airmen from the Volunteer State have answered the call to active duty. Tennessee is the model state in the nation for the number of citizen soldiers, truly living up to our “Volunteer” name.
I’m proud of our service men and women. They are persons of character and conviction, and they are literally changing our world. Our prayers continue to go out to them for their safe return.
Tennesseans serving in Afghanistan and Iraq today are just as much in the forefront of the struggle for freedom as their ancestors were at Kings Mountain, whose victory we celebrate on this Independence Day. As long as America is blessed with such heroes, the efforts of the Founding Fathers will not have been in vain, and the fruits of their labors will be preserved for future generations.
Best regards,
Doug Overbey
State Senator
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June 18th, 2009
Contact: Darlene Schlicher (615) 741-6336 or email: darlene.schlicher@capitol.tn.gov
(NASHVILLE, TN), June 18, 2009 – The General Assembly has approved legislation cracking down on violent crime in Tennessee that builds on the “Crooks with Guns Law” passed by the legislature last year. The bill, sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville) and Senator Doug Overbey (R-Maryville), adds attempted first degree murder to the Crooks with Guns Law.
“Tennessee ranks second in the nation in the number of violent crimes,” said Senator Norris, who sponsored the original Crooks with Guns Law. “This legislation would work to keep those offenders off the street where they are no longer a danger to the public.”
Sixty-seven percent of those convicted of violent crimes are re-arrested within three years of being released from prison. The recidivism rate increases to 80 percent when you move past that three-year marker. Read the rest of this entry »
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June 11th, 2009
(NASHVILLE, TN), June 10, 2009 — Legislation sponsored by State Senator Doug Overbey (R-Maryville) was approved today in the State Senate urging the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Board of Directors to enter into a long-term contract with Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa). The resolution, SJR 622, was approved unanimously after all members of the State Senate signed on to co-sponsor the measure.
“I was very pleased at the overwhelming bi-partisan support of our State Senate on this Resolution,” said Senator Overbey. “Approximately 500 jobs are dependent on restarting the smelter which, in turn, is dependent upon completing this contract. This Resolution sends a message to Congress and the TVA that Tennessee believes it is critical to finalize this contract.”
Alcoa has been in operation in Blount County since 1913, nearly three decades before the TVA was established. Currently its Tennessee Operations, which involve the manufacture of primary aluminum and aluminum can sheet, employs approximately 1,600 persons. The company has an economic impact of more than $3 billion dollars annually in Blount County and East Tennessee.
In March, Alcoa announced a temporary curtailment of its Primary Metals facility and employee layoffs due to economic condition. According to Alcoa officials, a key driver in their ability to restart the plant is whether or not they have a competitive long-term power contract with the Tennessee Valley Authority. Alcoa and the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority are currently in good faith negotiations regarding the contract.
“The smelter’s power cost is in the top 15 percent of all smelters in North America,” added Overbey. “It is vital that TVA realize the economic impact Alcoa has on Blount County and all East Tennessee.”
The bill calls for the resolution to be delivered to TVA’s Board of Directors and each member of the Tennessee Congressional delegation.
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May 6th, 2009
(NASHVILLE, TN), May 5, 2009 — The State Senate approved comprehensive legislation sponsored by Senator Doug Overbey (R-Maryville) on Monday that would benefit Tennessee consumers who utilize the services of debt management specialists. The legislation, named the “Uniform Debt Management Services Act,” provides guidance and regulation to the consumer debt management industry while also providing fairer services to debtors.
“As the recession has deepened, we are finding more and more consumers turning to debt management companies, which have tripled in number over the past few years,” said Senator Overbey. “There have been frequent instances or accusations of abuse by consumers who utilize these services. This legislation regulates the industry in uniformity with other states, while protecting consumers.” Read the rest of this entry »
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January 22nd, 2009
Knoxville Focus, January, 2009
State Sen. Tim Burchett, Laura Comas, and State Sen. Doug Overbey with the first plate.
Tennessee honors women veterans with license plate Tennessee becomes one of the first states in the nation to honor women veterans with a license plate according to Laura Comas, a former U. S. Army Sergeant who began working on the effort more than three years ago. Although a number of veteran plates were available at the time, none specifically recognized the contribution of women. After being contacted by Comas, then state Rep. Doug Overbey (R-Maryville) and state Sen. Tim Burchett (R-Knoxville) introduced legislation creating the specialty plate honoring women veterans and the bill was enacted in 2007.
“Women have been serving our country in the military since the Revolutionary War and in every conflict since,” said Comas, herself a Desert Storm veteran. “I am grateful to Sen. Burchett and Overbey for their interest and willingness to see to it that those women who have sacrificed for our state and nation are honored in this way.”
The plate, designed by Tom Walker, a military historian and graphic designer in the Knoxville area, depicts the image of Molly Pitcher, one of the first women acknowledged to have taken up arms in the Revolutionary War. Tennessee was the first state in the country to pass legislation commemorating women veterans with their own distinguishable plate. Kentucky previously allowed their state’s women veterans to purchase a red sticker designation applied over their existing veteran plates. West Virginia has also created a plate honoring women veterans.
The plates are available at each County Clerks Office across the state to any woman veteran with a DD214.
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June 27th, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Adam Jaynes
(865) 850-6516
Directorship Magazine, a national publication targeted to business leaders, named Tennessee the best state in the nation for its litigation climate – due to medical malpractice liability reform legislation sponsored by Rep. Doug Overbey.
“I sponsored the medical malpractice legislation first and foremost to lower healthcare costs for Tennessee families,” said Overbey. “But I am also very proud that, especially in these difficult economic conditions, we could put Tennessee at the top of the list for attracting businesses and jobs to our state.”
Overbey’s legislation will help eliminate frivolous and unsubstantiated malpractice lawsuits early in the legal process, while still allowing legitimate legal actions to protect the patient. Overbey’s bill received strong bipartisan support and was recently signed into law.
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