The 2008 survey results have been tabulated and the results are given below. Next year's survey should be available for completion on line at this location in February/March 2009
As you know, the 105th Session of the Tennessee General Assembly has ended. We ran over 4000 bills this session and kept a hectic pace at the end.
I am once again happy to give you the results of my annual questionnaire for the 50th House District. One thousand, four hundred and five of you responded. I thank you so much for your participation and input.
I have listed both actual response numbers and rounded percentages on the totals. I hope you enjoy seeing how the District responds as much as I do.
If you have an issue that you would like to see in next year’s questionnaire, please feel free to call or e-mail the office and I will certainly consider any idea submitted. However, please know that space is limited so I may not be able to use every suggestion.
Serving you is always a pleasure and I thank you so much for the opportunity.
Questionnaire Results
1. There is currently more than $300 million in excess lottery funds. There has been a lot of debate on what would be the best way to spend those funds. Some argue the funds should be spent on renovating and/or building new school buildings. Others argue the funds should be spent to provide opportunities for more students to retain scholarships by lowering the grade point average (GPA) for retention from 3.0 so more students could remain in college.
How do you think the excess lottery monies should be spent?
A= The monies should be spent on renovating and/or building new schools.
637 (45%)
B= The monies should be spent for more scholarships by lowering GPA for retention.
415 (30%)
C= Other
276 (20%)
No Answer 77 (05%)
2. Although a question regarding seatbelts has been asked before, it has not been asked in this manner. I am asking the following question at the request of a constituent.
If a person is involved in an accident and is not wearing a seatbelt, should law enforcement officers making the report be required to indicate non-compliance of the seatbelt law on the accident report?
YES: 1067 (76%)
NO: 276 (20%)
UNDECIDED: 40 (03%)
NO ANSWER: 22 (01%)
3. The House passed sweeping legislation last year regarding illegal immigrants including fining businesses that “knowingly” hire illegal immigrants. The Senate has yet to take action on this issue. Although the question on illegal immigrants has been asked before, once again I am asking this question at the request of a constituent.
Although immigration enforcement is a Federal issue, should the Tennessee General Assembly pass legislation to curtail the number of illegal immigrants in Tennessee?
YES: 1146 (82%)
NO: 184 (13%)
UNDECIDED: 42 (03%)
NO ANSWER: 33 (02%)
4. The following question is also being asked at the request of a constituent.
Should the General Assembly give tax breaks to businesses for expansion and/or to move to Tennessee to create more jobs?
YES: 856 (61%)
NO: 421 (30%)
UNDECIDED: 87 (06%)
NO ANSWER: 41 (03%)
5. Again at the request of a constituent, I am asking a previously asked question. Tennessee law currently requires passengers in all vehicles except school buses and other buses to use seatbelts.
Should legislators pass a law that requires passengers in all vehicles including school buses to wear seatbelts?
YES: 851 (61%)
NO: 440 (32%)
UNDECIDED: 89 (06%)
NO ANSWER: 25 (01%)
6. Other states have passed legislation permitting the importation of prescription drugs from Canada. The federal government is threatening to sue those states.
Should the legislature pass a law permitting lower cost Canadian drugs to be imported to Tennessee even with the pending threat of a law suit by the federal government?
YES: 845 (60%)
NO: 431 (31%)
UNDECIDED: 94 (07%)
NO ANSWER: 35 (02%)
7. Another question from a constituent deals with the debate, both pro and con, about the use of medical marijuana.
Should the general assembly pass legislation permitting the use of medical marijuana with strict government oversight?
YES: 762 (54%)
NO: 520 (37%)
UNDECIDED: 92 (07%)
NO ANSWER: 31 (02%)
8. There continues to be a rising cost of providing long-term health care for seniors.
Should state funds be used to help provide assistance for citizens of Tennessee with long-term care needs when federal dollars are not available or not enough?
YES: 1040 (74%)
NO: 224 (16%)
UNDECIDED: 103 (07%)
NO ANSWER: 38 (03%)
9. Do you believe assisted-living facilities in Tennessee are adequately providing for the needs of our senior citizens?
YES: 257 (18%)
NO: 768 (55%)
UNDECIDED: 301 (21%)
NO ANSWER: 79 (06%)
10. The General Assembly recently passed a law requiring “universal carding” (requiring ID for anyone to purchase liquor regardless of age).
Do you believe the new ID requirement for purchasing liquor has produced positive results?
YES: 576 (41%)
NO: 406 (29%)
UNDECIDED: 337 (24%)
NO ANSWER: 86 (06%)
11. There has been a lot of debate about permitting individuals who have a certified handgun permit to be allowed to carry their guns in establishments that serve alcohol so long as they are not consuming alcohol.
Do you believe citizens with gun permits should be allowed to carry their guns into establishments that serve alcohol as long as they are not consuming alcohol?
YES: 399 (29%)
NO: 944 (67%)
UNDECIDED: 42 (03%)
NO ANSWER: 20 (01%)
12. Last but certainly not least is my favorite, the open-ended question.
What are the three most important issues you feel need to be addressed by the Tennessee General Assembly?
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION: 479 (34%)
EDUCATION: 399 (28%)
HEALTH CARE: 366 (26%)
OTHER: 161 (12%)
Thank you again for the insightful response to this questionnaire. It is my honor to serve you in the Tennessee House of Representatives. Always know that my door is open and that I welcome your phone calls, visits and suggestions. I hope you will not hesitate to contact me if I may assist you in any way.
Some of you may not be aware that I send out a weekly e-mail during session and a monthly e-mail when out of session. If you are not already on my e-mail list and would like to be added, please click the link below:
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