Senator Kurita keeps Education focus on Students
Senate Bill 0863 is a consumer protection bill requiring any postsecondary institution to advise potential students about its status of authorization with the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, the transferability of credits and job placement success rates. It also regulates the usage of the terms "university" and college." We will have a comprehensive study of "proprietary" postsecondary schools that operate in Tennessee. We've come a long way in our approaches to educating people of all ages and backgrounds. In that spirit, I sponsored Senate Bill 0118 which requires the department of education to develop reasonable alternative methods for adult high school students to earn credit for a course. Many traditional students earn credit through correspondence, independent study or through cooperative learning programs. Adult high school students should have access to these avenues of leaning as well. I want to remove any unnecessary obstacles that would make it difficult for someone to successfully complete adult high school.

During the 2007 session, I worked hard on several initiatives focused on using our natural resources and ingenuity to make the state more energy efficient, less dependent on foreign oil, and better stewards of the earth while ultimately saving the taxpayers money.

Senate Bill 2306 will potentially diminish the risk of fires posed by unattended cigarettes. This bill will mandate the use of fire-safe cigarettes which are wrapped with two or three thin bands of less-porous paper. The bands act as "speed bumps" to slow the burning of cigarettes causing an unattended cigarette to self-extinguish. Upon enactment, cigarettes will be tested and must meet the "Standard Test Method for Measuring the Ignition Strength of Cigarettes" as set forth by the American Society of Testing and Materials.

Senate Bill 1209 protects all healthcare recipients by better regulating the practice of office-based surgery. The legislation makes the Board of Medical Examiners responsible for uniform regulations and publicizing the necessary rules and regulations to promote patient health and safety in such practices.

Senate Bill 0028 has passed through several committees, and would rewrite the qualifying provisions so that any veteran who has "service-connected" permanent and total disability would qualify for property tax relief. Prior to this legislation, the veteran needed to have been disabled through combat. The bill is currently behind the budget, but I'm going to fight to get the funding.

Creating an Informed Citizenry
With privileges come responsibilities. We are privileged to live in this country. I believe that understanding the responsibilities and privileges of democracy are essential to preserving our freedoms. Senate Bill 1333 will revitalize civics education in grades six through eight. Due to the magnitude of this issue, we created The Commission on Civic Education. This commission will review current policies and practices, and will search for ways to add and improve civics education that our children receive in public school. In a March 26, 2007 Associated Press article by Lucas L. Johnson II, he wrote that "Tennessee and most other states don't require civics to be taught separately."

I proudly co-sponsored several bills to promote safer communities. Senate Bill 1196, "The Johnia Berry Act of 2007," mandates a DNA sample taken and sent to TBI for inclusion in a DNA database for persons arrested for a violent felony on or after January 1, 2008.

Did you know that Tennessee is one of only four states in the entire country that does not allow the public to vote on the offices of Attorney General, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer and Comptroller? The people should have a direct voice in who runs our government. Senate Joint Resolution 0139 proposes statewide election of these offices. We accomplished the first step when the Senate passed the measure on Monday, May 21.

Senate Bill 0005 emphasizes the Legislature's intent that all county seats be connected by four-lane highways to the nearest interstate by best route available instead of the shortest route. We need to be sure the Legislature allows for a common sense approach.