E-Newsletter - Fighting Drug Trafficking in Memphis

Statement

This week Shelby County received a federal designation that would enable federal, state and local government to work together to better fight drug trafficking.

Fighting Drug Trafficking
Energy Efficient Rebates
Economic Recovery Act
The Arts
Automotive Industry
Women's Equality Day

Fighting Drug Trafficking
On Monday Shelby County received designation as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). This Federal designation will further the development of joint drug control efforts by federal, state and local law enforcement officers in the region and allow them to benefit from ongoing HIDTA initiatives. I issued a letter requesting the designation in April.

It is vital that federal, state and local government work together to combat drug trafficking in Shelby County. This designation will give us the interagency help we need to better fight crime and protect our neighborhoods from the perils of drugs. I am pleased to have worked with Acting U.S. Attorney Larry Laurenzi on this effort and am pleased U.S. Attorney Ed Stanton will have this weapon in his arsenal.

Energy Efficient Rebates
As of this past Tuesday, Tennesseans can apply for rebates for energy-efficient heating and cooling systems from the Department of Economic and Community Development. The rebate program is a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act approved by Congress last year, for which I voted.

Under the Tennessee Energy Efficiency Appliance Rebate Program, anyone who buys an air conditioner, gas furnace or air source heat pump with an "Energy Star" designation is eligible for rebates from $40 to $250. For more information on the energy rebate program, please call 877.741.4304 or visit www.e-rebates.org/teearp

Economic Recovery Act
According to a new report released this week by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) boosted the country's real GDP by up to 4.5 percent in the second quarter of 2010, and increased the number of American jobs by as much as 3.3 million. Contrary to some political beliefs, the nonpartisan CBO report is proof positive ARRA created jobs and helped spur economic growth.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer was in Memphis this week. We discussed a meeting we had in 2008 with President George W. Bush, U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on the economic crisis. At the time, Chairman Bernanke said the future of the American economy was in distress. The ARRA, which I supported, helped stem that crisis.

The Arts
This week I also spoke at Tennesseans for the Arts at Playhouse at the Square to celebrate the importance of the arts in Memphis. More than 400 artists, staffers and supporters came together to celebrate the occasion. As a State Senator in the 1980s I authored legislation to enable people to help support the arts throughout Tennessee by establishing a personalized license plate program that generates nearly $5 million annually. I also helped establish a reserve fund for the arts and was recognized at the event for my support and work on behalf of the arts over the years and encouraged everyone to buy license plates to support the arts.

Automotive Industry
The automotive industry has long served as the center of the American industrial economy. When Congress approved legislation to help troubled automotive companies we helped save jobs for countless Americans across the country -- even a dealership in Shelby County.

Women's Equality Day
Yesterday we marked Women's Equality Day -- the day women were given the right to vote. On August 26, 1920, the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution was certified, ending years of discrimination by giving women the same rights and privileges as men in terms of voting. In 1994 -- as a Tennessee State Senator -- I authored legislation that created the Tennessee Commemorative Woman's Suffrage Commission. The Commission was charged with honoring the 75th anniversary of Tennessee becoming the 36th state and deciding vote to ratify the amendment.

I spoke at City Hall in Memphis to commemorate the anniversary and reflected on the essential role Paula Casey played in proposing the law. In the Tennessee State Legislature I worked to have a plaque placed in the State Capitol between the House and Senate Chambers recognizing the leaders in the struggle for women's suffrage. Please join me in commemorating the brave women who fought to alter the course of history so women could voice their opinions at the polls.

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