Topic: Sen. Rosalind Kurita

Kurita announces update on funds for APSU student housing

June 14, 2008 |

Senator Rosalind Kurita (D-Clarksville) announced today that the Tennessee Building Commission has approved the next phase of a $30 million student housing project for Austin Peay State University.

The commission approved the selection of a construction manager/general contractor for the project, a 400-bed housing structure with double occupancy suite-type units.

“I am pleased the building commission is moving forward with this project so we can improve the quality of life for APSU students. Safe and comfortable student housing is crucial to the college experience and this project will allow us to serve our student population in a manner they deserve.” — Sen Rosalind Kurita

Initial funds for the project were approved in December 2007. Each unit will have a double occupancy room, each room will contain an individual bathroom and the two rooms will share a common living room.

Sections: Education, News | No Comments

“It’s Time for Tim!”

By Turner McCullough Jr. | June 9, 2008 |

Attorney Tim Barnes readies his campaign for Senate District 22 Seat.

“I think loyalty, honesty and integrity are still important in politics today.”

– Attorney Tim Barnes

With those words, Clarksville attorney Tim Barnes is gearing up for a run for Senator Rosalind Kurita’s District 22 seat. The August primary will likely see a lively campaign season. District 22 includes Montgomery, Houston and Cheatham counties. This covers Clarksville, Erin and Ashland City. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: News, Politics | 1 Comment »

License plates to honor 101st Airborne

April 23, 2008 |

Following approval by the State of Tennessee last summer and special action by the Association Board of Governors in November, vehicle owners/lessees in the Volunteer state may soon have the opportunity to acquire a specialty license plate honoring the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).

Before Tennessee begins production of the plates, the 101st Airborne Division Association, with its headquarters located on the Tennessee side of Fort Campbell, must pre-sell 1,000 of them at $35 each (additional registration fees apply). If the Association fails to reach the 1,000 pre-sale minimum requirement, all purchase amounts will be returned.

L-R Representative Curtis Johnson, 101^st Airborne Division Association Secretary/Treasurer Sam Bass and Representative Rosalind Kurita stand outside the Clarksville, TN Courthouse with the newly designed 101^st license plate. Photo by 101^st Association Graphic Designer, Catie Rodriquez

Net proceeds from the sale of the plates will be allocated 50% to the 101st Airborne Association; 40% to the Tennessee Arts Commission; and 10% to the State Highway Fund. Sales are restricted by the legislation to registered vehicle owners of Tennessee. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: News | No Comments

Sen. Kurita, Legislators to vote on surface coal mining, environmental bill

By Beverly Fisher | March 31, 2008 |

State Senator Rosalind Kurita, State Senator Doug Jackson, five other senators and four representatives have introduced legislation to protect land and waterways from the damage caused by surface coal mining. This environmental bill will be coming up for a vote On April 2.

HB 3348/SB 3822 would prohibit the Commissioner of the Department of Environment and Conservation from issuing or renewing a permit, certification or variance for:

• Surface coal operations, or resulting waste, fill or in stream treatment within 100 feet of any water of the state. However, the commissioner could issue or renew a permit, certification, or variance for operations to improve the quality of streams previously disturbed by mining
• Surface coal mining operations to alter or disturb any ridge line above 2,000 feet elevation above sea level. Joe Schiller, Associate Professor of Biology at Austin Peay State University, has reviewed the bill and states, “This bill certainly deserves strong support and I intend to contact Senator Kurita immediately to thank her for co-sponsoring it and encourage her to try to get it passed.”

During a contentious hearing before the Senate Environment, Conservation and Tourism committee on March 26, a National Coal Corporation executive and environmentalists clashed over the bill. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Issues, News | 3 Comments

Kurita: Let voters choose Lt. Governor, Secretary of State

By Christine Anne Piesyk | January 14, 2008 |

State Senator Rosalind Kurita, Speaker Pro Tempore of the Tennessee Senate, is looking for change in how Tennessee finds its Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State.

“It is time to change history and open up statewide elected positions in Tennessee — as in almost every other state in these United States of America. As we begin 2008, we need to create a position for a popularly elected Lieutenant Governor in Tennessee. We also need to popularly elect the Secretary of State.”

Kurita, in making this bid for new elected positions rather than the tradition of appointees to those key posts, said most Tennesseans “do not even realize that we do not have any voice in the selection of powerful statewide offices.”

“During this past legislative session, I passed the first leg of this complicated process in the Senate. Now we must pass it in the House.”

Kurita is now seeking support for this measure from the public, the voters into whose hands she would place the decisions on these important posts. “Your help is crucial to moving us forward in making “the election” process more open,” Kurita said. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Politics | 1 Comment »