The following is a statement from Representative Mike Sparks (R-Smyrna) following the passage of House Joint Resolution 78, which he sponsored. The resolution details opposition to unfunded state mandates in Tennessee:

"I would like to thank all twenty-one Rutherford County Commissioners for their full support of this legislation, as well as Mayor Ernest Burgess, Chairman Trey Gooch, and Vice-Chairman Brad Turner of the Rutherford County Steering Committee. From a new judicial building to keeping up with the growth of school construction in one of the fourth fastest growing counties in the state, our Commissioners are faced with making tough decisions and having to fund those decisions every single day. Many times, state legislators may be unaware of the adverse impact bills we pass have on local governments. As the Vice-Chairman of the Local Government Committee in the Tennessee General Assembly, I would like to continue to remind my colleagues in the legislature to be very cautious of the decisions we make and the laws we pass."

The full text of House Joint Resolution 78 can be found by visiting: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/109/Bill/HJR0078.pdf