Proposed Legislation to Save $50 Million for Tennessee Taxpayers

Floor Speech

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, today I will introduce my first piece of legislation since taking office, and I am proud that it saves the taxpayers of my home State of Tennessee an estimated $50 million.

The unfunded mandate put in place by the new standards of the Federal Highway Administration is an undue burden on States when they can least afford it. That is why I am joining Congressman DesJarlais and Senators Alexander and Corker to allow local governments to meet these new standards at the end of a road sign's natural lifecycle, and not on the accelerated timetable put forth by the Federal Highway Administration.

While this administration and their departments might have the mindset of tax, borrow, and spend, local governments cannot do the same. At a time when we are working to be fiscally responsible and balance our budgets, the Federal Government is telling them to spend money they don't have.

Washington politicians should take a clue from their local and State officials and get to work on balancing the budget instead of telling States how to spend their money.

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