What they do in the house.

You can view politicians in many ways to judge them. I'm going to use the old "actions speaks louder than words" to let you get a feel of what our politicians are doing as our representatives.

One of the main actions politicians can perform is to sponsor or co-sponsor bills. In Tennessee they list these for you to view. In the month of March the two representatives Sponsored the following bills.
Mike Sparks

3/6/2012
HB2926 Criminal Offenses - As introduced, creates new grade for offense of theft making theft over $500,000 a Class A felony. Outcome: Taken Off Notice For Cal. in: Judiciary Committee

 3/7/2012
HB3624 Zoning - As introduced, defines agricultural uses to mean any land, machinery, buildings, recreational and educational activities for the commercial production of farm products and nursery stock for purposes of certain zoning provisions. Outcome: Taken Off Notice For Cal. in s/c S&LG Subcommittee of State & Local Government Committee

 3/14/2012
HB2919 Taxes, Ad Valorem - As introduced, requires increases in property tax rates higher than $1.00 per $100 of the assessed value of property by a county or municipality to be approved through a referendum; authorizes the referendum process. Outcome: Failed for Lack of Motion in: S&LG Subcommittee

 HB2920 Taxes, Ad Valorem - As introduced, requires increases in property tax rates higher than 25 percent by a county or municipality to be approved through a referendum; authorizes the referendum process. Outcome: Action Def. in s/c S&LG Subcommittee to summer study

 3/20/2012
HB3320 Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, permits a county or municipal correctional officer to carry a firearm if the officer has completed POST firearms training and is authorized to carry by the sheriff. Outcome: Action Def. in Judiciary Committee to Summer Study

 3/21/2012
HB2921 Local Government, General - As introduced, prohibits impact fees or adequate facilities taxes from being imposed on age-exclusive developments for persons 55 and older if children as permanent residents are also excluded; clarifies present acts imposing impact fees and adequate facilities taxes may be revised to reduce the fee or tax or remove types of property from being subject to such fees or taxes. Outcome: Taken Off Notice For Cal. in s/c S&LG Subcommittee of State & Local Government Committee

 HB2927 Short Term Loans and Lenders - As introduced, limits the ability of a title pledge lender to assess and collect, as reimbursement, a charge for repossession of a vehicle that is the subject of a title pledge agreement. Outcome: Taken Off Notice For Cal. in s/c Commerce Subcommittee of Commerce Committee

 3/27/2012
HB2925 Controlled Substances - As introduced, adds new controlled substances to Schedule I hallucinogenic substances and stimulants and to Schedule II stimulants. Outcome: Taken Off Notice For Cal. in s/c HHR Subcommittee of Health & Human Resources Committee

 HB3625 Hospitals and Health Care Facilities - As introduced, prohibits certain health care facilities from requiring an uninsured or underinsured patient from paying more than 110 percent of the Medicare reimbursement for health care services. Outcome: Taken Off Notice For Cal. in s/c HHR Subcommittee of Health & Human Resources Committee One of the first things

 I noticed was the term "taken off notice" on many of the outcomes. I had to go and find out the definition of this phrase.
 “taken off notice”: This means that the bill will not be scheduled to be heard in the committee unless the sponsor re-calendars it.

Rick Womick sponsored the following

3/7/2012
HB3571 State Government - As introduced, prohibits Tennessee and all political subdivisions from adopting or implementing the United Nations Rio Declaration on Environment and Development and the Statement of principles for Sustainable Development, known as “Agenda 21.” Outcome: Taken Off Notice For Cal. in s/c S&LG Subcommittee of State & Local Government Committee

 HB3573 Eminent Domain - As introduced, restricts counties, municipalities, and other legally recognized forms of government from exercising eminent domain power beyond the jurisdictional boundaries of each entity. Outcome: Taken Off Notice For Cal. in s/c Judiciary Subcommittee of Judiciary Committee

 HB3628 Attorneys at Law - As introduced, requires that an attorney provided to an indigent defendant, other than a public defender or post conviction defender, file a disclosure of financial interests with the ethics commission if the attorney is paid more than $500. Outcome Taken Off Notice For Cal. in s/c Judiciary Subcommittee of Judiciary Committee

 3/9/2012
HB2189 Naming and Designating - As enacted, names Murfreesboro National Guard Armory in honor of the late First Lieutenant William Eric Emmert. Outcome: Comp. became Pub. Ch. 536

 3/21/2012
 HB2835 Newspapers and Publications - As introduced, requires notices of foreclosures, land sales, transactions involving real property and other legal notices required by statute be publicized by publishing notice in certain local newspapers and posting notice on certain web sites. Outcome: Taken Off Notice For Cal. in s/c S&LG Subcommittee of State & Local Government Committee

 HB2963 Tennessee Higher Education Commission - As introduced, requires listing of authorized institutions, which must be posted on the commission's web site, to be updated within 10 business days of a postsecondary institution's acquiring or losing authorization to operate. Outcome: Taken Off Notice For Cal. in s/c Education Subcommittee of Education Committee

 HB3572 Real Property - As introduced, defines "private property rights" to clarify meaning of unwarranted government interference with such rights. Outcome: Taken Off Notice For Cal. in s/c Judiciary Subcommittee of Judiciary Committee

 3/29/2012
 HB3050 Special License Plates - As enacted, authorizes issuance of Almost Home Animal Rescue new specialty earmarked license plates; allocates 50 percent of funds derived from sale thereof to such organization to rescue and relocate animals scheduled for euthanasia. Outcome: Comp. became Pub. Ch. 587

I'll admit surprise on some of Rick Womicks sponsored bills. He has become a vocal opponent to the Agenda 21, yet the two specific bills (HB3572 and HB3571) addressing this issue were both taken 'off notice'. I'm not sure if that implies a lack of support, or the knowledge that neither would pass even with the support they have.

This is how things stand on the bills on the state website. Fun, fun, fun. The Senate will be addressed this coming week for those interested.