NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — A state senator has filed legislation that seeks to restrain federal regulation in Tennessee.
Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris of Collierville discussed the resolution yesterday during a special joint committee meeting on the effect of Environmental Protection Agency regulations on the state.
“I have had the honor of chairing the National Council of State Governments for the last twelve months and have visited more than half the states -- maybe as many as 30 of the states in our nation -- where I see the crippling effects of this, the overreach and over regulation by the federal authorities.”
Some committee members view the proposed EPA regulations in a different light. Memphis Democrat Johnnie Turner spoke up following a presentation on the possible loss of Tennessee coal mining jobs if the stricter regulations go into force.
“That’s a realistic concern, but we also have to be concerned about which is more important, the loss of the jobs or the loss of the planet.”
Senator Norris’ measure urges Congress to propose the "Regulation Freedom Amendment" to the U.S. Constitution.
Under the resolution, whenever one-quarter of the members of the U.S. House or Senate declare their opposition to a proposed federal regulation, a majority in both the House and Senate would have to vote to approve the regulation before it could be adopted.