The 103rd General Assembly has begun its work. I have been sworn as your representative and appointed to three committees. Please accept my thanks. Thanks for the vote you cast for me. Thanks for trusting me to work hard and to do my best for you. I'll try to deserve that trust.

You can help me. If you have issues to discuss or I can help you, please let me know. Call me in Nashville toll free at 1-800-449-8366, extension 17847, at my Dresden office at 731-364-2685 or at home at 731-364-3404. You can write me at rep.mark.maddox@legislature.state.tn.us or at 17 Legislative Plaza; Nashville, TN 37243. Government works best when its citizens are involved.

Let me thank the editor of this paper for helping to keep you informed on our work. Once again, I will be writing this column. Several of you have told me it is helpful. Also, I intend to hold "Meetings with Mark" across this district about every two weeks during session. The times and places for this weekend are published in this paper.

Speaker Jimmy Naifeh appointed me to three committees for this General Assembly: Finance, Ways and Means, Education, and Children and Family Affairs. The Finance Committee deals with all financial and budget matters. The Education Committee deals with issues related to the state's schools and colleges. The Children and Family Affairs Committee deals with divorce, child custody and support, foster care, and juvenile justice issues. Our children are the future. I am fortunate to serve on these key committees.

Three of the top issues in this session will be the implementing Tennessee's lottery, facing exploding health care costs especially as they relate to TennCare, and responding to the teacher pay equity lawsuit. I am interested to hear your thoughts.

The expansion of the Municipal Court in Martin to General Sessions powers is the first controversial issue on the calendar. The Martin City Council has voted to expand the court.

The Weakley County Commission has voted a moratorium on the creation of any courts in Tennessee until a study can be completed that is now underway by the Tennessee Supreme Court. Recently, several of these courts have been created by cities trying to expand their revenue base, cut costs associated with officers attending court, and provide convenience to their citizens. The last one was created in Gallatin. The Tennessee Supreme Court will have a recommendation soon. Martin's court is caught in a tug of war between counties and cities. What do you think should be done?