Classrooms and Runways with State Rep. Mike Sparks on New Initiatives in the State that Impact Rutherford County

RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN - In today’s episode of The WGNS Action Line, host Scott Walker is joined by State Representative Mike Sparks of Smyrna, Tennessee for a conversation on issues affecting families and communities across the state. The discussion opens with the newly launched Tennessee Education Freedom Scholarship Program, nicknamed by some as the “Opportunity Scholarship” program, a state-funded initiative designed to give parents more flexibility in choosing the best educational path for their children. Rep. Sparks outlines how the first-come, first-serve program works, how funds are distributed directly to private schools, and the impact this could have on school choice in Tennessee.

The conversation also touches on the Tennessee National Guard’s planned relocation of its air base from Nashville International Airport (BNA) to the Smyrna/Rutherford County Airport, which has significant implications for local development and military readiness. Rep. Sparks closes the discussion by addressing the ongoing issue of predatory lending, a practice he says disproportionately affects Tennessee's most vulnerable populations. This episode provides a timely look at both state-level education reform and broader policy concerns through the lens of one of Rutherford County's most active legislative voices.