While the debate continues, action taken by some states against unfunded mandates has already had a profound effect.

Using words like "unfunded mandate" and "big government," school officials say they have had enough of the state's helping hand.

Because of this, the law has been criticized by some as an unfunded mandate.

"Our local school districts have had enough of unfunded mandates."

The agency is no stranger to what some have called "unfunded mandates" from Congress.

"It amounts to an unfunded mandate for us to treat everybody."

He declared that it could be "the mother of all unfunded mandates."

"As it stands right now this is an unfunded mandate," she said.

It's going to end up being an unfunded mandate added to the current budget of some agency.

Q. Isn't there a move to do away with unfunded mandates?