Cooper returns to Senate

State Sen. Jerry Cooper is back in action on Capitol Hill after returning for a Transportation Committee meeting on Wednesday.

?It?s good to get back and get back right in the middle of things,? said Cooper. ?I?m the kind of guy it?s hard for me to sit at home and this is in my blood. My plans are to be back next week.?

Cooper hasn?t participated in any legislative activities since a Feb. 7 interstate crash hospitalized him for several days and inflicted some significant injuries to his left arm, head and neck. Cooper says his strength has returned and a skin graft on his left arm is beginning to heal properly.

?I still have a few aches and pains,? said Cooper. ?In fact I?m seeing a neck specialist at Vanderbilt for some neck pain, but I?ll be all right.?

Of major significance to Warren County residents is a $1 million state budget request by County Executive John Pelham for a project to run water up Harrison Ferry Mountain. Cooper said the request is currently being considered by Gov. Phil Bredesen.

Other issues receiving considerable attention are banning smoking in restaurants, raising the cigarette tax, and changing license regulations for cable TV franchises.

As for a proposal to raise the cigarette tax by 40 cents, Cooper said if the measure passes it would mean about $200,000 in revenue for Warren County once the money is dispersed.

?It would be about a 5-cent savings on the property tax,? said Cooper. ?Of course tobacco smoking is decreasing so that would be a declining income.?

All in all, Cooper said he?s glad to be back so he can represent the interests of Warren County residents and his other constituents.

?Right now we?re starting to get to the meat of the session,? said Cooper. ?Really not a whole lot of bills have passed and they haven?t taken up the budget yet so there?s a lot to be done.?