Sen. Roller gets right to work-Spends first week touring district, preparing bills

State Sen. Steve Roller’s first week in office was a whirlwind of activity as the newly appointed lawmaker criss-crossed the seven-county district while also spending time on Capitol Hill as the General Assembly began its 2008 session.

Along with getting his office up and running, Roller has been busy preparing bills to file during the session. His first bill, to be co-sponsored in the House by state Rep. Judd Matheny, will seek to extend lottery scholarships to non-traditional college students. Presently, the scholarships are geared toward students just out of high school, ages 18-22. However, Roller said older students are also in need.

‘Many of these non-traditional students who have families and other economic concerns are trying to better themselves, so they are also in need of the financial help to attend college,’ Roller said. ‘For many of these non-traditional students, it’s hard putting themselves through college.’

Along with providing scholarships for non-traditional students, Roller said he will also sponsor legislation requiring the state to help fund helmets to be placed in law enforcement vehicles which can be worn by officers when they are in pursuits.

‘The Dale Earnhardt tragedy illustrated the need for head protection, not just for race car drivers, but for other drivers such as law enforcement officers who sometimes have to travel at high speeds in emergency situations,’ said Roller.

Roller said he will continue to work on other legislation this week which must be authored before the end of the month. Roller noted he is balancing his law career by working Monday and Friday in McMinnville before heading to Nashville on Monday afternoon for his senatorial duties which run through Thursday.

‘It’s been busy but at the same time I’ve got to say everyone has been so nice and helpful,’ said Roller, noting he has already received his committee assignments. He will serve on the State and Local Government Committee and the Environment and Conservation Committee. ‘The government committee I’m on was briefed this past week on the state’s response to a terrorist attack and the Legislature also attended an ethics seminar.’

Roller, who was voted to the position by the Warren County Commission to fill the unfinished term of Jerry Cooper, will meet with the governor this coming week.

‘I’m going to be accompanied by Jerry Cooper when I meet with Gov. Bredesen and then he (Cooper) will be helping me with the transition of the office,’ said Roller, noting he has already found the district has $51,000 in grant money which was unused and will be divided up among the seven counties in the district.

Roller said the new office for the 14th District Senate Seat is located in Office 3 at Legislative Plaza and may be reached by calling 615-741-6694. His legal assistant, Ginger Johnson, is now serving as his senatorial aid along with Katie Stroud, who is an intern assigned to his office.

‘A lot of what is going on now is gearing up for the legislative session,’ Roller said, noting he has met with many of his fellow lawmakers as well as lobbyists, who are plentiful on Capitol Hill.