Sen. Roy Herron tackles major political issues

State Sen. Roy Herron of Dresden spoke to delegates Monday morning. Herron has chaired the Senate Democratic Caucus and committees dealing with health issues as well as children and youth. He has authored dozens of laws ranging from the Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights to the Student Religious Liberty Act. A University of Tennessee at Martin alumnus, Herron studied New Testament and ethics in Scotland at St. Andrews and became one of Vanderbilt University’s first two joint divinity and law graduates.
Herron made passionate statements about two primary topics: jobs and education. He followed those remarks by taking questions from delegates.
“The most important issue in Tennessee is jobs. A whole lot of folks are desperate for work and we have a responsibility. We need to make sure those who want to work can. I think the unemployment bill we just passed was the right thing to do: to extend unemployment benefits. But the system we have—just to draw a check—is antiquated and overdue for change. The system ought to require recipients to make progress with community service or education.
“We need you now more than ever. But in higher education, we have doubled your tuition in real dollars in last 10 years while we have flatlined our support. In a time in which we need more from you, we are making it more expensive.”