(NASHVILLE, TN), May 1, 2012 – Senator Kerry Roberts (R-Springfield) today released information he received from the Tennessee Department of Transportation regarding state road projects in Sumner and Robertson Counties which are included in  the proposed comprehensive multimodal program for 2013-15.  The plan includes a Weigh Station for Robertson County to begin in 2014 and preliminary engineering work on 12 miles of road between Exit 96 and Exit 108 on I 65 to begin next year.

“I am very pleased that many road projects have been included in the Department of Transportation’s plans for the next several years,” said Senator Roberts.  “This is important to many citizens in our area due to an increase in traffic.  When completed, these projects should help relieve congestion and make our roads safer.”

The projects include:
State Route 49 in Cheatham-Robertson Counties / Improvements / Right-of-way to begin 9.5 miles in 2015
I-65 in Robertson County / Weigh Station / Construction to begin in 2015
State Route 41 in Sumner and Robertson Counties / US-31 W / South of State Route 109 to the Kentucky state line / Right-of-way to begin on .5 miles in 2013
I-65 in Sumner and Robertson Counties / Preliminary Engineering on 12.0 miles from Exit 96 to Exit 108 to begin in 2013.
1-65 in Robertson and Sumner Counties / Proposed Interchange at 1-65 from existing State Route 109 to I-65 / Construction will begin on .8 miles beginning in 2014
State Route 65 / US 431 / Construction of 2.1 miles from Walling Road to State Route 11 (US-41) in Springfield to begin in 2015.

Good roads are essential to our citizens, both for safety and economic development,” added Roberts.  “I am very pleased that we have been able to secure these projects for future development.”

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(NASHVILLE, TN), December 21, 2011 – Several  key laws sponsored by Senate Judiciary Chairman Mae Beavers (R-Mt. Juliet) and Senator Kerry Roberts (R-Springfield) will take effect on January 1 as the new year begins.   This includes major legislation implementing a statewide electronic tracking system to curb meth production in the state.  The system, called NPLEx (National Precursor Log Exchange), will monitor and block illegal purchases of over-the-counter cold and allergy medicines containing pseudoephedrine (PSE), a key ingredient in methamphetamine production.

“Meth is a growing and costly scourge on too many communities in our state,” said Senator Beavers, prime sponsor of the bill.  “While it robs users of their health and cognitive abilities, it robs children of any chance of a normal childhood.  Meanwhile, the byproducts of the drug’s production are quickly and quietly ravaging our environment.  This new law is a huge step in attacking the meth problem we face in Tennessee.”

Roberts, who co-sponsored the bill said, “Previously, there was no mechanism in place in Tennessee to block illegal PSE sales in real time, with pharmacies and retailers having to rely on handwritten, paper logbooks to track purchases.  As a result, criminals learned to circumvent the system.  This new law addresses the problem on the front end so we can curb the meth production in our state.” 

The new law requires that as of January 1, 2012, all pharmacies must use NPLEx, which exports the data to law enforcement.  NPLEx must have a stop sale mechanism in place by that time for potential purchasers over the allowable purchase limit and anyone on the meth offender registry. 

Another key law co-sponsored by Beavers and Roberts that is set to take effect January 1 is the “E-Verify” system to ensure that new hires are in the state legally.  The new law calls for businesses with over five employees to obtain a copy of his or her driver’s license or utilize the E-Verify system.  The measure would penalize businesses for violation of the law with escalating consequences for repeated offenses.  It also provides a mechanism for small businesses without Internet access to call the Department of Labor for verification assistance. 

“This new law helps ensure that those who are working Tennessee are here legally,” said Senator Roberts.  “The E-Verify system has been highly successful in localities where it has been used.”

E-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration, allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees by entering their name and a social security number.  It is free to employers in all 50 states, including Tennessee where more than 4,000 businesses have voluntarily participated in the system.  Fifteen states, including five which are adjacent to Tennessee, require the use of E-Verify for public and/or private employers.  The E-Verify system is 97.4 percent accurate.   

“Federal contractors or subcontractors have been required to use E-verify since 2008 to determine employment eligibility of employees performing direct work,” added Beavers.  “I am very pleased that both of these new laws will be enacted as we ring in the new year.”

Also set to take effect as we ring in 2012 is a new law to enhance the voting procedure for those serving in the military by ensuring Tennesseans abroad who do not receive their official ballot in time can participate in an election.   Tennessee ranks among the top states in the nation in the number of military personnel.  The new law, co-sponsored by Beavers and Roberts, requires that the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot is accepted for all elections in which a person is eligible to vote; and may be used simultaneously for registration and an absentee ballot request.

Finally, legislation sponsored by Beavers will take effect on January 1 to require the testing of a driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) level in cases where the driver has previously been convicted of a DUI or when there is a child present in the vehicle.  Tennessee’s DUI law already requires BAC testing when there is serious bodily injury to a victim or death.  This measure simply puts these two additional conditions into the law when testing must be performed, whether or not the driver consents.   The test results may be offered into evidence, subject to the rules of evidence. 

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(NASHVILLE, TN), November 16, 2011 – State Senator Kerry Roberts (R-Springfield) today applauded the appointment of Ridgetop Police Chief Randall Adcock to the Tennessee Peace Officers Standard and Training (P.O.S.T.) Commission.  The appointment was made recently by Governor Bill Haslam.

“This is an excellent appointment,” said Senator Roberts.  “Randall will be a tremendous asset to our state in this position.  I congratulate him and look forward to seeing the excellent work he will do in the future as a member of this Commission.” 

The Tennessee Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission is responsible for developing and enforcing standards and training for all local police officers. The Commission also promotes continuing law enforcement training for the full time peace officers in Tennessee. In addition, the Commission certifies law enforcement training instructors, curricula, and specialized schools.

The Commission is composed of eighteen members and includes local law enforcement personnel, legislators, and Tennessee citizens who are not connected with law enforcement.

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October 21, 2011  –  I am very pleased to announce that Sumner and Robertson Counties were the recipient of numerous public safety grants this past week totaling over $91,800.  These grants help fund a variety of enforcement, legal and educational initiatives across the state, including first responder equipment purchases, DUI prosecutors, speed enforcement, and child passenger safety training.  They are issued to agencies that successfully applied for assistance based on need. 

Those agencies receiving high visibility grants of approximately $5,000 include the Coopertown Police Department, the Greenbrier Police Department, Millersville Police Department, Sumner County Sheriff’s Department, Volunteer State Community College Campus Police and the Westmoreland Police Department . 

Other grants included a substantial $47,290 grant for our Sumner County Drug Court and $19,514 for the White House Police Department’s efforts to protect citizens from those who drink and drive.

The Sumner County Adult Drug Court represents the coordinated efforts of the judiciary, prosecution, defense bar, probation, law enforcement, treatment, mental health, social services, and child protection services to actively and forcefully intervene and break the cycle of substance, abuse, addiction, and crime.  It links the resources of the criminal justice system, substance abuse programs, and other agencies.  Officials say the program has increased treatment participation and decreased criminal recidivism.  I am pleased they will receive this grant to aid them in their efforts.

I am also pleased the White House Police Department has received funds to help them in their efforts to rid our streets of drunk drivers.  This is a major public safety issue for Tennessee.  We must do everything possible to rid our streets of those who drink and drive, including providing greater resources to help law enforcement patrol our roads.

I congratulate all of our local law enforcement officials for the hard work done to secure these grants.  It should help upgrade their efforts to make our roads safer and protect our citizens.

In other good news this past week, I received a report showing that during the fiscal year 2011-2012 both Sumner and Robertson Counties share of Tennessee’s budget has increased.  Sumner County will receive $9,957,800 more than in the 2010-2011 budget year.  Robertson County will receive $7,408,200 more than in the 2010-2011 budget. 

This is at a time when the state budget was reduced $1.2 billion from the 2010-11 budget, which is a decrease of 3.8 percent. 
    
The county-by-county statistics are prepared each year by the Office of Legislative Budget Analysis, which works in concert with state finance officials in gathering the detailed information.  Citizens can review the full report at  http://www.capitol.tn.gov/joint/staff/budget-analysis/county-reports/counties11.

It is very important that we bring our citizen’s tax dollars back to Sumner and Robertson Counties and I will continue to work to do just that.

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