In over two decades serving in the state legislature, Roy Herron has only missed a single legislative session — the day his youngest son was being born. Perhaps that explains how he’s been able to get so much done.
Herron worked to bring jobs to Tennessee, made healthcare more affordable and accessible, and improved our children’s education. He overcame entrenched special interests to pass landmark ethics reforms, cracked down on predatory lending, and passed laws to keep our children safe and healthy. Herron sponsored the Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights that is now a part of the state constitution.
Herron Worked to Create Jobs and Grow our Economy
Herron has helped prepare Tennessee for the jobs of the future. He sponsored legislation that helps employers develop plans for training workers to meet future industry needs. Herron also helped make possible the West Tennessee Megasite that will bring 21st-century jobs and industry to rural West Tennessee. He has supported legislation that would help bring high-skill, high-wage “green jobs” to Tennessee and established the Ned R. McWherter Center for Rural Development to educate future leaders, offer scholarships for talented Tennesseans, and work for the jobs of the future.
Herron Made Health Care More Affordable and Accessible
Herron sponsored SB 1360 to make it easier for consumers to afford their prescription medications by expanding access to generic drugs. His Tennessee Rural Health Act provides loans to people studying to be health care professionals who will serve in shortage areas, bringing needed medical care to underserved areas of the state while expanding access to higher education. Herron also understands that hardworking people who play by the rules shouldn’t have to foot the bill for others’ greed. That’s why he has authored laws to strengthen penalties for Medicaid fraud and protect whistleblowers who expose Medicaid and health insurance fraud.
Herron Improved Our Children’s Education
A father of three, Herron has fought to give our children the education they deserve. In the General Assembly, he supported K – 12 education reforms that have improved the quality of education in Tennessee. Believing that quality teachers will make for quality education, Herron has sponsored legislation that helps our public schools recruit and retain the best and brightest teachers. And as Chair of the Select Committee on Children and Youth, he fought hard for better education and healthy children.
Herron Worked to Keep our Children Safe and Healthy
As a thirty-time marathoner and three-time Ironman Triathlete, Herron understands the importance of a healthy lifestyle. That’s why he worked with Governor Phil Bredesen in authoring legislation that created the state’s coordinated school health system. Quality health is essential to quality education.
Over the years, Herron has also introduced and expanded legislation encouraging the use of child safety seats and bike helmets to protect our youth. He sponsored and passed HB 3750, a measure to curb childhood obesity by requiring 90 minutes of physical exercise by students each week.
Herron also sponsored comprehensive child care reform legislation. The bill protects children and taxpayers alike by requiring training and background checks for workers at child care facilities, as well as audits for child care centers and better enforcement of state regulations. He also sponsored a law which has made it easier for law enforcement to gather evidence needed to investigate and prosecute sexual abuse of minors.
Herron Protected Homeowners in Tennessee
Long before the current surge of home foreclosures nationwide, Herron fought to prohibit predatory lending practices and protect homeowners. Herron sponsored and won passage of the Tennessee Home Protection Act, which helps protect Tennesseeans from some of the worst predatory schemes.
Herron Fought to Clean Up Government
Sen. Herron passed a landmark ethics reform bill which changed the way lawmakers do business in the state capitol. He was the lead sponsor of SB 1841, an act that prohibited public officials from being paid by special interests for influencing legislation or obtaining government contracts. But this was just the latest in ethics reforms Herron has authored. He has been a long-time advocate for good government.
Herron Kept Drugs Off Our Streets and Drunk Drivers Off the Roads
Throughout his career, Herron has been a leader in the effort to keep our communities safe from substance abuse and drunk driving. He sponsored the Meth-Free Tennessee Act, which increased penalties for meth makers, reduced access to meth’s key ingredients, and educated the public about the dangers of methamphetamine abuse. This law reduced the number of meth lab incidents in Tennessee by over 50 percent. Herron also sponsored legislation to reduce steroid and other drug abuse by young athletes.
Sen. Herron has sponsored measures to mandate that drunk drivers install ignition interlocks—a device that requires a sober breath in order to start the car. To prevent repeat DUI offenders from getting behind the wheel, Herron proposed legislation to send offenders directly to jail after conviction for driving drunk. He has also promoted public education to discourage drunk driving and fought to require a zero-tolerance policy on teens who drive under the influence.
Herron Fought for Crime Victims
Herron sponsored the Crime Victims' Bill of Rights, a constitutional amendment which ensures that victims of crime are protected from harassment, compensated for their pain, informed of the release or escape of their offenders, and able to have their voices heard throughout the criminal justice process.
He has authored bills extending these victim protections to cases involving juveniles and offenders in private prisons. Herron has also sponsored a law to allow victims to have a crime victim advocate or victim-witness coordinator present interviews, to ensure that those who have already suffered don’t have to endure further abuse, intimidation, or harassment.
