POUGHKEEPSIE – Mayor Rob Rolison, a retired police detective, plans to focus on public safety when he gets sworn in as a state senator next week. Rolison, a Republican, was elected to the state senate representing the 39th senate district in November of this year.
“Everything comes from public safety,” Rolison said. “If you don’t feel safe in your community, in your county, in your state and country, that needs to be addressed.” Rolison previously told Mid-Hudson News that the state’s controversial bail reform laws were a hot button issue when he was on the campaign trail.
Rolison’s vision of his role in Albany is that of “trusted advisor” when it comes to public safety issues. He also vowed to be “A trusted person in that area ( public safety) because that’s where I’ve been my entire life.” Expanding on his vision, the son of the late Senator Jay Rolison said “I’m not going to try to be an expert, not going to try to be the smartest guy on every topic,” which he says is the same approach he has taken so far as an elected official. “When you stay in your lane, you have an opportunity to accomplish things.”
The senator-elect indicated that the voters in the 39th senate district, and others, are also concerned with the economy, inflation, and the cost of goods. While admitting that not everything can be solved just at the state level, he vowed to use his years of experience as an elected official in the county legislature and mayor of Poughkeepsie, to work on solutions that can be developed in Albany.
Video of Rolison’s interview with Mid-Hudson News regarding public safety:
