Accessibility menu
State Representative Sarah Anderson
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-5511
For more information contact: Jodi Boyne 651-296-0640
NEWS COLUMN
LESSER KNOWN, BUT NO LESS IMPORTANT
By Sarah Anderson
State Representative, Plymouth & Medicine Lake
The most anticipated day in the second month of the 2007 legislative session was probably the last. On the 28th, we received news that the projected surplus remains above the $2 billion mark. That is good news and it means we can continue to work on our top issues - property taxes, health care and education - without tax increases. These three issues dominate most of the news coverage coming from the Capitol, and rightly so. They are the top three things we heard about during last year’s campaign.
But I want to keep you informed on other issues as well. They may not have the “high profile” status that others do, but they are just as important. Here are four in particular that I’m involved in, all of which I’m happy to say are bipartisan efforts.
Child Safety
Ever-changing technology requires us to constantly adapt and, unfortunately, sometimes it becomes a matter of public safety. Internet sexual predators are exploiting a gap in state law that makes it illegal to sexually solicit a minor, but overlooks instances of engaging in explicit communication, often called “grooming” because predators use it to “pave the way” for more harm. I am co-sponsoring a bipartisan bill to close the loophole so detectives can prosecute these sick people and put them in prison before they can do even more harm.
Money Management
One of the most basic, necessary skills of adulthood is the ability to manage money. With home foreclosures on the rise and people falling victim to credit scams and “free credit” offers that stuff our mailboxes, it is clear we need to make sure students graduate high school with money smarts. That’s why I’m working with Republicans and Democrats on House File 411, to help students on their way to financial literacy.
Veterans Benefits
If you put your life at risk to be a part of the military, you shouldn’t be taxed for the money you earn doing so. The same goes if you’re a military veteran. Under House File 300, current military members, retirees and survivors of retirees would have their military income be exempt from state taxes. The bill is already passing through committees as part of a larger plan for veterans benefits. I am proud to support it.
Long-term Care
Hopefully you know about the tax credit for long-term care insurance. I’m joined with several other lawmakers to sponsor a bill increasing the maximum credit and encouraging more people to take out long-term care insurance. It’s a smart, responsible way to prepare for potential health care needs. Long-term care is one of the major contributors to higher health care costs. Expanding the maximum credit makes planning more affordable.
I will continue keeping you informed of these issues and all the important issues that come through the Legislature this year. March is shaping up to be a busy month. By the end, we should have a pretty good idea of how the state will manage the budget in the next two years. A lot of you have written, called and stopped by with your own thoughts - keep ‘em coming! They are always appreciated. Thank you.
-30-
News Items
- Letter to the Editor - (Posted: 2012-02-20 00:00:00)
- Welcome to the 2012 Session - (Posted: 2012-01-31 00:00:00)
- REDISTRICTING ORGANIZATION TO WITHHOLD MAP FROM PUBLIC SCRUTINY - (Posted: 2011-10-14 00:00:00)
- Archived News Items
- Subscribe to RSS News Feeds
- Read more about RSS.