My First Blog!

I'm going to try something new and start a blog on my website! A constituent recently asked what accomplishments I could point to from last session and what I had on my agenda for this year.  They also commented that I should have more updated information on my website. Well, here it is..my first post to keep you updated. This blog will likely be rambling and musings on what's happening at the legislature and with my race for Senate so I ask all you English teachers out there to be kind as I compose/post on the fly.

I am excited about my legislation for combatting Title Deed Fraud, HB2842! I have been working on this since I was elected to the legislature with a constituent who had her house stolen (it was her deceased father's home that was willed to her and her brother). Fortunately, she found out about the transaction early enough and had the financial means to fight the fraud and was ultimately able to get her house back. We want to stop these fraudulent transactions by having realtors and title companies report current transactions to the Department of Real Estate so they can verify the owners. 
 
We have tried different tactics/legislation in previous sessions. Last session, my bill was heard and passed in the Government Committee but did not get any farther. This next session, I am confident that this new legislation will get through. We had a meeting with the chairman of the Government Committee and he has indicated a desire to move this important legislation. 
 
Deed Fraud was not something that I had on my radar when I first went to the legislature. As you know from my website, I am interested in increasing funding for public schools (I have two sisters and now a niece who are public school educators); protecting the elderly from scams and abuses (I am on the Governor's Advisory Council for Aging and a representative on the legislature's Vulnerable Adults Study Committee); improving the economy to make it more affordable for families and young people; and protecting the environment. These are all popular issues with my colleagues who have introduced legislation which I have co-sponsored such as: free school meals, full-day kindergarten, school safety programs, accountability of the Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESA vouchers), workers rights, rent regulation, repealing the right to work statute, ensuring a woman's right to choose is not impeded by statutory restrictions still on the books, etc. 
 
Last year, I co-sponsored nearly 90 bills with my colleagues which, unfortunately, didn't get very far in this Republican legislature. I haven't seen the latest tally, but I co-sponsored many bills again this session. 
 
The bills I sponsored last session, and am championing again this session, are to extend TANF from 1-year to 5 years (HB2560) (it is my belief that one year is not enough time for families to get back on their feet after having a child and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families should be extended); to put a notice on rental contracts stating resources for tenants in case they get into financial trouble and can't pay their rent to prevent evictions (HB2565); to continue the appropriation for the Area Agencies on Aging to help seniors with housing and other needs (HB2561) (this I fought for in the budget process and got $7 million one-time funds); and additional regulations on short-term rentals (HB2566, HB2567, HB2568). I am also reintroducing HB2844 to audit the contracted state prison system. I would like to audit the system to ensure the incarcerated population in these facilities are getting adequate care, nutrition, exercise, and respectful treatment. 
 
I think blogs are supposed to be shorter so I'll end for now. 

In your service 
Patty