If you are looking for a discussion board or want to instant chat with others with spina bifida please visit the ASCC Message Board
HOT NEWS:
Julie has finished her work on a CD to show our new families about
life with spina bifida. the showing will be August 7th, Saturday at 4pm at
Springlake Church of the Nazarene, 21607 North Springlake Road, Hensley, AR
72065. This is located in East End Community of South Little Rock. For
directions please call Vicki at 501-978-7222. The CD is approximately 30 mins
long. Dinner is offered following the documentary provided by Los Toritos
Mexican Restaurant. Please RSVP to casey@teameli.com. Please come join us if
you can. We are excited to have this information available.
IMPORTANT NEWS:Proposed Legislation will Expand
Developmental Disability Tax Credit
As many parents with children with Spina Bifida are well aware, the state credit for developmental disabilities does not specifically include kids with Spina Bifida or other congenital disabilities. It has been a challenge for parents who choose not mark a ‘box’ that does not describe their child, though certainly they deserve a credit.
Representative Roy Ragland of Marshall and Senator Terry Smith of Hot Springs have just submitted a bill before the 89th Legislative Session now meeting at the state Capitol.
Their bill,
HB1045 proposes a change in the definition of a disability qualifying for an income tax credit for supporting a child with a disability. The new language changes the wording to add a permanent total disability to the present developmental disaibility. Language is included to cover children with:
• loss or loss of use of both hands
• loss or loss of use of both arms
• loss or loss of use of both legs
• loss or loss of use of both eyes.
The law would become effective for the 2009 tax year (filed in 2010).
You can support this bill in becoming law by contacting your local Representative or Senator to ask them to vote YES on
HB1045. Let them know it will benefit your family.
If you know your Senator or Representative, call him or her or send an email or a letter. But the session is moving quickly so you need to contact them NOW!
If you do not know your representative, you can contact your County Clerk to find out or you can go one the Arkansas legislators websites to find them. Click on your county and the Representative or Senator’s info will pop up.
For your State Representative, go to
http://www.arkansas.gov/house/reps.phpFor your Senator, go to
http://www.arkansas.gov/senate/senators.htmlTo view the bill click here HB1045.pdf