BUDGET CONFERENCE

As a state legislator, my most important duty is that of passing a balanced budget for the people in the State of Florida. As session draws to a close, the budget process is in full-swing.

The House of Representatives and the Senate have a constitutional obligation to pass a balanced budget. The two versions of the budget vary significantly and in these hard fiscal times, we must make sure that each citizen is fairly represented in our budget. As such, I have been placed on the Budgetary Conference Committee in order to work with my Senate counterparts to ensure a just and balanced budget.

Please stay tuned as I fight to ensure that our budget is just and balanced.

SACHS BRINGS ATTENTION TO IDENTITY THEFT

It’s in the news, on TV, and everywhere around us: identity theft. The lesson should be clear enough: in this day and age, you can never be too careful. As a member of the Select Committee to Protect Personal Information, I would like to provide my constituents with valuable news regarding this epidemic.

There are plenty of common-sense ways you could curb your risk of identity theft: shred personal information, guard your Social Security number, and keep a close eye on your credit report. However, if you really want to protect yourself and your money - consider putting a security freeze on your credit file.

A security freeze prevents anyone from accessing your credit report and/or credit score without your permission. You might wonder “How would that help if someone is determined to steal my identity and open accounts in my name?” Well, identity thieves will have a very tough time opening an account in your name, even if they have access to such information such as your name, date of birth, and Social Security number. That’s due to the fact that lenders generally will not issue new credit without first seeing a credit report.

In order to put a security freeze on your file, you will have to send a certified letter to each of the three major bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. In most states, the service is free for identity-theft victims who provide a police report.

SACHS SAVINGS OF THE WEEK

Were you aware that thanks to the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, more than 130 billion American households will receive a payment of at least $300 if they had at least $3000 in qualifying income? In order to qualify, there must be a tax return filed (even if the $3,000 in qualifying income comes from Social Security, Veteran Benefits, etc). In order to receive a payment, taxpayers must have a valid Social Security numbers, $3,000 of income and file a 2007 federal tax return. Eligible people will receive up to $600 ($1,200 for married couples), and parents will receive an additional $300 for each eligible child under the age of 17. For more information, please visit www.irs.gov

IMPORTANT: IRS will not contact taxpayers by phone or email about stimulus payments or refunds, so please be aware of scams.