In The Spotlights: Some State Legislators You Should Know

With all the fights in this nation seemingly happening in state level government, I thought it'd be cool to take a look at a few state legislators who are doing good work, and may be the last line of defense against radical right-wing attacks on women, unions, schools, and the environment. Let's take a look at them.

• Wisconsin State Senator Dave Hansen- "One a Teamster, always a Teamster." Hansen, from the Green Bay area, is a 20 year Teamster and Senator, as well as a member of the "Wisconsin 14" in Illinois right now to stop Governor Scott Walker. In a tough area that once elected Joe McCarthy, Hansen is risking his political career for the cause he believes in. Not only are pro-GOP forces trying to have him re-called, but the goons from Americans For Prosperity, the Koch Brothers' effort to buy democracy, are running ads against him. Hansen is a courageous man who deserves all the support he can get.
• Pennsylvania State Representative Tony Payton Jr.- Representative Payton, a Philadelphia based legislator, was elected in 2006. He previously served as a housing counselor at United Communities. Amongst his priorities in the legislature so far have been:

  Since his election, Rep. Payton has been at the forefront of intelligent reform in Pennsylvania. He introduced legislation to create the Pennsylvania Youth Commission, which is designed to engage young people to join in the democratic process; authored the REACH Scholarship Initiative, which would provide free tuition and fees to any state university for high school students who maintain a 3.0 grade point average and 90 percent attendance record; and introduced the Pennsylvania Green Jobs Act, which is designed to stimulate the expansion of clean energy research in Pennsylvania and increase the promotion and development of jobs and training in the clean energy sector.

He serves on the Human Services, Professional Licensing, Transportation, Democratic Policy, and State Government committees currently.

• Arizona State Representative Kyrsten Sinema- In the immediate aftermath of the Giffords shooting in Arizona, State Representative Kyrsten Sinema appeared on a few television shows, speaking about the need for civility in Arizona and across the nation. Makes sense coming from her, she has a whole book about the need for this "new way" in our politics. Already an Assistant Leader of the House Democrats, Sinema is seeking the State Senate seat in her 15th district. A Tucson native, she is a leader on ending tax loopholes, clean energy, and public education in her state. Oh yeah, she has a blog too.
• Iowa State Representative Anesa Kajtazovic- Anesa Kajtazovic was born in Bosnia, and came to the United States at the age of 7. She graduated college in just 3 years, and was elected to the State House just 3 years later. Saying she's impressive is probably not doing her justice. Well skilled in politics, and apparently life, she's now standing up for the core beliefs of Democrats as a legislator. She is fighting hard against an attempt to end Collective Bargaining in Iowa currently, while representing one of the swing-regions of a tough political state. She's an impressive young leader within our party.