Rep. Sarah Stevens has spent only one session in the N.C. General Assembly so far, but believes she’s gained valuable legislative knowledge while also staying focused on serving the folks back home effectively.

“I think because my experience has been limited to the first term, I have not been ingrained,” Stevens said Wednesday of the power structure she has witnessed in Raleigh since being elected in November 2008.

But while admitting she’s still undergoing on-the-job training as far as becoming a mover and shaker in the capital, the Mount Airy Republican — who filed to seek a second two-year term this week — thinks she has made some headway.

This has included becoming indoctrinated in what’s required to get laws passed as well as forming alliances with other legislators which should pay dividends for her constituents in the future. “Some things, you just can’t do much as one person,” Stevens, 49, said of the General Assembly process.

Yet something the first-term lawmaker said she definitely hasn’t done is allowed herself to become immersed in the Raleigh political scene to the point she loses contact with those in her legislative district, which includes Surry and Alleghany counties.

Stevens added Wednesday that her goals all along have included trying to bring a common-sense approach to state government while staying in touch with constituents and reflecting their wishes when voting on issues.

“And I think I’ve done those things,” she said.

Stevens, a Mount Airy attorney with 24 years in the legal profession, managed to successfully sponsor key legislation despite her first-term status, and is looking to accomplish more after the General Assembly begins its “short session” on May 12.

One accomplishment by the local legislator involved being a primary sponsor of a bill expected to boost the dwindling ranks of volunteer firefighters in North Carolina in the future.

That legislation, which also applies to volunteer rescue squads, was aimed at making sure existing legal restrictions on employment of youths under 18 do not prohibit those between 15 and 18 from participating in fire- or rescue-related training.

The measure ratified last April created an exemption to labor law so that uncompensated qualified youths in the targeted age group can receive training through their volunteer fire departments or rescue squads, as well as certain state institutions.

Stevens also was a primary sponsor of a successful bill allowing a 6-percent occupancy tax to be imposed in incorporated areas of Surry County, which will provide funds to market the local tourism industry that is gaining in importance.

She additionally has pursued economic-development initiatives designed to help smaller businesses expand and entrepreneurs launch new ventures. This differs from the traditional approach of subsidizing large corporations that build plants in North Carolina localities and sometimes end up “taking this money and leaving,” Stevens said.

Domestic-Violence Laws

Looking ahead to the 2010 legislative session, Stevens is excited about her committee assignments that include exploring improvements to the state’s domestic-violence and child-custody laws.

She was appointed to a study committee on domestic violence and recently led a meeting in Mount Airy attended by 24 people who are involved with that issue.

Stevens hopes her work with the committee, which is making use of her legal expertise, will lead to less abuse of domestic-violence protection orders and also make assault laws apply evenly to men and women.

Men now can be charged with assault on a female, a severe misdemeanor offense, she explained, but there is no similar law applying to offenses against males, who sometimes are battering victims themselves. “I’m just trying to do what’s fair,” Stevens explained.

She further is working to help streamline the courts’ handling of child-custody matters.

In addition to possible legislation related to domestic issues, Stevens believes the upcoming session will tackle the state law allowing involuntary annexation in order to give affected residents more leeway in fighting expansion-minded municipalities.

The Legislature might address efforts by cities to launch their own cable television systems as well.

“Money is still going to be an issue,” Stevens added in reference to the tight budget concerns that dominated the 2009 General Assembly session.

The first-term House member says she is ready for all the challenges ahead while also continuing to fulfill what she considers her basic mission:

“I promise to continue working for our interests,” Stevens said of those in her district, “and to keep people informed about what’s going on and to keep my common sense down in Raleigh.”

She added, “And if I lose those perspectives, I need to be voted out.”

Contact Tom Joyce at tjoyce@mtairynews.com or at 719-1924.