Although State Rep. April Weaver, R-Alabaster, is just a freshman in the state house, she’s already hit a home run with her first sponsored bill.

She is sponsoring legislation, House Bill 61, to allow businesses with fewer than 25 employees to deduct 100 percent of the amount they pay for health insurance premiums on behalf of qualifying employees as part of employer-provided health insurance plans from their state income tax returns each year.

This will allow more small businesses to offer health insurance to their employees, which will, in turn, save Alabama residents money and headaches.

The bill will also allow employees who earn less than $50,000 per year and are employed by companies with fewer than 25 employees to also deduct from their state tax returns 100 percent of the amount they pay in health insurance premiums as part of an employer-provided insurance plan.

Even though Weaver is new to politics, it’s safe to say she gets it. In today’s economy, small businesses are where the jobs are. If our government representatives can help small businesses stay viable, it’s their responsibility to do so.

Legislation such as House Bill 61 is the best way to accomplish Gov. Robert Bentley’s goal of bringing more jobs to Alabama. With bills like this, we’re taking care of our own and giving tax breaks to small businesses, not just larger corporations.

The state should now be able to attract even more small businesses, whose owners will know Alabama is interested in bringing all businesses to the state — not just huge operations.

The We Say is the opinion of the Shelby County Reporter editorial board.