Bill would simplify relocation for spouses

[unhappycamper]

Bill would simplify relocation for spouses
By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Friday, February 27, 2009

WASHINGTON — Cindy Maurer is living in Maryland right now, but she doesn’t have any idea what state really counts as her home.

"We’ve moved 10 times in 18 years," the Navy wife said. "I’m a physical therapist, and have a professional license in Mississippi, California, Maryland, Hawaii and Virginia. I have a driver’s license in my purse that’s from Hawaii, but I’m a voter in Maryland now.

"I’m spinning just thinking about everything I have to do every time we have to move."

Under federal law, servicemembers who move from state to state on military assignments can keep their home state residency if they so choose, allowing them to avoid switching driver’s licenses, voting privileges and tax status.

But military spouses who join them can’t. Maurer said with each move she’s had to research new state residency laws to figure out how to register the couple’s cars, where to file their taxes and dozens of other tasks.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=60994