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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Anna Wills (R)

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Legislative Update from Rep. Anna Wills

Friday, February 10, 2017

Dear Friends,

Last week we saw efforts in the House concentrated on moving bills through the committee process, and this week some significant energy security and affordability measures passed the House. I have also introduced several additional bills on behalf of our community, and look forward to walking those through the legislative process.

 

Committee Deadlines

As many of you know, last year the legislative session ended in a hurried chaos. Negotiations with the Governor on several major finance bills ran up until the very last minute and came to an abrupt and disappointing end, including our transportation, bonding, and tax bills.

My colleagues and I heard concerns across the state from our constituents that this was not a healthy way to conduct the state's business, and I agree wholeheartedly. To proactively address these concerns, Republican leadership in both the House and Senate have decided to set the final deadlines for finance committees to 52 days before the end of session this year,. This means that there will be an additional 4 weeks for leadership to negotiate with Governor Dayton and come to a reasonable compromise on these important bills. It will also result in more transparency as to what is being included in these pieces of legislation and what is on the table in negotiations. We don’t want to run out the clock and hustle these big decisions, and I am happy that this solution has been agreed upon in the House and Senate.

 

My Bills

I have introduced several new bill at the legislature in the last couple of weeks; here is a brief overview of some of them.

HF520

This legislation allows for up to a $500 tax credit for families setting money aside for higher education in a Minnesota college savings plan. You can follow this bill through the legislative process at this link: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?f=HF520&b=house&y=2017&ssn=0

HF521

Similar to HF520, this legislation allows for up to a $500 tax credit for families setting money aside for higher education in any 529 college savings plan. You can follow this bill through the legislative process at this link: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF0521&ssn=0&y=2017

HF745

I am privileged and proud to be the chief author of a bill in the Minnesota House to that would rename the bridge over Hwy 52 in Coates to honor Corporal Benjamin S. Kopp.

Pursuing this legislation on behalf of a local fallen hero is one of the sobering and meaningful aspects of being a legislator. It is humbling to be able to work on this on behalf of Ben Kopp and his family to honor his life and sacrifice for our country here in our community. Here is a link to the bill’s tracking page: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF0745&ssn=0&y=2017

Here is an article in the Rosemount Pages containing more information: http://www.rosemounttownpages.com/news/government/4214296-proposed-bridge-name-would-honor-fallen-rosemount-soldier

HF853

This bill allocates $450,000 in bonding dollars to the Family Resource Center in Rosemount for a new addition to provide after school tutoring and a food shelf for those in need in our community. You can monitor this bill’s status in the House at this link: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF0853&ssn=0&y=2017

 

Condolences to the Family of Gophers Legend Ray Christensen

I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the passing of Rosemount resident Ray Christensen, who was the voice of Gopher football for 50 years. Ray called 510 Gopher football games and 1,309 Gopher men's basketball games on WCCO Radio during his time as a broadcaster, and was a comforting and familiar voice to several generations of Minnesota sports fans. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, and our state mourns Ray's passing along side them. Here is a link to a story about Ray's legendary life and career: http://www.twincities.com/2017/02/06/ray-christensen-voice-of-the-gophers-dies-at-92/

 

Keep in Touch

As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with your comments, questions, and concerns. Email me any time at rep.anna.wills@house.mn or call 651-296-4306. You can also follow my updates on Facebook at www.facebook.com/repannawills. If you plan to stop by and visit me at the Capitol once I have returned from maternity leave, my office is 491 in the State Office Building.

Sincerely,

House Image

Anna Wills

State Representative, District 57B