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

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Legislative Update from Rep. Anna Wills

Friday, August 4, 2017

Dear Friends,

This week was Night to Unite in our community, and it was great to see everyone who came out!  We also had some great news in terms of premium rate projections for the 2018 individual insurance market, and our community honored Ben Kopp’s legacy in a bridge renaming ceremony.

2018 Individual Insurance Rate Projections

On Monday, the Department of Commerce released the preliminary rates for the 2018 individual insurance market. The individual market serves Minnesotans who do not receive health insurance through their employer or the government.

Preliminary rate projections indicate that the reforms House Republicans enacted this year could put an end to the double-digit premium increases that have been seen for the last four years. We hope this will go a long way to undoing the damage that the implementation of Obamacare through MNsure has done to our insurance market.

According to the Minnesota Department of Commerce, rates would have risen by 25 percent or more in 2018 if we had not passed premium reforms this past session.

This is very good news, and we hope these projections hold true when premium rates are finalized for 2018.

Night to Unite

This last Tuesday was Night to Unite.  I had a great time chatting with constituents at block parties in Rosemount and Apple Valley.  Thanks to everyone who took time to chat, and I look forward to seeing people at next year's block parties as well!

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Ben Kopp Memorial Bridge Dedication

On Wednesday, August 2nd, members of our community came together to dedicate and rename the bridge over US HWY 52 at County Road 46 in honor of Corporal Benjamin S. Kopp.  I was humbled to be a part of the dedication, and I am so pleased that we now have a reminder of Ben and his heroic and incredible legacy in our community for generations to come.

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Delays at the DMV

As I mentioned in last week's update, the Department of Motor Vehicles has been updating it's computer system to a new system, known as MNLARS. This upgrade has encountered a couple of hiccups along the way, with local DMVs doing their best to remedy the situation to the best of their abilities. This is an issue with the state-wide system, and it is being addressed. In the meantime, it may be worth while trying to renew your vehicle tabs online before you make the trip to the DMV. The legislature is also gathering information on what problems people are encountering to fix the situation more quickly.

If you run into any problem while renewing your license, please use this link to leave feedback: www.house.leg.state.mn.us/DMV/Comment.

MN Zoo Kangaroo Crossing!

Last week I packed up the kids and we headed to the Minnesota Zoo to visit their summer exhibit, Kangaroo Crossing.  This exhibit was enabled by Legacy Amendment dollars allocated through the legislature and the generous support of Think Mutual Bank. This year, my bills allocating $4 million in bonding dollars for Zoo asset preservation and $3.5 million for new exhibits, like Kangaroo Crossing, successfully passed the legislature. It was such a fun experience to be able to get so close to the animals, and the kids thoroughly enjoyed it!

Here is a video with some information about the Zoo and Kangaroo Crossing specifically: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOyS_K9OZVE

For more information on Kangaroo Crossing, which runs until Labor Day, use this link: http://mnzoo.org/kangaroo-crossing/

Rosemount Long-Term Plan Open House

This coming Tuesday, the City of Rosemount will be holding an open house to present Rosemount’s Comprehensive Plan, which is directed toward meeting the growing needs of community through 2040.  The open house will be at the Community Center, from 6:30- 8:30pm.

Rosemount City Council Survey

The Rosemount City Council has been collecting resident opinions about the major issues facing our community.  An online survey for collecting input will be in use through Saturday, as an experiment for gathering information.  Use the survey here: http://ci.rosemount.mn.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=200

Rosemount/Apple Valley Citizens Police Academy

In September and October the Rosemount and Apply Valley Police Departments will be offering additional opportunities for individuals to participate in the Citizens Police Academy.  Residents can apply and learn what our area officers do to maintain public safety.  The Academy will be from Sept. 5th- Oct. 24th.   For more information, use this link: http://ci.rosemount.mn.us/559/Citizens-Police-Academy

Interim Appointments

If you would like to meet with me to as any questions or discuss a particular issue, my meetings will be held in-district during these months before next year’s session. Simply use the same contact information for my office below, and we will find a time and place to meet in our community, instead of traveling all the way to Saint Paul!

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.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

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Anna Wills

State Representative, District 57B