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

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Legislative Update from Rep. Anna Wills

Friday, October 6, 2017

Dear Friends,

I hope you are enjoying these cooler fall days! Here are a few updates and upcoming events:

MNLARS Update

If you have been experiencing issues trying to register a vehicle, transfer a title, etc. at the license bureau, it is due to a new system that is being implemented by the Department of Public Safety: the Minnesota Licensing and Registration System (MNLARS). The House Transportation Finance Committee Chair: Rep. Paul Torkelson has been working closely with the Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety: Mona Dohman, discussing possible solutions to not only get license bureaus back to operating functionally, but to also improve their efficiency as well. Read more here.

Click here to share any issues you’ve experienced.

Met Council Audit

On Wednesday, the nonpartisan Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA) released a report on the Met Council’s finances, showing a $237 million discrepancy between the funding they reported to the federal government and the funding they reported to the legislature. The OLA was directed to complete this audit under legislation that was passed this previous session.

We need to hold the Met Council accountable for this sizable “accounting error.” House Republicans are committed to discovering the truth behind this financial blunder, as well as making the Met Council more transparent.

Individual Insurance Rates

On Monday, the Minnesota Department of Commerce released final rates for the 2018 individual health insurance market, revealing some optimism for those Minnesotans who purchase their health insurance on the individual market. The reforms that were passed during the 2017 Legislative Session have helped end a four year streak of double-digit premium increases, as well as expand health care choices to Minnesota families by improving access to hospitals and doctors. Additionally, these reforms require that all current insurers continue serving the individual market next year and that providers be required to offer in-network access to more than one health care provider system in the counties in which they operate.

Over the past four years, premium rates have increased by double digits annually, including nearly 60% last year. According to the Minnesota Department of Commerce, rates would have risen by 20% or more without the reforms passed last session.

In addition, last Friday, Minnesota Management and Budget announced that more than 112,000 Minnesotans have benefited from the premium assistance program that was passed this past session. This program was established to help those Minnesotans who were most negatively affected by skyrocketing insurance costs.

Continuing to reform our health insurance system will remain a priority next session.

Elections/Voting

Absentee voting has begun for the District 196 School Board Election! Click here to learn more and where to vote.

A FEW EVENTS COMING UP IN OUR COMMUNITY:

Fire Prevention Week Open Houses

Fire Prevention week is October 8th – 14th! Bring your family to one of the open houses hosted by our local Fire Departments to learn about fire prevention and safety.

Here are the details the open houses hosted by the Apple Valley Fire Department:

  • Station 1 located at 15000 Hayes Rd, Tuesday, October 10th 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
  • Station 2 located at 13995 Galaxie Ave, Wednesday, October 11th 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
  • Station 3 located at 14195 Essex Ave, Thursday, October 12th 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Here are the details for the open house hosted by the Rosemount Fire Department:

  • Station 1 located at 14700 Shannon Pkwy, Sunday, October 15th, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Interim Appointments

If you would like to meet with me to ask 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 and Twitter at https://twitter.com/annacwills.

Have a good weekend!

Sincerely,

House Image

Anna Wills

State Representative, District 57B