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

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Legislative Update from Rep. Anna Wills

Friday, January 19, 2018

Friends, 


What an exciting time to be a Minnesotan! Not only is the Super Bowl and all the festivities around it about to descend on the Twin Cities, but our own Vikings just played one of the most exciting games ever. Just one more win this weekend and they will be the first team in history to play in the Super Bowl at home! Skol Vikes! 

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New Malayan Tapir Calf!

On January 6th, our Minnesota Zoo welcomed a brand new Malayan tapir calf. Malayan tapirs are mammals and are an endangered species. They are nocturnal animals and almost impossible to spot in the wild! You can learn more and watch the Tapir Web Cam here before they make their official public debut. 

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More at the Minnesota Zoo!

I also had the opportunity to take a behind the scenes tour of the Minnesota Zoo today to meet with Director John Frawley to discuss the Zoo's legislative bonding request. As a state agency, the Zoo is an invaluable asset to our state and it's important we keep it up-to-date. I'm looking forward to chief-authoring the Zoo's bonding request this upcoming Session. More details on that in the weeks to come!

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Rep. Wills on her behind the scene tour of the MN Zoo

Also in 2018, the Minnesota Zoo is turning 40 years old and they are celebrating “40 Years of Amazing” all year long. The Zoo’s official birthday is May 22 and they will be sharing stories from guests about their favorite memories and incredible experiences from here at the Zoo. If you have an amazing memory from the Minnesota Zoo? They would love to hear it! Share it with them on social media using #40YearsofAmazing or e-mail it to 40yearsofamazing@mnzoo.org to be included

Improving Economy 

Minnesota’s net general fund receipts totaled $3.938 billion for the months of November and December 2017 that's $219 million or 5.9% more than projected in the November 2017 Budget and Economic Forecast. Receipts for the individual income tax, corporate tax, and other revenues were higher than expected for the quarter, while net sales tax receipts nearly matched the forecast. 

This spells great news for Minnesota's budget as many of the dire economic predictions that fed into projecting a small deficit for the state has not come to be. With tax relief coming to almost all Minnesota families and consumer confidence quite high, the economic future for Minnesota is looking bright. 

Teen Police Academy

High-school students can learn more about law enforcement during the next session of the Teen Police Academy. It will run February 1 through March 15, each Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. Applicants must be of high school age currently residing in or attending high school in Rosemount or Apple Valley. Applicants are subject to a background check. The deadline to sign up is January 26, and entry is free but space is limited. Register online here or contact Rosemount Police at 651-423-4491 for more information.

Visits from Local Girl Groups

It was such a treat to welcome groups of local girls to the Capitol this morning. They asked great questions and we had a lot of fun. The future is in good hands with these young leaders!  

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Rep. Wills and Heritage Girls Troop MN2016 outside her office

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Rep. Wills and Girl Scout Troop 57970 at her office

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 weeks before the 2018 Session starts on February 20th. Simply use the same contact information for my office below, and we will find a time and place to meet in our community, or we can meet at my office in St. Paul as well. 

As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with your comments, questions, and concerns. Email me anytime 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 and Skol Vikings!

 Sincerely,

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Anna Wills

State Representative, District 57B