Friends,
This week was highlighted by Governor Dayton delivering his final State of the State. The good news is that we can all agree that the state of our state is strong! Minnesota is a great place to live, work, and raise a family and I am proud to represent our community at the Capitol!
Supporting People with Disabilities
I have co-authored two bills that will help those who take care of the most vulnerable among us. The bills are supported by organizations such as ARRM (Association of Residential Resources in Minnesota), which is a nonprofit association of more than 200 providers, businesses, and advocates that work to ensure Minnesota’s public policy and regulatory environment promotes the independence, health, and safety of people with disabilities
- HF 2911, a bill I am a co-author on, extends the date by when an adult foster care or community residential settings may be issued a license for five beds, rather than four; mandates a discussion of technology at every service renewal meeting; and makes changes to the behavior supports training requirements. These changes will allow these important caregivers to provide better care to a greater number of people who need it.
Rep. Wills with advocates for the disability community.
- HF 3191, the other bill I am co-authoring, will change the formula that prescribes the rate at which services are paid for by Medicaid. This bill will stop a 7% cut to the rates Minnesotans rely on. The bill will also strengthen the system for setting supportive services rates.
My Bills in Committee this Week
House File 2908 is my bill to rename the bridge on Highway 52 over County Road 42 in Rosemount as Warrant Officer Dennis A. Groth Memorial Bridge. Warrant Officer Dennis A. Groth was born on the family farm in 1947, graduated from Rosemount High School, and was buried in the St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery - all in Rosemount near where the bridge is located. Dennis served as a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War and perished in a crash in 1968 - he was only 21 years old. This bill was heard in the Veterans Affairs Division on February 26th, in the Transportation Policy Committee on March 7th, and then in the Transportation Finance Committee on March 15th. It is now on its way to the Ways and Means Committee before heading to the full House Chamber.
Another bill I have authored, HF 3275, would appropriate $10,507,000 in bond proceeds to the Department of Military Affairs for renovating the 28-year-old National Guard Armory in Rosemount, called the Rosemount Readiness Center. Having never received a comprehensive rehabilitation, this facility rates "red", or "poor", condition. Renovation of the Rosemount Readiness Center includes replacement of doors, replacement of mechanical, electrical, telecom and data systems, window replacement, exterior tuckpointing, replace boiler, and repair exterior drainage issues. Upgrades include restrooms, locker rooms and showers, Building Code and ADA compliance items, individual equipment lockers, and force protection upgrades. I presented this bill in the State Government Finance Committee on March 15th and it is now on its way to the Capital Investment Committee. The video of the hearing is available here.
I have several more bill hearings coming up next week with the deadline coming up March 22nd, including a hearing on the DWI bill I discussed in last week's email update. To see the full list of bills I have authored, click here.
Teacher Licensure Meetings
In the 2017 Session, the legislature passed significant reforms to address the teacher shortage that many school districts across the state are facing, as well as the complicated and inconsistent hoops out-of-state teachers are having to jump through when they want to teach in Minnesota. Now the rules making process to create new licensure standards is currently underway. These meetings are open to the public and the schedule can be found here. The closest one to our area will be on TODAY from 3pm-6pm a the Minnesota Department of Education in Roseville, Conference Center A, Room 13. Comments can also be submitted here before 4:30 on March 28th.
Youth Commission and Police Academy
The Rosemount City Council invites young people who'd like to help improve their community to apply for the Youth Commission. Applications are open until March 23 for seats on the Youth Commission. Learn more on the City website.
The Citizens Police Academy is a joint effort with Apple Valley Police. Participants will get to ride along with an Officer. The program is free for attendees, who must be 18 years or older and currently reside or work in Rosemount or Apple Valley. Class sessions will alternate between the two cities on Tuesdays, April 3 through May 22, 6 - 9 p.m. One Saturday is also included. Deadline to register is March 28. [Learn more and apply to the Academy.]
Meetings this Week
Rep. Wills with constituents Rob and Nancy at the Capitol to chat about bike and road safety.
Rep. Wills and constituent Dan discussed his engineering legislative priorities such as bonding, transportation, and the workforce shortage.
Rep. Wills met with Rebecca and constituent Nick to discuss their chiropractic practice legislative priorities.
Rep. Wills with District 917 Alternative Learning Center school counselor John and several students who came to share their thoughts about school safety, healthy learning environments, and education funding.
Rep. Wills spoke with Nick and constituent Sunny about their legislative priorities regarding housing and the construction industry workforce shortage.
Rep. Wills with District 196 school board members, legislative advisory board members, and students who came to share their education legislative priorities.
Rep. Wills at the 2018 Annual Legislative Reception for all the local Chambers of Commerce in our community.
Rep. Wills met with Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District members Brian and Kevin who came to share the great work they're doing to improve water quality and their legislative priorities.
Rep. Wills met with Mark Grant, the DCTC Legislative Liason, who came to chat about the great things happening at DCTC.
Festival of Music
On Sunday, March 18th, from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM, come celebrate the Festival of Music at Eastview High School. The Velvet Tones, a non-profit community choral group of senior adults who love to sing, directed by Rich Clausen, will be celebrating 21 years together. It should be a great event!
Keep in Touch
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. Stay up to date with what I am up to at the legislature and around our community by following my updates on Facebook at www.facebook.com/repannawills.
Have a great weekend!
Sincerely,
Anna Wills
State Representative, District 57B