Dear Friends,
Yesterday the Senate passed the tax conformity bill passed by the House last week on a unanimous vote. The Governor is expected to sign the bill sometime early next week, ensuring about $20 million in immediate tax relief for teachers, college students, and homeowners across Minnesota.
Earlier this week, Governor Dayton revealed a portion of his 2016-2017 budget proposal to provide tax credits to families for childcare expenses. The proposal would cost about $215 million over the next four years, and would raise the eligibility cap for current childcare credits from $39,000 to $112,000 for families with one child, and to $124,000 for families with two or more children.
Minnesota has some of the highest childcare care costs in the nation, so it's good to see the Governor putting ideas forward that would help address those rising costs that impact family budgets.
Republicans will continue to work with the Governor and members on either side of the aisle to lower costs for Minnesota families. This is a proposal we will study further as session continues, and I will be sure to keep you informed as this and the rest of the Governor's budget proposals make their way through the process.
LOOKING BACK:
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
On Monday, January 19th, the legislature was on break in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. I wanted to share his inspirational "I Have a Dream Speech." Many of the ideas and ideals Dr. King fought for so many years ago ring true still today. Dr. King fought for equality and freedom for all, and helped change the world through his work.
Click here to watch the speech.
House Republicans List 2015 Priorities
Earlier this month, House GOP leadership introduced the top five bills for 2015. These bills served as a starting point and framed our top priorities as we continue the first month of the legislative session. The bills are aimed at growing better-paying jobs in all parts of the state, improving education, protecting quality of life for our seniors and aging adults, focusing transportation dollars on roads and bridges, and increasing access to affordable health care options.
March for Life
I was proud to stand alongside a bipartisan group of legislators yesterday, January 22nd, at the annual March for Life rally in front of the Capitol. The event was sponsored by Minnesotans Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL). Protecting the lives of the unborn, and all of the most vulnerable among us, is a cause that's dear to my heart. I will continue to vote and stand for life, and support the pro-life cause in our work at the legislature.
MLC Legislative Breakfast
This morning, January 23rd, several of my colleagues and I attended a Legislative Breakfast hosted by the Municipal Legislative Commission (MLC), which is an association of 16 suburban communities, including the district I represent. We heard a presentation about the MLC's vision and priorities for the 2015 legislative session and visited with city officials from our communities. To learn more about the MLC, visit: http://mlcmn.org/
Dakota Valley Learning Center Tour
After the MLC Legislative Breakfast, my colleagues and I headed over to the Dakota Valley Learning Center (DVLC) in Apple Valley. We were given an overview and tour of the brand new facility that houses Adult Basic Education (ABE), Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE), and Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE). These programs were previously housed in two separate leased facilities, and have been integrated in the new facility which officially opened on January 8th. This project was completed at no additional cost to taxpayers and it was exciting to see the great educational experience that is being provided to families in our community.
There will be an open house for the public on Thursday, February 5th, from 6-7:30PM, with a brief program followed by tours of the building. To learn more about the DVLC, visit: http://www.district196.org/District/Departments/Finance/building/
ServeMinnesota Site Visit
Later today, I joined House Education Chair, Jenifer Loon, at the Eden Prairie Education Center to learn more about the Reading Corps. Pre-K and K-3 programs that are run through ServeMinnesota by placing trained tutors in the classrooms to support teachers. As a member of the ServeMinnesota Board, it was helpful for me to see the programs in action so I could better understand how these effective reading intervention programs work. To learn more about ServeMinnesota and Reading Corps., visit: http://www.serveminnesota.org/
LOOKING AHEAD:
Veterans Hiring Tax Credit Bill
My Veterans Hiring Tax Credit bill, House File 10, is set to receive its first hearing in the Veterans Affairs Committee on Monday, January 26th. This is the first stop for the bill in the legislative process, and I will keep you up-to-date as it continues to move through the process to different committees.
Veterans/Military Hiring Fair
Mark your calendars: Hiring Minnesota Heroes, a program by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, is holding a Military Hiring Fair on Thursday, February 12th, at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul. The event will run from 9:30AM-2PM, and is a good chance for military members to connect with employers seeking skilled workers looking to hire veterans.
If you are an employer and wish to participate in the job fair or want to find out how to develop and implement a veteran hiring program for your company or business, please contact Ted Daley at the Minnesota Chamber at ted.daley@mnchamber.com.
If you have comments, questions, or concerns you'd like to share, please email me at rep.anna.wills@house.mn, or call my office at 651-296-4306. My door remains open, and I enjoy hearing from you and getting your feedback.
Have a great weekend,
Anna Wills
State Representative, District 57B