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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Eric Lucero (R)

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Town Halls Announced!

Friday, February 3, 2017

Dear Neighbor,

Activities this week included the opportunity to visit and tour the Heat and Frost Insulators apprenticeship training facility. The tour included seeing each stage of the four-year apprenticeship program. As a trade school graduate myself, which propelled my technical career as well as being a former college teacher at a technical school, I'm a strong supporter of the trades, 2-year technical colleges, and apprenticeship programs all which open doors for people to gain valuable skills and have highly successful careers.
 

House Image

Rep. Lucero invited to tour the Heat and Frost Insulators apprenticeship training facility.

 

TOWN HALLS ANNOUNCED

Sen. Mary Kiffmeyer and I will be will be hosting four town halls next weekend. Please stop by to share your thoughts and feedback with us.

  • SAINT MICHAEL
    • Friday February 10th from 6-7 PM
    • Saint Michael Cinema
    • 4300 O’Day Avenue NE, St. Michael, 55376
  • OTSEGO
    • Saturday February 11th from 9-10 AM
    • Denny’s Restaurant
    • 9020 Quaday Avenue NE, Otsego, 55330
  • ALBERTVILLE
    • Saturday February 11th from 11-12 AM
    • Guardian Angels Engel Haus
    • 5101 Kassel Avenue NE, Albertville, 55301
  • HANOVER
    • Saturday February 11th from 1-2 PM
    • Hanover City Hall
    • 11250 5th Street NE, Hanover, 55341

HEALTH INSURANCE DEVELOPMENTS
Several new developments have occurred since the passage of the health insurance premium relief bill last week.

  • A one week enrollment extension was announced. The special enrollment period will take place from February 1-8.
  • Medica will accept new enrollments. Medica announced Tuesday of this week that they had not reached their enrollment cap and will be able to accept new enrollees through February 8th. Medica policies are only available through MNsure this year.
  • APTC vs. 25% Rebate: The premium relief bill does not allow people who receive federal Advanced Premium Tax Credits (APTC) to also receive the 25% premium relief. If a person receives no APTC, they will automatically receive the 25% premium relief.

    Some people between 300-400% of Federal Poverty Guidelines qualify for an APTC, but either receive very little or nothing because of Obamacare's APTC calculation. The result is an individual making $36,180-$48,240 may receive a substantially better benefit with the 25% premium relief.

    If you have already enrolled in a plan and received an APTC that provides less benefit than what you would receive from the 25% rebate, you may cancel that policy and re-enroll without an APTC in order to benefit from the state rebate. This must be done by February 8.

 

FREE TAX PREPARATION SITES NOW OPEN
The Minnesota Department of Revenue announced more than 200 sites across the state are offering free tax assistance during the tax season. There are two programs that are offering these services, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the AARP Tax-Aide program. Both programs have volunteers who are certified by the IRS to prepare basic tax returns in Minnesota.


The AARP Tax-Aide sites offer free tax preparation for all over the age of 50 without any income restrictions. The VITA program is available for those over the age of 60, those with a disability, those who speak limited or no English, or those with annual income less than $54,000.
You can find the site nearest you here or call 651-297-3724. The list of items that you will need to bring when visiting a free tax prep site is available here.


STAYING IN TOUCH
As always please contact me to share any issues, concerns, or feedback you may have that will assist me best represent you. The best way to reach me is by email at rep.eric.lucero@house.mn or by phone at 651-296-1534.
 
Have a great weekend!
 
Sincerely,

Eric Lucero
State Representative
District 30B
Albertville, Hanover, Otsego, Saint Michael, and the Wright County portion of Dayton