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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Jon Koznick (R)

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Koznick Connection: Legislative Update (July 20, 2018)

Friday, July 20, 2018

Dear Lakeville Neighbors,

I hope you and your family were able to enjoy Pan-O-Prog Days last weekend. It was great fun to see many of you out and about and enjoying the festivities. Every single year, Pan-O-Prog week reminds us all what a privilege it is to live in a community as vibrant and tight-knit as Lakeville. We are truly blessed!

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It was great to receive an award from the Minnesota Street Rod Association, and have so many of their members participate in the Pan-O-Prog Cruise Night!

Last month, the Minnesota Department of Commerce released preliminary rates for the 2019 individual insurance market, revealing that for the second consecutive year, Republican-led reforms have helped reduce or hold flat individual market health insurance rates after years of double-digit increases following the implementation of Obamacare in Minnesota.

The preliminary proposals show average rates dropping between 3% and 12.4% across the five carriers.

This is great news for Minnesotans that purchase insurance on the individual market and is proof-positive that the reforms we have passed over the last two years are working.

Despite this news, our work is not done and I look forward to continuing to push for reforms next session as we look to continue to bring down the cost of health care for Minnesotans and their families.

Looking back

Over the last two terms I'm proud of the work we have accomplished and know that we will continue to work together to keep Minnesota families moving forward, and living better lives.  Some highlights of the historic work…

Taxes- I’m proud of my work on the tax committee to pass the largest tax relief package for Minnesotans in nearly two decades.  We reduced income taxes for many on their social security income, provided an additional $1,200 for families towards their child care expenses, created a new tax credit for student loan payments and removed the automatic inflation on the statewide business property tax levy.

Education- We were able to make both reforms and investments in our classrooms, including a 2% increase on the student funding formula on top of over $25 million for school safety. We also made significant investments in higher education at the U of M and more locally, renovations at Normandale and Inver Hills Community Colleges.

Transportation- Last session, we passed the largest investment in our roads and bridges without raising new taxes or fees in 10 years.  I was a co-author of a bill that will add a lane expansion on the Minnesota River bridge—this project will begin this summer and is beginning two years earlier than previously scheduled.  Dakota County will also realize additional transportation funds from rededicating .25% of the local sales tax that was previously shared with other metro counties, a funding framework that was made possible thanks to a bill I authored.  I also worked with Sen. Dan Hall to save $6 to $12 million a year on Metro Mobility, savings that we used to pay for and expand service in Lakeville.  The “Taxation without Mobilization” bill was included in a broader veto, but I will work to pass this into law next term.  It was a privilege to serve as the Vice Chair of the Transportation and Regional Governance Policy Committee.

Finally, due to state Campaign Finance Board rules, this will be my last Koznick Connection until November. Nevertheless, I still encourage you to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns regarding state government. I can be reached by phone at 651-296-6926 or via email at rep.jon.koznick@house.mn.

Have a great weekend and I look forward and enjoy to continue connecting with you here in Lakeville, this summer and fall,

Jon Koznick
State Representative, Lakeville, 58A