Dear Neighbor,
It's been very busy this week with activities at both the Capitol and around our community!
Rep. Lucero visiting Hanover City Council giving a legislative update of activities occurring at the Capitol.
TAX CUTS
As I continue working toward my goal of bring maximum relief to hard working Minnesotans, I chief authored bill HF656 that will allow all Minnesotans to deduct the cost of their health insurance premiums from their Minnesota income taxes. I had a successful bill hearing in the Health and Human Services Reform Committee this week in which my bill passed the committee and was sent to its next stop in the Taxes Committee.
Rep. Lucero explaining his health insurance premium tax deduction bill to members
of the Health and Human Services Reform Committee.
TRANSPORTATION
A fantastic group of Mayors, Council Members, and City Staff from Saint Michael and Albertville, as well as Wright County Sheriff Joe Hagerty came down to the Capitol this week advocating for HF231, a bill I'm chief author of that will reinitialize the Corridors of Commerce program with $400M in new funding over the next two years. As a member of the Transportation Finance Committee and strong advocate for increased roads and bridges transportation funding without raising taxes, I look forward to my bill hearing scheduled for Tuesday, February 21.
Rep Lucero joined at the Capitol by Albertville Mayor Jill Hendrickson, Albertville Council Member Aaron Cocking,
Saint Michael Mayor Kevin Kasel, Wright County Sheriff Joe Hagerty, and City Staff.
PRO-ENERGY
Pro-cheaper energy, pro-jobs bill HF113 which I'm proud to co-author passed off the full House floor this week.
Several years back President Obama took steps to make good on his commitment to bankrupt coal power plants via unilateral executive action mandating never seen before stringent regulatory mandates. Gov. Dayton quickly followed suit to adopt the stringent regulatory mandates in Minnesota by by-passing the MN state legislature. As a consequence, Xcel Energy announced their intent to shut down two of the three coal-fired power generators at the Sherco power plant located in Becker. The shutdowns will occur years ahead of schedule as a result of the Obama/Dayton stringent regulatory mandates.
Fast forwarding to the present, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) recently endorsed shutting down the two coal-fired units while at the same time failing to name a replacement power source. This action has been yet another source of Obama/Dayton creating regulatory uncertainty causing adverse impacts to the energy sector driving energy prices higher into the future for hard working Minnesota families and businesses.
HF 113 that passed the House will assure a replacement plant is authorized to be constructed on the same site in Becker. The companion bill is expected to be taken up by the full Senate in the near future.
TOWN HALLS ANNOUNCED
Sen. Mary Kiffmeyer and I will be will be hosting four town halls between tonight and tomorrow. 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
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