Dear Neighbor,
While the cold air may have finally arrived in Minnesota, we always have a warm place in our hearts for our veterans. Preserving our Republic and our liberties requires eternal vigilance and our veterans exemplify eternal vigilance by selflessly giving so much to us and our nation. Please join me in thanking all veterans and active duty and reserve members as we honor them this Veterans Day weekend. We also thank and honor the families and loved ones of veterans who likewise sacrifice so much as they serve in no less critical support roles. I wish all of you a Happy Veterans Day.
Rep. Lucero meeting four classes of 3rd graders visiting from Hassan Elementary during their recent field trip to the Capitol which included students from Dayton, Otsego, and Saint Michael.
CYBER SECURITY
Cyber security continues to be a hot topic. A recently published article found here highlights how Minnesota continues to be behind the cyber security curve due to multiple state agencies operating archaic computer architectures, outmoded business software, lack of security patches, etc.
At the same time, another recent article found here highlights the continued struggle to find qualified cyber security talent. Several quotes from the article include:
- There’s macro change occurring, driven by the digitalization of everything going to the cloud, and how people buy and do things
- Pay is rising on average by about 5 percent annually, better than most other professions...employers are adding benefits, including work-from-home opportunities to attract and retain good workers
- The highest-demand positions for experienced professionals and their median base pay includes software engineers ($129,470), project managers for applications development ($117,700), network security administrators ($116,897), cloud computing analysts ($98,975), business system analysts ($98,440), front-end web developers ($77,842) and desktop support analysts ($64,200)
As a 2-year degree graduate myself with a decade and a half cyber security career, I'm a strong proponent not only the IT field but also of Minnesota's many 2-year colleges offering 2-year technical degree programs in the high demand, high value, high paying specialized trades such as information technology and cyber security.
Rep. Lucero with Albertville constituent Josh during a recent tour of the Monticello Nuclear Power Plant.
MONTICELLO NUCLEAR POWER PLANT
It was an honor to join several colleague State Reps recently for a tour of Xcel Energy's Monticello Nuclear Power Plant. Our tour guide, Albertville constituent Josh, was extremely knowledgeable explaining many details regarding plant operations.
The Monticello and Prairie Island Nuclear Power Plants combined produce a total 20% of Minnesota's electricity. A stable energy policy is critical for the future vitality of MN and clean, cheap, reliable energy from sources such as nuclear power must continue to be part of that future. As State Representative, I'm fighting hard for common sense energy policy in Minnesota including chief authoring HF 359 seeking to repeal the moratorium currently in place prohibiting the construction of new nuclear power plants in Minnesota. Not only is nuclear power clean, cheap, and reliable, but nuclear power plants are also responsible for creating many highly skilled, VERY well paid jobs!
Rep. Lucero and Sen. Kiffmeyer attending a ribbon cutting event in Saint Michael celebrating the recent successful completion of an addition / kitchen redesign at a Saint Michael Foundation home.
KEY CEREMONY
I recently attended a ribbon cutting for the successful completion of an addition / kitchen redesign at a Saint Michael Foundation home. The remodel project was a cooperative effort among the Builders Association of the Twin Cities (BATC) Foundation, the Saint Michael Foundation, and many other partners. The mission of the Builders Association of the Twin Cities (BATC) Foundation is to work in partnership with others to provide safe, quality, affordable housing for those in need and the mission of the Saint Michael Foundation is to help build life skills and relationships for individuals with developmental delays by providing financial and educational assistance and a great place to live within our community.
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.
Sincerely,
Eric Lucero
State Representative
District 30B
Albertville, Hanover, Otsego, Saint Michael, and the Wright County portion of Dayton