Dear Friends and Neighbors,
As I type this the temp outside is nearly 50 degrees and it’s expected to be in the 60s over the weekend and into early next week…a much-welcomed contrast from Snowmageddon less than a week ago! With temps like this, BBQing this weekend with the family sounds like a great idea!!
Rep. Lucero attending a Cyber Security Leadership Breakfast at the Capitol this week with Dr. Faisal Kaleem and Dean of College of Sciences Kyle Swanson from Metropolitan State University and Commissioner Johanna Clyborne.
CYBER SECURITY
On a daily basis, local and national headlines demonstrate the critical need to continue building awareness of cyber security issues. The law is failing to keep up with technology. As a cyber security professional for over 15 years, I continue working on multiple legislative efforts related to cyber security.
As a former instructor at Metropolitan State University having taught Computer Forensics, Computer Security, Voice & Data Communications, and other courses, it was a pleasure catching up with Dr. Faisal Kaleem and Dean of College of Sciences Kyle Swanson from Metro State at the Cyber Security Leadership Breakfast event at the Capitol. One of the items discussed was higher education cyber security initiatives being worked on.
I am co-author of HF 3644, a bill seeking to fund a cyber security center at Metropolitan State University.
Testifiers from Metro State and Israel Defense spoke in favor of the importance to build up Cyber Security programming in Minnesota. The vision is to see Metro State’s St. Paul campus become the cyber-security education hub by partnering with various institutions across Minnesota. The academic programs will serve not only students at Metro State but students across the MN State University System, the University of Minnesota, Independent Colleges and Universities, and also residents of Minnesota at large.
The demand for cyber security specialists continues to grow faster than the jobs can be filled. Cyber security academic programs will help develop, train, and equip workers to better secure our major industries (utilities, large retailers, banks, and defense) and our infrastructure.
Rep. Lucero visiting with Saint Michael constituents Marlene, Marie, and Jim.
PUBLIC SAFETY
In the House Public Safety Committee this week we passed the supplemental budget bill for the State Department of Public Safety, Department of Corrections, Department of Human Services, Supreme Court, District Courts, Guardian Ad Litem Board, and Public Defense Board.
In addition to supplemental spending provisions, the bill also contains several policy provisions including requiring vehicle ignition interlock for repeat DUI offenders in order to reinstate driving privileges, increases penalties for illegal protests that block freeways, the airport, and transit, increases penalties for assaulting medical personnel, enhances penalties for reckless driving while using cellphone, increases the penalty for assaulting a peace officer, prohibits local government officials from disarming peace officers, increases supervision of sexual offenders, and creates mandatory minimums for child pornography possession and dissemination.
TRANSPORTATION
We passed the supplemental budget bill in the House Transportation Finance Committee this week which includes both supplemental appropriations and policy changes. The bill focuses mainly on roads and bridges for fiscal year 2019 with dedications to road construction and local roads. The bill also provides $145 million additional funds to the Corridors of Commerce program.
Rep. Lucero visiting with Otsego constituent Johan at the Capitol.
TAX CONFORMITY
House Republicans continue our commitment to cutting taxes for hard-working Minnesotans. House Republicans will unveil our tax bill soon which will include federal tax conformity. Republicans are focused on Minnesota taxpayers keeping more of their hard-earned money.
Gov. Dayton on the other hand, continues his commitment to raising taxes. Gov. Dayton’s budget plan results in raising taxes on Minnesotans in every income bracket according to an analysis by the MN Department of Revenue hitting households making less than $32,000 per year the hardest. Gov. Dayton also seeks to reinstate more than $1 billion in health care tax increases (also known as the sick tax because those who get sick are those who pay the tax).
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