Dear Neighbor,
Greetings from the Capitol, where the 2015 session is underway and I am honored to have been sworn into the House of Representatives.
The first two weeks have been very busy with many meetings and getting acclimated to the Capital complex. But I’m settling in now and have been working hard to do my best in representing the people of District 30B, which includes Albertville, Hanover, St. Michael, Otsego and the Wright County portion of Dayton. I already have introduced two bills as chief author which will benefit our area.
One of them is H.F. 175 which will help narrow the disparity in education funding between schools including Saint Michael-Albertville District 885, Elk River District 728, and Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose District 877.
The disparity between metro vs. rural per-pupil funding has been growing for several decades now as the result of a very long and complicated education funding formula. Achieving greater equity funding will take several years to correct. The winning strategy for us to achieve our goal is a multi-year, persistent effort of making corrections to the funding formula a piece at a time. My bill is the first step in raising per pupil funding for our schools, moving us closer to the state average.
I also am the chief House author of H.F. 201 which will add a third lane to Interstate 94 between State Highway 241 in Saint Michael and County Road 19 in Albertville. State funding has already been approved to conduct the environmental impact study as well as perform the design work for the project. My bill seeks funding for the construction itself.
That stretch of road is a major headache for anyone who lives in our area and travels I-94. Widening that roadway to three lanes each direction will not only be a major relief for people in our area but will also provide economic benefits by allowing us to move goods and services more freely through the region.
Sen. Mary Kiffmeyer, R-Big Lake, is the chief author of both Senate companion bills. She has been working very hard on both these issues as well, and with her help in the Senate I am hopeful we can pass both bills this year.
I will send periodic updates like this to keep you in the loop and provide my thoughts on the issues as things unfold at the Capitol. I am serving on four committees – Education Innovation Policy; Transportation Policy & Finance; Public Safety & Crime Prevention; and Mining & Outdoor Recreation Policy; – and will provide my up-close perspective on developments in these areas.
Please stay in touch and provide me with your input throughout the session. The best way to reach me is by emailing rep.eric.lucero@house.mn by calling (651) 296-1534, or by stopping by and visiting in person. My office is 515 in the State Office Building.
Sincerely,
Eric