Rep. Eric Lucero (30B) - Legislative Update
Dear Neighbor,
Happy first day of Spring!
Among the activities in Saint Paul this week include Governor Dayton's revised budget and a hearing on my bill to repeal the moratorium preventing new nuclear power facilities in MN.
Democrats support Governor Dayton's EVER-Higher Spending!
Gov. Mark Dayton released his updated budget proposal this week. Tax-and-spend Gov. Dayton, supported by the Democrats, propose to spend nearly all of the $2 billion state surplus, which will raise the Minnesota's next two-year budget to $43 billion. That is an increase of $866 million from Dayton's initial budget proposal just a couple of months ago. Our state budget was $34 billion when Dayton was elected in 2010. Gov. Dayton's revised budget proposal represents a $9 billion (26%) spending increase in just five years!
I oppose Driver’s Licenses for Illegal Immigrants
Unfortunately, a bill has been introduced in the Minnesota State Legislature to grant drivers licenses those who entered the United States illegally, and the bill is expected to be heard in the House Transportation Committee upon which I sit. The reasons I DO NOT SUPPORT the legislation include the following:
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A driver's license is a gateway ID. Granting driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants makes it easier to use the driver's license to obtain other services and other forms of ID and documentation which is a threat to our national security.
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The United States was founded on the Rule-of-Law. Our laws should promote legal immigration – not illegal immigration. Promoting legal immigration is best accomplished by sending the message Minnesota welcomes those who respect our laws and processes to obtain legal residency.
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Blurring the distinction between citizen/legal resident vs. illegal immigrant is not healthy for our society.
Committee Activity Highlights
NUCLEAR MORATORIUM REPEAL
I am the chief author of HF 1400, which seeks to repeal the Minnesota prohibition on new nuclear power plants. The regulatory review process for a new permit takes approximately 15 years, and the current permits expire in just over 15 years for both the Monticello and Prairie Island nuclear power plants. Now is the time repeal the moratorium because I believe all options should be on the table when considering the future of MN energy plans. Removing the moratorium would simply allow utilities to at least consider the option. The hearing for my bill in the Job Growth& Energy Affordability Committee was very successful, and at least one Democrat spoke in favor of my bill.
PREVENT "EMERGENCY" ORDERS FOR GUN CONFISCATION
After Hurricane Katrina, police in Louisiana confiscated the self defense firearms of law abiding citizens. In the Public Safety Committee this week we heard HF 722 which seeks to prevent the same thing from happening in Minnesota during a state of emergency issued by the governor relating to a public disorder or disaster. I voted in favor of the bill.
Other Bill Activity Highlights
AMONG THE BILLS I CO-AUTHORED
Have a good weekend,
Eric Lucero
State Representative
District 30B
Albertville, Hanover, Otsego, Saint Michael, and the Wright County portion of Dayton