Dear Friends and Neighbors,
We pray for the people of Ukraine for strength to save their families, their land, and their lives as they resist and defend themselves against tyranny and the evil Russian invasion. We stand with them in support of freedom!
MIDWEST FREEDOM CONVOY
On the home front, patriots across Minnesota gathered in large crowds waving flags showing support for medical freedom against medical tyranny and vaccine mandates. As one of the leaders in the legislature fighting for informed consent and medical freedom against the abuse of emergency powers, I joined hundreds Friday morning last week in Monticello at an I-94 overpass as the MIDWEST FREEDOM CONVOY of hundreds of semitrucks drove through on their way to Washington, D.C. Truckers across America and Canada are protesting vaccine mandates that create further disruption on the already strained supply chain due to the driver shortage. Similar patriotic rallies of support occurred in Minnesota at I-94 overpasses in Saint Cloud, Maple Grove, Brooklyn Center, and Woodbury.
"Great time joining hundreds of patriots Friday morning in Monticello as the Midwest Freedom Convoy traveling across America passed through," said State Rep. Eric Lucero.
SOUTHWEST LIGHT RAIL
The Southwest Light Rail line has been a boondoggle since before the first shovel of dirt was even turned. Construction costs have nearly tripled from the original approximate $1 billion to now close to $3 billion. Moreover, the project has encountered numerous setbacks and delays while the unelected and unaccountable bureaucrats at the Met Council continue their rubber stamping votes flushing even more hard-earned tax dollars down the drain.
As a former member of the House Transportation Committee, I’ve been highlighting the truth for years Southwest LRT is a terrible idea. I supported the $30 million cut from the project in 2015 and supported the state funding ban in 2017 prohibiting state tax dollars paying for Southwest LRT operating costs.
The silver lining to the assault on taxpayers is things have gotten so bad even Democrats are forced to acknowledge the boondoggle. Last week the House approved a bipartisan bill to audit the Southwest LRT project. I voted YES to the bill and I also supported amendments to both freeze all spending on the project until the audit is complete, as well as to end this disastrous project once and for all. Unfortunately, the House Democrat majority blocked the amendments.
I’m committed to continuing to work for hardworking taxpayers against these immensely wasteful projects. Just last week, it was reported Hennepin County is seeking the legislature to approve $200 million more for the Bottineau Blue Line Project which is the planned LRT line from Minneapolis to Brooklyn Park. Despite the Southwest LRT disaster, Democrats continue their logic-defying commitment to push forward with even more obsolete, 1800s-era technology despite plummeting ridership and increasing likelihood more Minnesota commuters are shifting to working remotely on a permanent basis.
Rep. Lucero is a member of the House Public Safety Committee supporting the 3-part Republican plan to reduce crime, support law enforcement professionals, and hold criminals accountable.
PUBLIC SAFETY
House Republicans unveiled a legislative package to address 2022 public safety priorities across Minnesota. The package focuses on three key areas: crime prevention and accountability for criminals; police recruitment and retention; and holding the criminal justice system accountable.
The primary purpose of government is to protect public safety against those who seek to deprive others of God-given individual liberty. The skyrocketing surge in violent crime our state is experiencing due to Gov. Walz and Democrat failed leadership must be curtailed and the Republican proposal will help accomplish just that.
Rep. Lucero meeting and speaking with great people during the annual Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus Day at the MN Capitol in the ongoing fight to protect and advance our 2nd Amendment rights!
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE
The March 15 deadline is rapidly approaching to pass legislation sparing our state from the injustice of another major tax hike from occurring at a time the state has a nearly $10 billion surplus.
Unfortunately, there is little or no progress to report from the House as Democrats continue to drag their feet on this issue. Democrats still have not come forward with a clean bill to fully replenish our state’s unemployment insurance fund and stop this tax increase from taking effect.
As I noted in last week’s email newsletter, the MN Senate Republican majority already overwhelmingly passed their UI bill a couple of weeks ago on a bipartisan vote. Gov. Walz, House Republicans, Senate Republicans, and Senate Democrats all support full UI relief.
That leaves House Democrats as the true source of the holdup as Democrats continue attempting to leverage this important legislation against other, unrelated, Democrat-partisan goals. Time is short to prevent the tax increase. House Democrats have already done a disservice to hardworking Minnesotans by causing uncertainty on the matter and, now, Democrats are flirting with disaster as the March 15 deadline drawing ever nearer.
STAYING IN TOUCH
Each and every day I’m continuously humbled at the opportunity to represent and fight for the values and priorities of our great community!
Please contact me to share any issues, concerns, or feedback you have to 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