Dear Neighbor,
Please continue to pray for those impacted by hurricanes Harvey and Irma as the hard work of rebuilding their communities and lives continues.
Rep. Lucero was named a recipient of the 2017 Housing Leadership Award.
2017 HOUSING LEADERSHIP AWARD
I'm deeply humbled and honored to be a recipient of the 2017 Housing Leadership Award from Housing First Minnesota! Housing First Minnesota is made up of over 1,200 homebuilding, remodeling, and associated industry businesses.
As both a licensed real estate agent and licensed general contractor myself, I strongly believe in advancing the American Dream of home ownership. I will continue to work hard influencing state policy to reduce burdensome government over-regulation chiefly responsible for driving up the cost of home ownership adversely impacting hard working individuals and families.
SUPREME COURT
Friday last week the MN Supreme Court released an order regarding the case between the Legislature and Gov. Dayton. While the order confirmed the governor’s veto of legislative funding, contrary to the impression of many initial media reports, the Supreme Court DID NOT render a decision on the case, nor did the Supreme Court vacate the lower court's ruling that decisively ruled in favor of the Legislature. Rather, the Supreme Court’s order stated while the plain language of the MN Constitution seems to give the governor authority to line-item veto legislative funding, the order also stated “our constitution requires three distinct departments: legislative, executive and judicial”, and also “Constitutional powers may not be used ‘to accomplish an unconstitutional result.’”
Attempting to avoid a legal resolution and instead accomplish a political resolution, the Supreme Court ordered the Legislature and Gov. Dayton into mediation. In my opinion, this is ridiculous! The MN Constitution in no place references a mediator to resolve differences between the branches of government. Moreover, I categorically reject the premise the judicial branch has any authority to order co-equal executive and legislative branches into mediation. I still maintain Gov. Dayton's actions were and are unconstitutional. I have no idea what the immediate future holds regarding this issue. We shall see as the saga continues...
Approximately an inch thick of double-sided printouts of complaint and hardship
testimonies submitted by Minnesotans from across the state.
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) is the division of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety responsible for maintaining the information system database which contains our drivers licenses, vehicle titles, tab renewals, and many other items which impact each and every one of us.
July this year DVS began rolling out MNLARS, the replacement system for the current 30-year-old mainframe database system. The new MNLARS system has been in development for approximately the last eight years and was already tens of millions of dollars over-budget before the roll out even began.
The MNLARS roll out has been fraught with problems negatively impacting tens of thousands of Minnesota residents, deputy registrars, auto dealers, and other businesses all across the state, including delays, busy signals, and non-responsiveness from government.
The House Transportation Finance Committee held a hearing Monday this week to receive an update from the department but also received testimony from the Legislative Auditor, multiple stakeholders, and Minnesota taxpayers describing the hardship they've experienced and continue to experience.
Among my comments in the committee hearing I expressed my extreme concern regarding the inconvenience and hardship government is once again inflicting on hard working Minnesotans. I further stated I cannot help but have flashbacks due to the striking similarity to another technology system roll out by government, MNsure. My colleagues and I are keeping a close eye on DVS as they work to resolve the problems they caused.
Rep. Lucero addressing several hundred attendees at the Crow River Sportsmen's Club Annual Dinner Monday this week.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Mark your calendar for two events this weekend I will be attending and I look forward to seeing you as well!
Otsego Prairie Festival
- Saturday Sept. 16 at Prairie Park near Otsego City Hall beginning 10 AM
- Sen. Kiffmeyer and I are booth #9
St. Albert's Parish Festival
- Sunday Sept. 17 at St. Albert Parish Center, Albertville
Rep. Lucero enjoying the St. Michael Parish Festival last Saturday.
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