Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Last Sunday many celebrated Palm Sunday, the day Christ rode into Jerusalem presenting himself as the Messiah. It’s known Christ entered Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives so it’s nearly certain Christ entered Jerusalem through the Eastern Gate. I took the picture seen below in 2010 of the Eastern Gate (indicated by the arrow) while I was standing on the Mount of Olives looking across the Kidron Valley. The edge of the Garden of Gethsemane can be seen near the lower right of the picture.
This coming Sunday Christ’s resurrection from the dead overcoming the grave is celebrated and Passover celebration begins Friday in remembrance of the Lord liberating the Israelites from Egyptian slavery.
I wish you, your family, and loved ones a blessed Resurrection Day and Passover. The Legislature is off next week for Easter and Passover break.
Picture of the Eastern Gate in Jerusalem taken by Rep. Lucero in 2010.
SCHOOL SAFETY
Many schools in use today built decades ago were architected with building designs to meet objectives such as ease of access, cost-effectiveness, operational functionality, etc. Historical school building designs did not necessarily include safety and security from external threats.
We heard two bills in the Public Safety Committee this week having to do with improving the physical safety and security of our schools. The bills seek to provide physical security audit grant money allowing school districts to hire outside consultants to perform an evaluation of the school’s facility security and crisis management policies looking for potential areas that can better be protected and provide recommendations how to do so.
Rep. Lucero testifying during bill hearing in the Transportation Finance Committee.
SEPTIC TRUCK EXEMPTION
It’s this time of year again when temporary weight restrictions are placed on select roads across our community and across the state. These temporary weight restrictions prevent trucks from driving on weight restricted roads unless a temporary permit is obtained, typically through the local municipality. Certain types of heavy vehicles are permitted to surpass weight restrictions without first having to obtain a permit such as garbage trucks.
Current law does NOT extend special exemptions to septic pumping trucks to drive on weight restricted roads however, despite the fact a significant portion of Minnesota is serviced by septic systems that must be pumped. When a home or business suffers a septic failure or frozen ground causes sewage to back up into the home or business, current law creates delays in septic pumping trucks from being able to respond to some homes and businesses until after a weight restriction exemption permit can be obtained. Delays responding to emergency situations such as a septic back up can result in health hazards as well as increased damage.
My bill HF 3339 seeks to extend to septic pumping trucks the same weight restriction exemption currently granted to garbage trucks. HF 3339 successfully passed out of the Transportation Policy Committee last week and the Transportation Finance Committee this week.
Rep. Lucero joined by colleague State Rep. Jon Koznick attending an event in the Capitol Rotunda hosted by the MN Council of Latino Affairs.
MN COUNCIL ON LATINO AFFAIRS
Executive Director Henry Jimenez of the MN Council on Latino Affairs invited me to speak at their event held this week in the Capitol Rotunda. My message highlighted the shared values I’m working hard fighting for including pro-family and pro-life, maximizing academic opportunities such as empowerment through choice in education, reducing health care costs and increasing quality through free-market solutions, and fostering a favorable tax and business climate resulting in the creation of well-paying jobs and economic growth.
Rep. Lucero visiting with Saint Michael constituent Qu to discuss epilepsy awareness.
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