Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Wow, temperatures have certainly turned around and the thaw has begun! As the temperature hovers a few degrees plus/minus freezing point, it’s very easy for melting snow water runoff to re-freeze on the roads, so please be careful and stay safe when driving.
Rep. Lucero meeting with caregivers Tuesday this week from one of REM Minnesota's residential homes in Saint Michael who are working hard to positively impact those less fortunate. Society has an obligation to help those who truly cannot care for themselves. REM Minnesota provides care and service options for people with disabilities to maximize each person's value and unique efforts to live, work, and pursue activities in the community.
FLOOD RELIEF FUNDING
Republicans are proactively proposing additional funding for the Minnesota Disaster Contingency Account, which is currently depleted ahead of what is expected to be major flooding this spring. Setting dollars aside early ensures our communities will have resources they need as quickly as possible.
Thursday this week, the Legislature unanimously approved a bill to help Minnesotans impacted by recent barn roof collapses as a result of heavy snow and ice buildup. Minnesota dairy producers, for example, already under pressure due to low dairy prices in recent years are suffering even further hardship when livestock barn roofs collapse.
Rep. Lucero meeting Saint Michael constituent Amy during Mental Health Day on the Hill Thursday this week. Amy works as a forensic nurse and stressed the importance of increased funding and number of beds dedicated toward assisting those struggling with mental health.
PAID FAMILY LEAVE
In Judiciary Committee this week we heard HF 5 which seeks to create government run, paid family leave. The bill seeks to create a massive, new technology system to be implemented and run by the MN Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). During the bill hearing, the chief author stated her intent is the new system and processes would be modeled after the existing unemployment insurance system and processes.
In addition to the fact the proposal is the latest in a long string of attempts by Democrats this session to further thrust socialism onto hardworking Minnesotans, the several dozen page bill contains MANY, MANY problems. During the bill hearing, I highlighted the history of Minnesota government’s abysmal failures in the technology space such as MNsure and MNLARS, including data breaches, but facts didn’t matter and the Democrat majority strong-armed the bill through committee anyway. I look forward to continuing to ask the tough questions once the bill comes to the House Floor.
Rep. Lucero meeting with Otsego constituent and college student Cailyn Tuesday this week, currently in her first year attending Gustavus Adolphus.
HIGHER EDUCATION
We continue to hear bills in the Higher Education Committee. As a former college instructor myself, I’m strongly hoping the Democrat majority will be willing to work with us Republicans in the minority to craft a great bill aimed at helping students achieve their academic goals! I anticipate we will begin discussing the final assembled bill next week compiled from the individual bills we’ve heard in committee thus far.
Rep. Lucero speaking at the Freedom Club luncheon Monday this week on the topic of cyber security and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) relating to Minnesota's election system.
FRAUD IN CHILDCARE CONFIRMED
The non-partisan Legislative Auditor this week released the long-awaited report confirming pervasive fraud exists within the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) resulting in millions upon millions of hardworking taxpayer dollars being squandered. Moreover, the report revealed a major rift between Department of Human Services Inspector General Carolyn Ham and fraud investigators, as well as the Department of Health Services (DHS) lacking critically necessary internal controls to ensure program integrity.
Fraud and waste in public programs is ABSOLUTELY unacceptable! It's very clear DHS is not and has not done enough to stop fraudulent activity. I’m among the Republicans continuing to fight for reforms to improve program integrity because Minnesotans expect and deserve MUCH better!
Rep. Lucero visiting with Saint Michael constituents Layne and Dan Wednesday this week discussing issues and priorities important to our community.
CAPITOL EVENTS NEXT WEEK
There are multiple events occurring every day at the Capitol of which I’ve included several below. If your schedule permits, I hope to see you next week!
- Tuesday = MN Retail Day at the Capitol
- Wednesday = Veterans Day on the Hill
- Thursday = Transportation Day on the Hill
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