Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Beautiful weather, birds returning, Twins Home Opener... Spring is a full go!!
Rep. Lucero and colleague Rep. Kristin Robbins visiting with constituents and partners this week from the I-94 West Corridor Coalition as we continue the push prioritizing and promoting roads and bridges transportation funding for our community!
I-94 UPGRADES
Construction to upgrade the 39-mile stretch of Interstate 94 between Maple Grove and Clearwater will begin shortly and will last three years. Upgrade work will include freeway reconstruction, addition of lanes, improvement of interchanges, addition of ramps, construction of a Dayton Parkway interchange, and rebuilding of bridges.
The first phase of the construction will occur in three separate areas: between Maple Grove and Rogers; between St. Michael and Albertville; and pre-construction of a new interchange at Dayton Parkway. Next year work will begin between Monticello and Clearwater, and all work is scheduled to be complete by the end of the 2021 construction season.
I’m proud to have chief authored / co-authored in the House last legislative term the several bills prioritizing road & bridges transportation which contributed to the funding of these important projects. Residents of our great community will benefit from reduced traffic congestion, enhanced motorist safety, smoother ride, and increased economic development.
MnDOT’s Interstate 94 construction map for work beginning 2019.
COMBATING FRAUD
A recently released report from the non-partisan Legislative Auditor confirmed pervasive fraud within the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) squandering millions upon millions hardworking taxpayer dollars. I’m a proud co-author of HF 2694 introduced this week to ensure program integrity hardworking Minnesota taxpayers expect and deserve!
Five key goals of the bill include:
- Increased consequences for committing fraud: Increased penalties and consequences for committing fraud to send a strong message to fraudsters that the state will not tolerate this criminal behavior.
- Provider controls: Provide better controls on the front end to prevent fraud from occurring in the first place.
- Investigations and prosecutions: Give additional tools to investigators to aid in their investigations, and to prosecutors to ensure fraudsters are brought to justice.
- Eligibility reforms: Eliminate eligibility for those found to have committed fraud, require enhanced eligibility checks from the Department of Human Services, and direct savings from eligibility checks to the Health Care Access Fund.
- Oversight: Make the Office of Inspector General an independent entity as recommended by the legislative auditor.
Senate Republican majority prioritizing no new taxes!
SENATE REPUBLICAN PLAN RELEASED
The Republican Senate majority this week released their budget plan which includes no new taxes! This is in stark contrast to the plans released by Democrat Gov. Walz and the Democrat majority in the House which seek to grow government by 8-percent and demand millions in new tax hikes despite the fact Minnesota already has a $1 billion surplus.
With Spring in the air, Rep. Lucero and colleague Rep. Jeff Backer this week dressed the part in anticipation of the soon to bloom lilacs!
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