Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The 2019 legislative session is in the history books and I’m looking forward to spending this time with family, friends, and constituents back in our great community! With the conclusion of session, this will be my last regular weekly update except for special occasions or events.
Rep. Lucero with Albertville Fire Chief Eric Bullen, Wright County Sheriff Deringer, and others at the I-94 West Chamber of Commerce luncheon event this week honoring the brave law enforcement officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel who serve our great community and surrounding area!
WHAT PASSED
This was the finance year to fund all agencies of state government for the next two years. Below are several highlights of funding provisions included in the bills that passed:
Public Safety
- $125M increase to nearly $2.5B to fund the courts, corrections, the Department of Public Safety, Guardian ad Litem, etc.
Transportation
- $200M increase to $6.071B to fund roads and bridges transportation, transit, etc.
- End of the failed driver license and vehicle title system known as MNLARS to be replaced with new, third-party, proven system
Higher Education
- $150M increase to fund higher education colleges and universities
- 3% cap of tuition rates rising at MnSCU or the U of M
Taxes
- Tax conformity to align MN tax deductions with Federal deductions
- .25% cut in the second from the bottom income tax tier
K-12 Education
- General formula increased 2% & 2%
- It’s incredibly disappointing, however, zero reforms were made to the per pupil funding formula causing the funding inequity gap between Minneapolis schools and our rural schools to continue to widen
Rep. Lucero joining pro Second Amendment activists at the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus event last week after session concluded to the celebrate the hard work and victories to protect the Constitutional Rights of law-abiding gun owners.
OTHER POSITIVES OF THE SESSION
Along with Gov. Walz, Democrats in the House used their majority to attempt to push through their metro-centric, extremist agenda. Thankfully, the Republican controlled MN Senate stopped most of the terrible ideas! What did not pass is just as important as what did pass. The following very bad ideas were STOPPED:
- No 20 cents/gallon gas tax
- No new gun control
- No felon voting
- No Net Neutrality
- No driver licenses for those here illegally
- Stopped the $68M cuts to nursing homes
- No National Popular Vote (NPV) eroding the Electoral College
- No Planned Parenthood comprehensive sex education
- No ONEcare moving us closer to government takeover of healthcare
- No radical new environmental policies which would have increased energy costs
Rep. Lucero attending Memorial Day ceremonies this week at each the Otsego, Albertville, Saint Michael, and Hanover cemeteries pausing to remember the fallen and honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving our great country in the armed forces in protection of our freedoms.
HIGHLIGHTS
I’m driven to serve in elected office by the goal of standing for truth while fighting for the values and priorities of our great community! To this end, I’m humbled two separate videos of my speaking at the Capitol this session defending truth went viral across social media in recent weeks.
The first video was my answer to a colleague State Representative’s question why gun registration is a bad idea. This video has had well over a half-million views and a copy of the video can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6PXuUZbyEU&feature=youtu.be
The second video was my detailing of a sexually graphic book that Planned Parenthood seeks to expose children as young as elementary age to which would have been permitted by legislation Democrats were pushing. This video has had well over a full one-million views and a copy of the video can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AOMn7YI5fw
Rep. Lucero visiting each the Dayton, Otsego, Saint Michael, Albertville, and Hanover City Councils to share highlights from the recently concluded legislative session.
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