Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I hope you had a great weekend! We’ve reached the midpoint of February, which means only six weeks until the April showers that bring May flowers!
The Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation, National Strategic Center last week released a report highlighting religious liberty legislation chief authored by Rep. Eric Lucero.
40-YEAR SUPER SIZE
Food, energy, housing, and transportation continue massive price increases as a direct result of destructive government spending and mandates. The U.S. Labor Department last week released a report revealing inflation rose at the fastest rate in 40 years. Even worse for us in Minnesota, the inflation increase in January was the highest rate ever recorded in the Twin Cities since the Bureau of Labor Statistics began more frequently reporting prices.
The law of supply and demand dictates as supply increases, value decreases. As more dollars continue to be printed out of thin air and borrowed from other countries the value of the more plentiful dollars in circulation becomes less. Because each individual dollar has a reduced value, it takes more of the lesser-valued dollars to purchase the same product or service (e.g., higher prices). Despite this fact, Democrats continue their reckless tax-and-spend demands.
The anti-business policies of Gov. Walz and Pres. Biden compound the inflation crisis inflicting even more hardship on hardworking Minnesotans. This is the among the reasons I’m fighting to give the budget surplus back in the form of massive tax cuts and also working to stop more wasteful government spending.
BUSINESS TAX INCREASES
Gov. Walz’s “Great Minnesota Shutdown” slamming closed the doors of businesses forced good people out of work and onto the unemployment rolls. The record-setting unemployment claims depleted Minnesota’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund which is funded by businesses.
The very same small businesses which struggled to survive Gov. Walz’s shutdown mandates now face a 15% or more payroll tax hike in a month from now on March 15 to replenish the unemployment insurance fund. With price increases rising to 40-year highs, supply chain issues, workforce challenges, and more, it’s critically important we use a portion of the record-setting $7.7 billion surplus to repay the UI trust fund therein sparing our local businesses from suffering a tax increase at a time they can ill-afford another setback.
ANTIFA IN MINNEAPOLIS
Crime continues to rise.
An event organized by left-wing radicals and Antifa last Friday evening February 11th in the Minneapolis Lake Street area resulted in criminals vandalizing businesses and blocking traffic as reported by Alpha News and popular social media site CrimeWatchMpls. Multiple videos show vandals spray painting businesses, blocking traffic with barricades, and throwing rocks at the Minneapolis Police Department’s Fifth Precinct. The criminal occupation spanning a 2-hour period damaged private property and terrorized motorists.
Criminals continue escalating their brazen thuggery as a result of being emboldened by Democrat attacks on police. Law enforcement and protecting the safety of innocent people is the primary purpose of government. I’m among the Republicans on the House Public Safety Committee fighting to prioritize the constitutional function of public safety despite Gov. Walz and Democrats continuing to look the other way.
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