Dear Neighbor,
It certainly was beautiful over the weekend…I hope you had the opportunity to get outside and enjoy the warm weather!
This coming Friday at the Capitol is known as First Deadline. This means a bill must have receive at least one committee hearing in either the House or the Senate for the bill to remain alive for further consideration during the session. While we are not even halfway through the current two-year budget cycle in which all of state government was fully funded last year through June 30, 2023, the Democrat House majority is nevertheless operating as if this session is a budget finance year. Democrats are pushing bill after bill through multiple committees collectively seeking to spend billions more. The Democrat majority is eyeing the $9.3 billion budget surplus while dominating committee time with new spending bills seeking to grow government.
The $9.3 billion surplus is the direct result of tax-overcollection from hardworking taxpayers. Hardworking families and businesses across Minnesota are being crushed by rapid price increases and struggling to pay for gas, food, housing, and more due to Biden-Walz inflation while government sits flush with mountains of extra cash. In the face of the Democrat’s massive new spending agenda, I’m continuing the fight to give the surplus back to those who paid and to enact deep, permanent, tax cuts.
Rep. Lucero visiting with concerned parents including, Otsego constituent Ashley, attending the viewing of 'WHOSE CHILDREN ARE THEY?' Monday last week at Saint Michael Cinema. The movie is "a groundbreaking and powerfully persuasive documentary featuring brave teachers, empowered parents, and front line experts who pull back the curtain about what is truly happening in our public schools."
CRACKING DOWN ON GROUPS PAYING TO RELEASE CRIMINALS
I’m proud to co-author the Bail Abatement Non-Profit Exclusion (BANE) Act (HF 4252), introduced last week. The BANE Act will crack down on non-profits, like the Minnesota Freedom Fund, from registering in the state of Minnesota for the purposes of providing payments to a person or state court to help criminals pay for bail. As crime continues to skyrocket, the actions of the Minnesota Freedom Fund only further endanger the public by posting bail for criminals, many of whom go on to commit violent offenses after their release.
“With crime skyrocketing and criminals feeling emboldened as a direct result of Democrat efforts to defund the police, the already risky and difficult job of our law enforcement professionals is made even harder when organizations such as the Minnesota Freedom Fund finance the revolving door returning violent criminals to our streets,” said Rep. Eric Lucero. “The purpose of bail is so the accused who’ve been released from jail have an incentive to reappear on their scheduled court date. When bail is paid by third party-strangers with zero strings attached, the Minnesota Freedom Fund is literally giving criminals get-out-of-jail-free cards creating a scenario where zero incentive exists to return to court. Many of those released go on to commit more heinous, violent crimes after their release. Moreover, many of the dollars used to bail out and put criminals back onto Minnesota streets are donated from rich, Hollywood movie stars themselves living in out-of-state gated communities protected by private security. The BANE Act will stop organizations such as the Minnesota Freedom Fund from continuing to support dangerous criminals so we can make Minnesota safer.”
The Minnesota Freedom Fund has a record of making bail payments for criminals who commit other crimes following their release. Crimes committed by these repeat offenders include murder, sexual assault, and assault. One criminal supported by the Minnesota Freedom Fund was an alleged domestic abuser who murdered a man following his release on bail.
Rep. Lucero meeting Otsego constituent Kaylie at the Capitol Monday last week to discuss the importance of disability services.
HOUSE DEMOCRAT INACTION CAUSES TAX INCREASE AMID SURPLUS
House Democrats continued their roadblock by stalling a Republican effort last week to vote on bipartisan Senate legislation that would have prevented a tax increase from taking place despite a historic state surplus.
The issue centers on the state’s unemployment insurance trust fund that was depleted when Gov. Walz forced businesses closed and people out of work. The federal government provided funding to keep Minnesota’s unemployment program afloat and now that debt of more than $1 billion must be repaid.
The consequence of Gov. Tim Walz’s political science decision making to shut businesses down resulted in overloading the unemployment insurance program and draining the funds. Now, the very same job creators in our community hardest hit by Gov. Walz’s forced shutdown are having to endure even more pain and hardship by having the Democrat ‘shutdown-tax’ thrust upon them.
Gov. Walz, House Republicans, Senate Republicans, and most Senate Democrats support passing a clean bill to fully replenish the UI funds. The Senate one month ago approved by a veto-proof majority legislation to do so.
The Democrat House majority continues to downplay the impacts of their inaction on this issue, but real-life reports indicate the tax increases could be significant. One recent article quotes Greater Minnesota employers saying they face tax increases in the tens of thousands of dollars next year. In one reported case, a 130% increase translates to a $21,000 spike.
With a nearly $10 billion government surplus, Democrats still want even more tax increases. At a time the prices of nearly everything continue to skyrocket, the tax increase will result in hardworking Minnesotans paying even more for everything than they already are. Democrats need to stop playing politics and do what is best for all of Minnesota.
Rep. Lucero along with Reps. O’Neill and McDonald recently meeting with members of the Wright Soil & Water Conservation District.
Rep. Lucero at an event last week with constituent, Albertville City Council Member Walter Hudson.
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