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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Eric Lucero (R)

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Before the Break

Monday, April 4, 2022

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

This coming Friday marks the end of committee work before both the House and Senate adjourn for the Easter/Passover break beginning Saturday April 9 and returning Tuesday April 19.

This coming Sunday marks celebration of the Triumphal Entry, also referred to as Palm Sunday. Scripture records for us as Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a colt fulfilling prophesy, some of the Pharisees implored Christ to stop the multitudes from calling him King who came in the name of the Lord. Jesus’ rebuttal to the Pharisees is recorded for us in Luke 19:40, “And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

I’ve had the privilege of twice traveling to Israel. When visiting Jerusalem, we followed the same path Christ rode into the city. I took the opportunity to collect as souvenirs several stones that were along the side of the road. The handful of stones I gathered have become conversation starters because when people ask I explain “these are the stones that didn’t cry out!”

Lucero

Rep. Lucero at the Capitol Wednesday visiting with a group of 'Church Ambassador Pastors' who spend time each session visiting with legislators to engage in the most powerful weapon we have in the spiritual battle for truth, prayer! "I’ve always enjoyed our discussions over the years and today's conversation included a little eschatology," said Rep. Lucero.

CALIFORNIA GAS PRICES

House Democrats last week conducted a hearing for a bill (HF 2083) that would increase already soaring gas prices even more and worsen supply-chain issues by forcing California fuel regulations on Minnesotans.

HF 2083 is the latest in MN Democrats looking to import failing ideas from their California Democrat friends forcing more hardship onto already struggling Minnesotans. The Democrat agenda is to make the cost of owning and operating a gasoline automobile as punitive as possible so people will voluntarily exchange their car keys for alternatives such as light rail trains, busses, electric vehicles with large batteries containing metals mined in China and Africa via child slave labor.

HF 2083 is part of the Democrat plan to transform society to the Progressive world view using coercion and the false narrative of human-caused climate change as the impetus. This is the reason Democrats on the national and state level are doing little to zero while hardworking people continue to get crushed by soaring prices at the pump.

Research indicates the California Fuel Standards proposal would cause the price of gasoline and diesel fuel to increase by 20 cents per gallon in the near term and up to 54 cents per gallon by 2035. The California mandate would force the average Minnesota household to spend an additional $210 to $570 per year, every single year at the pump.

These cost increases will harm rural families, single-parent households, and new arrivals to Minnesota the most because they already spend a higher portion of their budgets on energy costs. HF 2083 would also be highly damaging to farmers at a time they already are working against tight margins and rising costs of inputs.

Meanwhile, the Walz administration released a report on the Clean Fuels Standard, which indicated that the Walz administration may attempt to use rulemaking to sidestep legislative process with this proposal, just as they did in forcing the California Car regulations on our state.

Lucero

INFLATION

A recent report from Bloomberg economists estimated the average American family will pay $5,200 more this year due to the resulting inflation under the failed policies of President Biden and fellow Democrats. Moreover, the latest report from the federal reserve showed a 6.4% jump in February for inflation compared to a year ago. This marks the largest rise since 1982!

One passage in the Bloomberg article reads:

"Food and energy costs, which includes gasoline and home heating, account for $2,200 of 2022's inflation, the economists said. That's poised to hit low-income Americans the hardest. Such households have the least savings to cushion against rising prices, and wage growth is expected to slow through the year as more people return to the job hunt. Even if the cohort's average wages climb a healthy 10% in 2022, food and energy inflation could fully offset their pay growth, the Bloomberg economists said."

The Biden-Walz inflation underscores how disastrous it will be for Minnesota to adopt the radical, California fuel standard mandates Gov. Walz is pushing hard for.

Lucero

Rep. Lucero at the Capitol Thursday meeting with Saint Michael City Administrator Steve Bot. Rep. Lucero is the chief author of HF 2932 to upgrade Saint Michael’s wastewater infrastructure.

SALVAGE TITLE

I began buying and selling used cars when I was around 17 years-old, including vehicles with salvage titles. Since that time, I’ve probably owned more than two dozen salvage vehicles and my wife and I presently own and drive three salvage title vehicles.

Back in 2018, a bill was introduced seeking to make changes to Minnesota’s salvage title statute, but based on my extensive experience in this area, it quickly became evident those supporting the bill failed to recognize the complexity of the waters they had waded into. At the time, the bill would absolutely NOT accomplish what supporters claimed but instead would do precisely the opposite. This is the reason I worked hard in 2018 to kill that bill but continue the conversations.

Fast forward to last year 2021. I worked to pass legislation that formed a workgroup to draft legislation that would actually achieve something I’ve long sought: increase transparency and knowledge of salvage vehicles. Not all salvage titles are equal and there is a lot of risk purchasing a salvage vehicle. Thus, empowering people with greater visibility into a vehicle’s salvage history was my goal.

HF 3296 is the result of the workgroup. Salvage title legislation is not sexy but I am proud to co-author because HF 3296 achieves my objective of greater transparency on salvage motor vehicle titles. HF 3296 will prevent older and cheaper damaged cars from going through a sale with a clean title and auto dealers will be required to disclose known past damage to potential buyers. In addition to disclosure requirements, the bill treats in-state and out-of-state vehicles consistently, including commercial vehicles and motorcycles. HF 3296 will be on the House Floor today and is expected to pass.

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