Under the Democrat-trifecta plan for UBI, some would receive direct payments of at least $500 per month from participating local governments or non-profits, zero strings attached. The proposal, however, would NOT be a tax refund and certainly would NOT be universal. Rather, recipients would need to be at or below 300% of the federal poverty level. Demographic data from our community makes it very clear few in our area would qualify, but many in metro-areas represented by Democrats would indeed qualify. This no accident.

UBI is the Socialist preferred method of wealth redistribution. UBI recipients would be permitted to spend the taxpayer subsidized money on whatever they desire, not just necessities such as food, clothes, healthcare, or housing. Zero controls would exist preventing UBI recipients from spending their monthly payment of “free” magical money on alcohol or drugs.

Another concerning aspect of the Democrat UBI proposal is a provision which would prohibit local governments and non-profits in the program from requiring “any other income, proof of residency, or citizenship, or identifying documentation of any recipient.” In other words, the Democrat-trifecta is explicitly ensuring those who refuse to work, and illegal immigrants, can receive direct monthly payments paid for by hardworking Minnesota taxpayers.

Some may not be aware UBI already exists in Minnesota, and the local governments and non-profits administering current UBI programs are seeking to expand the UBI program statewide. Both Minneapolis and Saint Paul impose massive tax burdens on their residents to fund programs such as their current $500 per month guaranteed income program with no strings attached. State government also chipped in to existing UBI programs by providing taxpayer funding to non-profits that have similar programs. One of these non-profits, Springboard for the Arts, which testified in support of the Democrat UBI bill has a UBI program that pays $500 a month to 75 recipients so recipients can work less hours and pursue their art hobby instead of earning income to pay their own bills. While Springboard for the Arts nonprofit claims they do not use public funds for their UBI program, they do receive taxpayers dollars enabling them to administer such programs and are working with their Democrat-trifecta partners to launder taxpayer dollars through the Legislature into Socialist programs.

The Democrat-trifecta has created a high-tax / high-regulation system driving job creators and economic expansion out of Minnesota while at the same time engineering policies that attract people dependent on government services and/or seeking to leech from government programs with little oversight, to Minnesota. This formula of expelling producers while attracting those dependent on government is a financial disaster in the making. During my 10-years serving our community at the MN Capitol, keeping money in the pockets of those who earned their money through hard work continues to be among my top priorities.

Unclaimed Property

The State of Minnesota is in possession of millions of dollars worth of unclaimed property including dormant bank accounts, safe deposit boxes, unclaimed wages, security deposits, insurance payments and more. Each year, all organizations that do business in Minnesota are required by law to report unclaimed property to the state. State officials estimate approximately 1-in-20 Minnesotans have unclaimed property that in many cases, they are not even aware of.

Last week I sent out letters to 540 constituents in our community who are on a unclaimed property list with the Department of Commerce. Many constituent recipients of my notification letters are owed hundreds to several thousand dollars.

Don’t let the government keep your money! You can check if you have unclaimed property on the Department of Commerce website here and can view a step-by-step guide to claiming your property here. Do not hesitate to reach out to my office if you need help.

Sen. Lucero holding a stack of 540 letters he signed and sent notifying consituents of unclaimed property currently being held by the State of Minnesota.

Property Taxes

Over the last year, one of the top issues I've heard from constituents is skyrocketing property taxes. There are several contributing factors driving up home values but one factor inflating values is housing supply not keeping pace with housing demand. The Law of Supply and Demand dictates price rises when demand exceeds supply. Minnesota has many burdensome regulations making it difficult for home builders to construct new affordable properties. This has resulted in Minnesota having a far higher average price for a new home construction than Minnesota’s neighboring states.

A second contributing factor to increasing property taxes is elevated vacancies in commercial office building properties resulting from businesses downsizing in the Democrat-generated harsh regulatory environment, increased crime in metro areas, and the shift to remote-work policies caused by the Democrat shutdown in 2020. As a result, the property tax burden falls more heavily on residential properties.

In the last week or two you should have received a property valuation notice in the mail from your county. Property owners receive a letter approximately mid-March each year informing of their property’s tax value as determined by the tax assessor two months earlier on January 2. The tax value will be used to calculate property tax owed in the next year (e.g., tax value established January 2, 2024 will be the basis of taxes paid in 2025).

If a property owner disagrees with the tax assessed value, the letter contains instructions to attend the Local Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting or their County Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting to dispute the value. The letter contains the date/time of the meetings. The important thing to remember is the tax value established in the current year is used calculate tax liability in the next year. Below is an example valuation notice from Wright County, along with a breakdown.

Value Notice Breakdown

PIN – Property Identification Number.
Property Class (previous assessment year) – For taxes payable this current year, this is the classification of the property.
Property Class (this assessment year) – For taxes payable next year, this is the classification of the property.
Estimated Market Value – property value as determined by the County Assessor to be what the property would most likely sell for on the open market as of the January 2nd Assessment date.
Green Acres/Rural Preserve/Ag Preserve/Open Space Value Deferred – if you qualify for one of these programs, the deferred value would be indicated here.
Platted Vacant Land Deferral – for land that has recently been platted but not yet improved with a structure or sold. The deferred value is phased-in over time.
Disabled Veterans Exclusion – Qualifying disabled veterans may be eligible for a valuation exclusion on their homestead property.
Homestead Market Value Exclusion – Applies to residential homesteads and to the house, garage, and one acre of land on agricultural homesteads. The exclusion is a maximum of $30,400 at $76,000 of market value, and then decreases by nine percent for value over $76,000. The exclusion phases out for properties valued at $413,800 or more.
Taxable Market Value – this is the value that the property taxes are actually based on, after all reductions, exclusions, limitations, exemptions and deferrals.
New Improvement Value – the amount added to the property's estimated market value due to additions, remodeling, and other changes to the property.
Local Board of Appeal and Equalization – the address and phone number where you may apply for an appeal on the property value. Go to page 2 of this form for more information about the appeal process.
County Board of Appeal and Equalization – if not satisfied with the Local Board of Appeal and Equalization, this is the address and phone number of Wright County for the appeal process. Go to page 2 of this form for more information about the appeal process.
QR Code – When scanned by your mobile device, it will direct you to the County Assessor website.

In Other News

Sen. Lucero visiting with friends and constituents Wednesday last week at the Capitol listening to their voices and perspectives.

Sen. Lucero hand signing 54 cards congratulating parents on the precious newborn additions to their families in February and 85 new resident welcome letters to the families who moved to our great community in February.

Sen. Lucero visiting with Nowthen constituent Kristin Tuesday last week to discuss positive policy in support of the midwifery profession and visiting with Nowthen constituent McKenzie who is a very bright college student studying to become a lawyer!

High school league trap shooting is very popular. Unfortunately, the Democrat-trifecta seeks to ban lead-based ammunition which will make the popular sport cost-prohibitive for many. “I appreciated joining Wright County Commissioners Schoen and Holland Wednesday evening last week speaking to a group of STMA area parents in Albertville as we work to stop bad legislation,” Sen. Lucero said.

Minneapolis Democrats cheer and celebrate "victory" sticking it to ride share companies Uber and Lyft.

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 [email protected] or by phone at 651-296-5655.

Sincerely,

Eric Lucero

State Senator

District 30

Rockford Township, Hanover, Saint Michael, Albertville, Otsego, Elk River, Nowthen, Western Oak Grove