Sen. Lucero and Sen. Gruenhagen Tuesday last week visiting with Jolene Foss, Executive Director of the Wright County Economic Development Partnership.

TOWN HALLS

It continues to be my humble honor representing the values and priorities of our great community! The best part of the role of public servant is meeting with residents. To this end, I’m excited to announce this year’s in-person town halls. State Rep. Paul Novotny, State Rep. Walter Hudson, and I have confirmed five town halls thus far listed below.

Saturday January 21

· Saint Michael Cinema at Noon-1 PM

o Sen. Lucero & Rep. Hudson

o 4300 O'Day Ave NE, St Michael, MN 55376

· Otsego Denny’s at 2-3 PM

o Sen Lucero, Rep. Hudson, and Rep. Novotny

o 9020 Quaday Ave NE, Otsego, MN 55330

Friday January 27

· Hanover City Hall at 6-7 PM

o Sen. Lucero & Rep. Hudson

o 5959 Main Ave NE, Albertville, MN 55301

Saturday January 28

· Albertville City Hall at 11-Noon AM

o Sen. Lucero & Rep. Hudson

o 5959 Main Ave NE, Albertville, MN 55301

· Elk River Public Library at 1-2 PM

o Sen. Lucero & Rep. Novotny

o 13020 Orono Pkwy, Elk River, MN 55330

"Thank you to STMA student Ella and Elk River home school student Anders who both did excellent jobs testifying in a MN Capitol hearing Wednesday," said State Sen. Eric Lucero. "Ella appeared remotely and Anders in person before the Senate Education Finance Committee to voice their perspectives on their educational experiences as state legislators begin discussing and formulating education budget and policy priorities. A video of the students testifying can be viewed at the following link HERE.

EDUCATION

As one who participated in open enrollment, PSEO, CIS, and other programs while in high school, spent ~12-years in higher education obtaining several degrees, and as a former 7-year educator, I have a deep passion for academics and maximizing educational opportunities. I’ve spent my time in public office channeling my passion into working to correct the state’s broken K-12 education funding formula which is negatively impacting our community. Other parts of Minnesota’s education system are broken as well.

Attempting to enact long overdue reforms to benefit children across Minnesota has been incredibly frustrating to put it mildly. Part of the struggle has been school districts of many metro and urban area legislators are on the disproportionate receiving end of the current lopsided funding formula and thus have not been overly motivated to make changes that may impact their status quo. The struggle has been compounded due to these same metro and urban area legislators chairing/controlling the Education Finance and Education Policy Committees nearly my entire time in office.

Another challenge has been the fact the state’s largest teacher’s union, Education Minnesota, is also the most powerful at the Capitol. Many legislators and governors will not dare cross Education Minnesota. As a long-time member of multiple unions myself over the years including the Teamsters Union and IFO public sector employees union, I know first-hand there can be a large disconnect between the rank-and-file members and the policy priorities of the union bosses. I believe this to be true of our fantastic teachers in the classroom sacrificing and working so hard for our children vs. the top echelon union bosses at Education Minnesota.

A local Minnesota think tank, Center of the American Experiment, recently published the results of an analysis they performed of education reform attempts in Minnesota going back several decades. The below graphic chronicles how Education Minnesota has been using their political muscle for the past 30-years working to block reforms that would benefit children in Minnesota.

Our children are suffering in Minnesota’s education system and simply throwing more money at a broken education funding formula is not the answer. Reforms are needed and this is why I continue to be focused on helping our children!

TAX CONFORMITY

Wednesday last week, the MN Senate unanimously voted to approve a tax bill that will provide more than $100 million in tax relief for Minnesotans. Senate Republicans approved this tax conformity last year.

I’m a strong supporter of tax relief to keep more money in the pockets of hard-working families and businesses and out of the coffers of government. The tax conformity bill is certainly a victory for Minnesotans but is only a first step. The state is sitting on a $17 billion projected tax surplus and deep, permanent tax cuts are needed to help Minnesotans afford gas, groceries, and other basics of life.

Senate Republicans offered two amendments that were rejected by the Senate Democrat majority on party-line votes: Fully elimination of the state’s tax on Social Security and complete elimination of the first-tier income tax bracket. I am 100% committed to continuing the fight for deep, permanent tax cuts for all Minnesotans.

Sen. Lucero is a licensed real estate agent, the Republican Minority Lead on the Senate Housing Committee, and will be part of a panel February 13 discussing housing issues impacting Minnesotans.

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,