Minnesota Senator Eric Lucero banner image

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

 

Today is the third Monday in February, a national holiday to celebrate Presidents’ Day. We live in the greatest Republic the world has ever known and this day is set aside for us to reflect on the founding of our great nation, our core values, and what President George Washington called in his Farewell Address the “beloved Constitution and union, as received from the Founders.” The birthdays of both President George Washington and Abraham Lincoln are in February so today also allows us to reflect on the contributions of these two, remarkable men!

Sen. Lucero and colleague Sen. Carla Nelson at the Capitol dressed for Valentine’s Day Tuesday last week.

Sen. Lucero in his Capitol office signing individual letters welcoming 80 new households who moved into the community in January.

 

SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEES

It’s a Biblical-universal truth unity = strength while division = weakness. Christ himself affirmed, "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand." Ignoring truth, Democrats nevertheless continue promoting wicked policies such as gender confusion, abortion, disarming law-abiding citizens, and more that only leads to further division through ever-growing anger and weakness throughout our state and country.

 

Tuesday last week in the Education Finance Committee, Democrats held a bill hearing on SF 619, chief authored by the Democrat Chair of the committee. SF 619 seeks to perpetuate the manufactured lie of ongoing institutional racism. I’ve included four definitions below I pulled directly from SF 619 which highlight just how poison-filled the Democrat bill is.

 

The below Democrat definition of ethnic studies curriculum from SF 619 seeks to lie to K-12 students that racism is actively pervasive throughout society…that there is a racist boogieman behind every tree. Moreover, the Democrat definition of ethnic includes gender, sexual orientation, and immigration status which have zero precisely zero connection to ethnicity.

 

(e) "Ethnic studies curriculum" means the critical and interdisciplinary study of race, 
ethnicity, and indigeneity with a focus on the experiences and perspectives of People of 
Color within and beyond the United States. Ethnic studies analyzes the ways in which race 
and racism have been and continue to be powerful social, cultural, and political forces, and 
the connection of race to the stratification of other groups, including stratification based on 
gender, class, sexual orientation, gender identity, and legal status. The ethnic studies 
curriculum may be integrated in existing curricular opportunities or provided through 
additional curricular offerings.

 

The below Democrat definition of antiracist from SF 619 seeks to lie to K-12 students that to be opposed to racism requires one to be in favor of Marxist redistribution of private property wealth and resources. There is a big difference between equality and equity and the difference is the reason Democrats deliberately use the term equity and not equality. Equity = equal outcome whereas Equality = equal opportunity.


(f) "Antiracist" means actively working to identify and eliminate racism in all forms so 
that power and resources are redistributed and shared equitably among racial groups.

 

The below Democrat definition of culturally sustaining from SF 619 seeks to lie to K-12 students that non-white people share a common culture and language. There is no such thing as a shared black culture, shared Hispanic culture, shared Asian culture, etc. Being a minority myself, married to a minority, and having traveled to multiple countries throughout the world, I have first-hand experience even within a single African country there are multiple cultures and languages. Zero agenda currently exists within MN schools to erase anybody.


(g) "Culturally sustaining" means integrating content and practices that infuse the culture 
and language of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities who have been and 
continue to be harmed and erased through schooling.

 

The below Democrat definition of institutional racism from SF 619 seeks to lie to K-12 students that institutions across our society are radically racist toward minorities. It is pure poison to pump a mindset into the heads of young people they are victims of their circumstance and products of external forces. Young people are very impressionable compounding the truth perception becomes reality. We already see the impact occurring to young people…skyrocketing rates of depression and suicide. Instead, we need to empower young people by teaching them they are NOT victims…that they indeed are overcomers when faced with challenges in life.


(h) "Institutional racism" means structures, policies, and practices within and across 
institutions that produce outcomes that chronically favor white people and disadvantage 
those who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.

 

If SF 619 weren’t bad enough, Wednesday last week, SF 1311 was heard in the Senate Education Policy Committee. SF 1311 is chief authored the Democrat Chair of that committee and the bill contains the exact same poisonous definitions as SF 619. Democrats are on a rampage to warp the minds of children instilling suspension and anger toward their fellow human beings.

Sen. Lucero speaking with attendees to the business meet-and-greet social Friday last week hosted by Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce so area elected officials to connect with, answer questions, and listen to the feedback from our local business community and job creators.

DEMOCRAT GUN CONTROL

Democrats have not hidden their goal to infringe on our God-given, Second Amendment rights to self-defense. Last week, Democrats introduced anti-American SF 1723. The bill is filled with terrible provisions that will accomplish absolutely zero to stop criminals or make Minnesotans safer. Several provisions from the bill include:

 

  • Universal gun registration and establishment of state firearm database.
  • Requirement of a license and liability insurance to own or carry a firearm.
  • Ban of magazines that exceed a capacity of 10 rounds.

Sen. Lucero participating in a joint town hall in Oak Grove Saturday last week with colleagues Rep. Paul Novotny, Rep. Peggy Scott, and Sen. Cal Bahr of which several dozen constituents showed up. Listening to the feedback of the people we serve helps us best represent the values and priorities of our great communities!

BILLS INTRODUCED

Some of the bills I introduced last week include:

  • SF1553 American Indian education aid school district authorization to carry forward from one school year to the next under certain circumstances
  • SF1837 Budget surplus required to be returned to taxpayers
  • SF1838 Amendment to the Minnesota Constitution proposal to require a supermajority vote of the legislature for passing law that increase state revenues

Sen. Lucero participating in the MN Realtors panel discussion Monday last week. Sen. Lucero is a licensed real estate agent, licensed general contractor, and the Republican Lead on the Senate Housing Committee.

 

HOUSING

Monday last week I was invited to participate on a legislative panel to discuss housing issues in MN. Among the items I highlighted was the reality the cost of new housing construction in MN is dramatically more expensive than surrounding, comparable states. The median price of a new construction, single-family home is approximately $100k more expensive in MN than in IL and ND, approximately $120k more expensive in MN than in WI, approximately $125k more expensive in MN than in IA, and approximately $175k more expensive in MN than in SD!

 

Weather cannot be blamed for the cost difference because weather in MN is comparable to ND, SD, IA, WI, and IL. The cost of building materials cannot be blamed because the cost of building materials is up nationwide and certainly comparable for the states in the upper Midwest. So, the question is NOT: Why is housing expensive in MN? Instead, the question that needs to be answered is: Why is housing $100k - $175k MORE expensive in MN than in immediately surrounding states?

 

We absolutely must determine the root cause of expensive housing in MN rather than spend hundreds-of-millions of taxpayer dollars taking stabs in the dark.

Sen. Lucero discussing the important issues Wednesday last week on a roundtable television program.

Sen. Lucero is a former truck driver himself and visited with truck driver / business owners Elk River constituent Trent and Albertville constituent Jason Thursday last week at his Capitol office.

Sen. Lucero visiting with numerous constituents at his Capitol office Wednesday last week including Hanover constituent Carl to discuss the dairy industry, STMA high school students from Knights Academy, employees with Dahlheimer Beverage distributors, and Elk River constituent Janell to discuss nursing issues.

 

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

 

Capitol Address

95 University Avenue W.
Minnesota Senate Bldg. 2413
St. Paul, MN 55155

651-296-5655