Dear Friends and Neighbors,

 

Last week was the conclusion of week 11 of the 2023 legislative session. With approximately nine weeks remaining in the session, Gov. Walz and legislative Democrats continue to demanding explosive growth of state government spending the tax surplus on more Socialist programs.

 

Gov. Walz is pushing to add 2,349 new employees to the state government payroll funded by taxpayers through the expansion of existing state agencies and the creation of new government bureaucracies. Progressive Democrats growing Socialist government is like a religion to them…worshiping at the feet of big, anti-transparent, unaccountable government.

Sen. Lucero celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day last week at the MN Capitol!

 

TAX CUTS BEFORE MORE BORROWING

State government has over-collected from hardworking Minnesota taxpayers resulting in a surplus exceeding $17 billion. In this time of high inflation and skyrocketing costs, Republicans have heard the voices of Minnesotans and are fighting to bring relief through deep tax cuts. The 34 Senate Democrats with their 1-seat majority have arrogantly ignored the 33 Senate Republicans all session, and by extension the 49% of Minnesota who voted against Senate Democrats.

 

Senate Democrats have rejected well over 150 reasonable, common-sense Republican-authored amendments on the Senate Floor because most legislation needs a mere simple majority to pass. A super majority is needed however to increase the state's debt level. This means Democrats require Republican votes to achieve the super majority of votes needed to pass a bonding bill.

 

Senate Republicans have made it very clear from the beginning of session the state budget surplus must be used to enact tax cuts before increasing the state’s debt by passing a bonding bill. Rather than do what is right by first cutting taxes for hardworking Minnesotans, last week Democrats sought to pass a bonding bill ignoring tax cuts. Needless to say, the Democrat bill was defeated because it failed to garner a single Republican vote. I voted NO to the bonding bill because the people of our community want tax cuts first before increasing the state’s debt.

 

Rather than work with Republicans in good faith to reach a compromise, the Democrat Chair of the Senate Capital Investment Committee, Sandy Pappas, has been attempting to bully Republicans, including me, into supporting her bonding bill. Chair Pappas’ office even went behind our backs and called local officials to whine Republicans weren’t doing her bidding. This unprecedented behavior by Democrats insults our entire community.

 

After the bonding bill vote failed on the Senate Floor, Democrats came unhinged and launched retribution against residents of Republican districts by removing our critical projects from a scheduled hearing at the last minute. The Chair Pappas even acknowledged it was payback. Democrats have turned the Minnesota Senate into pay-to-play.

 

I will not be bullied by abusive Democrats but instead will continue standing strong that our top priority must be providing relief to the working people of our great state.

Sen. Lucero visiting with multiple constituents last week at the MN Capitol including Jamie and Jessica from Rockford Township, Brenda from Elk River, Corey from Albertville, and Heidi from Saint Michael.

Sen Lucero and Rep. Hudson visiting with a group of home school students last week at the MN Capitol.

 

SOCIALIZING SCHOOL LUNCHES

Last week Senate Democrats continued their spending spree of the budget surplus by passing a bill with a $400M price tag that will fund free breakfasts and lunches for every student in the state. I voted NO to the bill for two primary reasons.

 

First, schools in our area are severely challenged for school funding for students in the classroom. The school lunch appropriation is very strict and cannot be used for other purposes. The portion of the $400M cost our schools will receive would have been better utilized more effectively in other areas of needs by our schools than free lunches for children who don’t need them.

 

Second, our community overwhelming rejects Socialism. Our community strongly believes in individual liberty/responsibility. It is the parents’ responsibility to feed their own children, not taxpayers.

Sen. Lucero with colleagues Sen. Cal Bahr, Rep. Harry Niska, and Rep. Peggy Scott meeting members of the hardworking staff from the St. Francis School District Saturday morning participating in a listening session learning about their priorities and perspectives.

 

SOUTH WEST LIGHT RAIL

Last week the Legislative Auditor released a report titled: "Southwest Light Rail Transit Construction: Metropolitan Council Decision Making" finding the Metropolitan Council grossly mismanaged the Southwest LRT project. Many have long suspected the Metropolitan Council cannot be a trusted steward of public funds. This latest report only confirmed the suspicion. The report also found the Met Council was not fully cooperative with the Audit process and not forthcoming with either the legislature or the public.

 

Several key findings from the audit report include:

 

· “The Metropolitan Council obligated itself to spend more money on Southwest LRT than the funds committed to the project.”

· “The Council did not hold its civil construction contractor accountable for failures to provide an acceptable project schedule.”

· “The Council has also not been fully transparent about the project’s delays and cost increases.”

 

The Metropolitan Council knew SWLRT would have substantial cost overruns, ignored warnings, and defiantly moved the project forward regardless. The SWLRT project is already 38% over budget, years behind schedule, and has zero proposal how to pay for the remaining $384 million estimated cost.

 

The corruption and efforts to mislead the public and the Legislature run so deep at the Metropolitan Council that it must be disband.

 

The full Legislative Audit report can be found at the following link here.

Sen. Lucero visiting with college students Elk River constituent Manalia and Nowthen constituent McKenzie last week to discuss the importance of higher education.

 

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