ST. PAUL, MN –  Republican Senate Housing Committee Lead Eric Lucero (St. Michael) released the following statement responding to the Democrats massive housing spending bill:

“As a licensed real estate agent, licensed general contractor, and Republican lead on the Senate Housing Committee, I have a deep passion toward achieving a healthy balance of all housing options. The cost of housing and new construction in Minnesota is dramatically more expensive than all surrounding states. Weather and cost of building materials cannot be blamed for the cost difference because weather and the cost of building materials is comparable in surrounding states. Unfortunately, the Democrat majority has put little effort into determining the root cause of expensive housing in MN and even less effort into increasing supply of housing new construction. It is effectively illegal to build affordable housing in Minnesota due to government mandates on new construction. The only way to achieve more housing supply is to remove government barriers and over-regulation and getting government out of the way is among the priorities Republicans are fight for.”