RELEASE: Transportation Chair Koznick Issues Statement Regarding Federal CDL Audit

St. Paul, MN—House GOP Transportation Chair Jon Koznick, R-Lakeville, issued the following statement today regarding reports that a federal review found one-third of commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) in the state were issued invalidly—putting $30.4 million in federal highway funding at risk if Minnesota does not address shortcomings in its CDL program and revoke licenses that never should have been issued. 

“It’s alarming that the Walz Administration has put Minnesotans at risk by issuing commercial driver’s licenses to people who aren’t eligible. It has failed at one of the most basic and core functions of government. Minnesota families expect that people driving the trucks beside them on the highway are qualified, and companies across Minnesota rely on the accuracy of the issuance of CDLs. His administration’s sloppy governance has put Minnesotans and trucking businesses at risk, and now over $30 million in federal highway funding.

“The Walz Administration needs to fix this immediately, revoke any licenses that were issued in error or are currently invalid, and make sure Minnesota is following federal rules. Minnesotans deserve safe roads, and we cannot afford to lose tens of millions in federal highway dollars because of avoidable oversight failures.” 

Chair Koznick expects complete cooperation from the administration as the state works to correct these failures and regain good standing with federal regulators. 

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