ST. PAUL – Rep. Paul Anderson, R-Starbuck, is among House Republicans who are urging Gov. Tim Walz to provide immediate diesel fuel tax relief for Minnesota truckers, farmers, loggers and other diesel-dependent businesses.
Anderson is the ranking House Republican on agriculture. He signed a letter asking Walz to follow the federal government’s lead by temporarily allowing red-dyed diesel to be used on Minnesota state highways without penalties, effectively providing relief from the state’s 32.6-cent-per-gallon diesel tax.
The letter points to North Dakota’s similar action and asks the governor to follow suit in Minnesota. It reads, in part: “Each gallon of diesel purchased in Minnesota is taxed at 32.6 cents by the state. Allowing ‘red-dyed’ fuel for on-highway use, even for this limited period of time would be helpful to truckers farmers, loggers and others who depend on diesel fuel to do their work.”
Anderson said this action would provide immediate relief at a time diesel fuel has spiked well over $6 per gallon in Minnesota.
“Minnesotans are already feeling the pain at the pump and those higher fuel costs don’t stop at the gas station,” Anderson said. “Increased diesel costs are passed along to all of us one way or another through higher prices for everyday goods and services. The governor has an opportunity to provide some immediate relief by allowing red-dyed diesel to be used on Minnesota highways, sparing transportation costs for the truckers, farmers and businesses who keep our economy moving.
“I encourage him to take action and give Minnesotans some relief from these rising costs. Once the 2027 legislative session begins, we also should repeal the law passed in 2023 that tied our state gas tax to inflation and has resulted in automatic tax hikes for Minnesota drivers at a time affordability already is an issue in our state.”
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