ST. PAUL – Rep. Jeff Dotseth, R-Silver Township, 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.
Dotseth 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.”
Dotseth said this action would provide immediate relief at a time diesel fuel has spiked well over $6 per gallon in Minnesota.
“Minnesotans are already paying more at the pump, but the impact of higher fuel prices is felt in so many other ways,” Dotseth said. “When diesel costs go up, truckers, farmers and businesses face higher expenses, and those costs eventually make their way to consumers through higher prices for the goods and services we rely on every day. The governor can provide immediate relief by allowing red-dyed diesel to be used on Minnesota highways, helping reduce transportation costs for the people and businesses that keep our economy moving. I urge the governor to act now to help ease the burden of rising costs on Minnesota families and businesses.
“When the legislature returns to the Capitol, we also should also repeal the 2023 law that automatically increases Minnesota’s gas tax with inflation. Families are already struggling with affordability, and auto-pilot tax increases only make it harder to make ends meet.”
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