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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Steve Green (R)

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Legislative Update (10-01-19)

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Neighbor,

Gov. Tim Walz recently announced he intends to bypass the legislative process and require car manufacturers to sell more electric cars in Minnesota starting in 2023.

Walz said he will be instructing the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to begin setting new state standards to mandate electric vehicles. We don’t know yet what the finale rule will look like, but it certainly would increase car costs and could effectively eliminate many of the vehicles Minnesotans own and use today.

It is important to note these rules hold the same authority as laws passed by both bodies and signed by the governor, but are not required to pass through the Legislature. These rules are mainly written and moved through the process by unelected, unaccountable persons out of the public’s view.

This same effort is being pursued by a handful of other states, including California. While it is currently not legal to impose these mandates, California is suing the federal government for the right to do so. Until then, any efforts could waste time and Minnesota taxpayer dollars.

New rulemaking on subjects such as this is an unneeded distraction from real issues we face. Minnesotans are waiting to see if rampant Department of Human Services fraud will be dealt with but, as of now, the House majority has failed to schedule hearings. Minneapolis is experiencing increasing crime. Farmers in Greater Minnesota are dealing with a multitude of issues – not the least of which is over-regulation from the governor’s agencies.

The governor may not wish to tackle these issues head on, but they need to be dealt with.

-Steve