Northlanders Call on Walz to Waive State Fuel Fee for Farmers and Loggers

ST. PAUL – Rep. Natalie Zeleznikar, R-Fredenburg Township, Rep. Roger Skraba, R-Ely, and Rep. Jeff Dotseth, R-Silver Township, released the following statement after Gov. Tim Walz issued an executive order authorizing vehicles transporting agricultural and forest products to exceed regular weight limits by up to 10% on state and local highways.

“After visiting with farmers and loggers, it is clear this executive order may not provide the assistance many of them need,” said Zeleznikar. “It is written for five-axle trucks, while approximately 95% of loggers in our area operate six-axle permitted trucks. That means many of the people this order is supposed to help may not actually see meaningful relief.”

Northland House Republicans are calling on Gov. Walz to take additional action to directly reduce fuel costs for Minnesota’s agricultural and logging industries.

“Instead of creating a one-size-fits-all solution that leaves many of our farmers and loggers behind, we are asking Governor Walz to consider waiving the state fuel fee on dyed fuel for on-road usage for up to 120 days,” said Skraba. “Our farmers and loggers are doing everything they can to get their work completed, but rising fuel costs are putting additional pressure on operations that are already facing tight margins. A temporary waiver would provide direct, immediate relief to the farmers and loggers as they haul unfinished product when facing tight margins. Minnesota should be doing everything possible to help rural industries complete critical agricultural and logging projects without adding unnecessary costs.”

“People in the Northland are working hard to keep these industries moving, and they need relief that actually reaches them,” said Dotseth. “Waiving the fuel fee would be a straightforward way to help lower costs while farmers and loggers finish the work in front of them.”