ST. PAUL – State Rep. Chris Swedzinski, R-Ghent, issued the following statement Tuesday after the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency conducted its first public information session regarding the agency’s intention to adopt the California Cars Standard through the administrative rulemaking process:
“It makes no sense whatsoever for Minnesota to make itself subject to California bureaucrats 1,700 miles away,” said Swedzinski, the lead Republican on the House Climate and Energy Finance and Policy Committee. “This is an effort by the governor to bypass the Legislature and once again push a metro-centric agenda on all of Minnesota. Adopting California’s auto standards would drive up the cost of cars and limit access to the vehicles Minnesotans want, especially trucks and SUVs.
“If the governor wants to encourage people to purchase electric vehicles, a better plan would be to increase demand by supporting policies to reduce consumer prices. It is the wrong approach for our governor to impose his will on Minnesota auto dealers and consumers and you can’t help but wonder what what he and his administration will go after next. Now it’s cars, but next is it semi-trucks, tractors, fishing boats, lawnmowers or snowblowers? This isn’t leadership, it’s catering to metro-based environmentalists at the expense of those of us in Greater Minnesota.”
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