October 28, 2026
ST. PAUL – State Rep. Bernie Perryman, R-St. Cloud, 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.
Perryman 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 Walz 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.”
Perryman said this action would provide immediate relief at a time diesel fuel has spiked well over $6 per gallon in Minnesota.
“When diesel prices rise, the impact reaches every corner of our economy,” Perryman said. “It costs more to get crops to market, deliver groceries and transport the products people use every day. Those costs all get passed along to consumers. Allowing red-dyed diesel to be used on Minnesota highways would help ease some of that pressure, and the governor should act.
“We should also stop automatically increasing the state gas tax based on inflation. That policy was passed by the former trifecta in 2023, and repealing it should be a priority when we return to the Capitol in 2027. Minnesota families and businesses already have enough expenses without the state adding unnecessary burdens.”
