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As a college student and someone who is active in my local community, I can see the needs of those around me for affordable and reliable transportation.

I know that many working families don’t have room in their budget for an electric vehicle (EV). Rural areas also don’t have the charging infrastructure to support widespread EV use, and our state’s frigid winters mean batteries are inconsistent at best. Minnesotans depend on having real consumer choice, especially the freedom to choose fuel-powered options.

My work in the community gives me the opportunity to meet the folks who put food on our tables, fuel in our cars, and contribute so much to our state and rural economies. They simply would not be able to do the work they do without reliable vehicles, equipment, and tools.

Sadly, our governor, Gov. Tim Walz, doesn’t seem to care. He’s continuing to move forward with rules that tie Minnesota’s emissions standards for vehicles to California’s – regardless of how unrealistic or unworkable forcing the market toward EVs like this will be. He’s even ignored legislation in the Minnesota Legislature that could fix this issue and provide true consumer choice.

When Gov. Walz ran for vice president, he constantly told voters to “mind their own d*mn business.” I wish he’d take his own advice.

Mind your own business, Gov. Walz, and stop trying to tell us what vehicles we can or can’t buy.

Isaac Blum

Austin, MN