Column: California shouldn’t determine what you drive

Global warming: Myth or reality?

We just survived the 38th coldest winter in Minnesota’s 150-year history. We’re in the middle of the snowiest April in over 20 years.

This spring represents the latest date that the Mississippi River at Lake Pepin has relented to the first barge heading upstream after the winter. You can probably determine where my opinion falls in this debate.

That said, there are many in the Legislature who truly believe global warming is alive and well, and are bound and determined to do something about it.

Why even some from our Twin Cities delegation want an 11-member panel in California to mandate regulations concerning Minnesota’s air quality - and the vehicles we drive.

I’d like to think Minnesotans would be best equipped to make decisions concerning the future of Minnesota’s environment, but the majority in the Minnesota House apparently feels otherwise.

Recently, the House approved legislation that contains funding for policy that could implement automobile emissions standards based on current law in California. Under these guidelines, auto dealers would not be able to trade with nonparticipating states for popular vehicles, and customers would not be able to purchase vehicles from neighboring states and register them in Minnesota.

That might not be a problem for those living in the Twin Cities, but it certainly would be an issue for those who live near North or South Dakota, Iowa, or Wisconsin and like to shop around for a vehicle before making a purchase. If your out-of-state car doesn’t meet the

California emissions guidelines, you wouldn’t be able to legally own it in Minnesota.

Once again, it’s the inner-city lawmakers telling rural Minnesotans how to live.

Further, these standards would jeopardize our choice to own a truck or SUV. California’s regulations also deal with vehicle efficiency, and are written for a state that sells more cars than trucks.

Because Minnesota receives massive snow accumulation on occasion, trucks and SUV’s are almost a necessity in this state. California doesn’t have this problem, but because its 11-member panel wants more cars on the road as opposed to trucks due to better efficiency, Minnesota will likely have to follow a California board’s guidelines if this bill becomes law.

The inner-city lawmakers apparently don’t want you to have the freedom of choice.

I don’t know about you, but I’d like to decide for myself whether or not I want a vehicle that will get me out of a snow bank. I don’t want a California panel telling me that owning an SUV is not the “environmentally friendly” thing to do.

This legislation is supported by environmental extremists, not people who are using good Minnesota common sense. Adopting California’s Clean Car Standards will simply lead to rationing vehicles, controlling the types of cars and trucks that can be bought and sold, and

prohibiting citizens from buying vehicles they shouldn’t be driving - at least according to California.

What’s next? ATV’s? Snowmobiles? Lawnmowers?

I never thought I’d see the day that state government would attempt to regulate the type of car or truck you can drive. Yet, the folks that lead the Legislature are making significant steps in that direction.

Discussing clean air issues is something that Minnesotans should be doing. Serving as the tail that’s wagged around by the California dog is not.

Rep. Steve Drazkowski, R-Wabasha, can be reached at 651) 296-2273 or rep.steve.drazkowski@house.mn.

Tags: opinion, drazkowski