• About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
Saturday, January 28, 2023
The Iowa Torch
  • Home
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion
The Iowa Torch
The Iowa Torch
No Result
View All Result
Home Opinion

Ernst: Radical Policies from Coastal Elites Hurt Rural America

Joni Ernst: A move to electric vehicles means no more gasoline or diesel-powered vehicles, which would eliminate the need to blend ethanol and biodiesel.

Joni ErnstbyJoni Ernst
February 19, 2021
in Opinion
Reading Time: 2 mins read
Ernst Expresses Concern About Trump’s Upcoming Senate Impeachment Trial

U.S. Senator Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, has served in the U.S. Senate since 2015.

Just last month, President Biden raised eyebrows when he took executive action to begin transitioning federal government vehicles to electric vehicles. It followed a similar move spearheaded by California Governor Gavin Newsom, who last September, fully embraced the Green New Deal and implemented a move to all-electric vehicles by 2035.

RELATED POSTS

Hendrickson & Williams: To achieve meaningful property tax relief, right size government 

Reynolds: An open letter to Iowans about school choice

Miller-Meeks: Improving American healthcare

For those who don’t fully understand how big the agriculture industry is to Iowa’s economy that may not seem like a big deal—after all, why would Iowans care what folks in D.C. and California are doing?

It’s simple—a move to electric vehicles means no more gasoline or diesel-powered vehicles, which would eliminate the need to blend ethanol and biodiesel. And folks, anyone that knows Iowa knows that this move would deliver a devastating blow to our biofuel producers and farmers who have already had a tough go during COVID-19.

Now, some will say that these decisions by Governor Newsom and President Biden surely can’t have that big of an impact, since they only apply to vehicles in California and vehicles owned by the federal government. But don’t buy that. California is the largest state economy in the U.S. In fact, if it were its own country, it’d be the fifth largest economy in the world—bigger than the United Kingdom. A major move to buy electric would force the hands of others to fall in line behind them. And if the entire United States moves to all-electric vehicles—like the Biden-Harris Administration wants—say goodbye to Iowa-grown biofuel and the livelihoods of the hardworking folks who labor night and day to provide these clean fuel options.

ADVERTISEMENT

It’s not only the move to all-electric vehicles that should have Iowans concerned; it’s the crazy tax breaks that wealthy coastal elites are getting for their electric vehicles. I firmly believe Iowa taxpayers shouldn’t be footing the bill for millionaires to get a discount on luxury cars. That’s why I’ve been working hard to get the electric vehicle tax credit off the books. Between Fiscal Year 2011 – 2017, this tax credit totaled $2.2 billion in lost revenue, so I think we can all agree that the outcome here should be really simple: eliminate this incentive.

Iowa leads the way in ethanol and biodiesel production—which means we literally fuel our nation and the world. There’s really no way around the fact that the radical environmental policies of the far Left will decimate Iowa agriculture. That’s why I will continue to be relentless when it comes to fighting for our state, and right now that means pushing back against the coastal elites who want to eliminate the need for biofuel and fundamentally change our way of life in the Heartland.

When wealthy coastal elites drive policy for rural Americans, Iowans lose.

Tags: biodieselelectric carsethanolIowa AgricultureJoe BidenJoni Ernst
ShareTweetShare
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Iowa Senate Bill Cuts Funding for Cities and Counties that Reduce Law Enforcement Budgets

Next Post

Hendrickson: Can Uncle Sam Afford a $1.9 Trillion Stimulus?

Joni Ernst

Joni Ernst

Joni Ernst has represented Iowa in the U.S. Senate since 2015. A Republican from Red Oak, Ernst served in the Iowa State Senate from 2011 to 2014, and in the Iowa Army National Guard from 1993 to 2015, retiring as a lieutenant colonel.

Related Posts

Bird Says She Will Challenge Tom Miller for Attorney General
State Government

Bird joins lawsuit against Biden Administration’s Parole Action

January 25, 2023
Ernst: $600 now buys you a new tax form.
Opinion

Ernst: $600 now buys you a new tax form.

December 12, 2022
Iowa Democrats lose first in the nation status
Politics

Iowa Democrats lose first in the nation status

December 4, 2022
Ernst Expresses Concern About Trump’s Upcoming Senate Impeachment Trial
Federal Government

Ernst calls on White House to reinstate ban on ‘risky research’

November 28, 2022
roasted turkey on white ceramic plate
Opinion

Ernst: Thanksgiving trimmings have a different meaning this year.

November 22, 2022
Grassley: Big Victories for Rural Healthcare
Federal Government

Grassley says ‘Respect for Marriage Act’ threatens religious institutions

November 17, 2022
Next Post
Hendrickson: Can Uncle Sam Afford a $1.9 Trillion Stimulus?

Hendrickson: Can Uncle Sam Afford a $1.9 Trillion Stimulus?

Hinson Visits All 20 Counties in Iowa's 1st Congressional District

Sign-Up For Our Daily Updates

Get The Iowa Torch right in your inbox!

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

Recommended Articles

Iowa House Panels Advance School Choice Bills

March 3, 2021
Iowa House Panel Advances Protect Life Amendment

Iowa House Panel Advances Protect Life Amendment

January 19, 2021
Hendrickson: Tax Relief Advances In Iowa

Hendrickson: Tax Relief Is Far From Complete In Iowa

July 2, 2021

Popular Stories

  • Reynolds signs bill creating education savings accounts

    Reynolds signs bill creating education savings accounts

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Miller-Meeks: Improving American healthcare

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Local Rap Artist’s Non-Profit Receives Grant to Help At-Risk Youth Graduate

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Iowa House Republicans outline priorities with first 13 bills

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Iowa Senate Passes Governor’s School Choice Bill

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

The Iowa Torch

The Iowa Torch​ is a for-profit, news organization that focuses on political news as it relates to Iowans

Categories

  • Education
  • Federal Government
  • Iowa History
  • Local Government
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Politics
  • State Government
  • Uncategorized
  • Uncategorized

Newsletter

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

© 2022 The Iowa Torch, a publication of 4:15 Communications, LLC.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion

© 2022 The Iowa Torch, a publication of 4:15 Communications, LLC.