By Ben Nuelle
Senator Joni Ernst says the biggest challenges this economy faces right now are government rules and regulations. Ernst says the specific rule when it comes to government overreach is the Waters of the U.S. rule.
?We have many departments across the federal government that will implement rules and regulations without actually working with stake holders to see what common sense is and what is necessary and what is not necessary. Of course the example I like to use is the WOTUS rule. I have been pushing hard against the EPA on this particular rule,? Ernst said. ?They did not involve those stakeholders as they should have and the rule imposes so many unnecessary regulations.?
Ernst says this particular addresses now what is considered dry land.
?Is now being considered a Waters of the U.S. and there would have to be a federal permitting processes which inhibits growth all across Iowa. I really think we are getting to the point of what is a regulation nation. We need to step back from that and see what works and what doesn?t work. Let?s allow our business owners to expand and grow jobs across the U.S. and I think that is what is hurting our economy, rules and regulations,? Ernst said.
Also with the RFS standard set to come out soon, Ernst says she hopes there will be a better number from the EPA but is uncertain.
?Those of us rural legislators obviously Senator Grassley and I have been working very hard on this issue but we haven?t seen them take the levels back to the original congressional intent. I would love to see that happen but again since we are not hearing from the EPA it leaves me to be very skeptical,? Ernst said.
