Iowa Starting Line has emerged as Iowa’s “political website of record” in many respects — featuring great coverage during the Iowa Caucuses, the 2018 Governor’s race and more. They have a new profile up detailing some of the policy differences between the candidates. For Eddie Mauro — it’s climate change:
“With the pandemic around us 24/7, it can be hard to think of anything else, but I still feel that the most important issue in this race is climate change,” Mauro said. “If we do not act immediately to reduce our carbon footprint, even the most robust health care, education and social benefits policy will be doomed to fail.”
Climate change, Mauro said, “is inextricably intertwined with all of these issues.”
Mauro, a Des Moines businessman, has several climate-focused proposals on his website, including a “Marshall Plan level of investment” to make the U.S. a net-zero carbon emissions country by 2045; passage of the Green New Deal; “tripling” research and development funding for renewable fuels; working with farmers to protect the environment; rejoining the Paris Climate Accord; banning fossil fuel extraction on federal lands; and investing in agricultural infrastructure.
“While I support the Green New Deal,” Mauro said, “I am the only candidate in this race willing to say it does not go far enough. I believe our farmers and rural communities can be the leaders in this fight against climate change. Coupled with decreasing carbon emissions, incentivizing farmers to engage in carbon sequestration through regenerative agriculture could be our silver bullet in the fight against climate change.”
Some candidates have said they believe climate change is a priority — but they aren’t walking the talk when it comes to policy. The establishment favorite in the race has taken no public position on:
- A Green New Deal (Eddie Mauro supports)
- A combination of Cap & Trade / Carbon Fee & Dividend Solutions (Eddie Mauro supports)
- Declaring climate change a national security emergency (Eddie Mauro would on Day #1)
- Taking a “No Fossil Fuel” money pledge (Eddie Mauro has)
- Refusing Corporate PAC Money (Eddie Mauro has, the establishment favorite takes corporate $$ through Leadership PACs)
We have great respect for the League of Conservation Voters, but they have endorsed a candidate who is receiving PAC $$ from Big Utilities, Oil & Gas, Big Pharma and others tied to the established leadership in Washington.
We won’t be able to make big structural progress on confronting climate change by accepting rhetoric and hyperbole as substitutes for sound policy and bold ideas. That’s why Eddie Mauro is running for United States Senate. Proposing big ideas and bold solutions to help make tomorrow better than yesterday for generations to come.