DAN ORZECHOWSKI
Staff Writer
Are you stuck on the fence when it comes to voting? If so, here’s where presidential nominees Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump stand on some issues that have a significant impact on college students.
College Affordability
In the third presidential debate, Clinton said she believes that “we have to have an education system that starts with preschool and goes through college.” On her website, Clinton explains that under her plan, in-state students attending public universities who come from families who make less than $85,000 a year will receive free tuition. By 2021, $125,000 would become the new income limit. She also mentions students will be given options to refinance their loans to current federal rates and lower their interest rates. Community colleges will also become tuition free.
Trump has pledged throughout his campaign to lower the pressure from college debt. However, Trump’s website doesn’t touch upon college affordability, but instead focuses on a K-12 education system.
Jobs
Trump intends to boost GDP growth, which will then create the 25 million jobs he has promised. He has also proposed to renegotiate NAFTA, which falls under his “America First” policy. Finally, according to Trump, becoming a self-reliant energy nation will also produce jobs.
In contrast, Clinton will make major investments into infrastructure and establish America as a “clean energy superpower.” According to their websites, both candidates oppose the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal.
Energy and the Environment
By the end of Clinton’s first term, she expects that half a billion solar panels will be installed to generate power for every household. Clinton is pushing to reduce energy waste and oil consumption by using cleaner fuels and more efficient vehicles. She also intends to establish an Environmental and Climate Justice Task Force to enforce environmental laws.
Trump hasn’t said much in regards to the environment. He does, however, want to utilize America’s natural gas, oil and shale reserves for primary energy sources.
LGBTQ+ Equality
Although saying he would “do everything in my power to protect LGBTQ citizens” at the Republican National Convention, Trump does not support marriage equality. If elected president, Trump would look to appoint Supreme Court justices to reverse the current laws.
Clinton will put an end to “conversion therapy” and honor those in the LGBTQ+ community who are enlisted in the armed services. Her website explains a push for full federal equality.
Social Justice and Racial Inequality
Clinton has announced to reform our country’s criminal justice system. Sentencing laws will be revised and new guidelines will be issued to police on how to properly deal with force. She has pledged $1 billion to research safer police trainings.
In an interview with The Washington Post, Trump said he plans to create “economic zones and incentives for companies to come to inner cities to lift the spirit in black communities.”