Clinton's Economic Plan: Do The Numbers Add Up?
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Hillary Clinton has slammed presidential rival Donald Trum's economic plan for being a gift to the rich and a slap in the face to working Americans.
During a campaign stop in Michigan Thursday, Clinton continued to unveil her own plan -- which includes raising taxes on the richest one percent.
Again, she went on the attack saying Trump's plan only helps people -- like Trump.
Her campaign also announced Thursday that she would be releasing her 2015 tax returns, something Trump has steadfastly refused to do. Clinton's running mate, Tim Kaine, said he would release his returns for the past ten years.
Political pundits on Thursday said Clinton didn't reveal anything new in her plan but is it realistic?
CBS2's Randy Paige talked to a local economist and they crunched the numbers.
Her plan begins with a plan to create new jobs by investing in the nation's infrastructure -- putting Americans to work by modernizing our roads, tunnels, railways, ports and airports.
"I think that's a good idea," said economist Robert Kleinhenz of Beacon Economics.
Clinton said she planned to invest $287 billion in the economy revitalization plan and Kleinhenz thinks that is a good and smart long term investment.
"It's an opportune time to do it as well , interest rates are low so the federal government would be able to borrow money at very low interest rates," Kleinhenz said.
Clinton also again talked about a plan to make college tuition free for the middle class.
Kleinhelz believes that plan -- to invest in higher education -- would also help redistribute the nation's wealth which is now concentrated in the highest income levels.
Clinton's plan also calls for penalties against corporations who move American jobs overseas with an exit tax.
Kleinhenz believe it would be much more effective to offer corporations rewards as opposed to punishments.
"I much prefer the incentive based approach," he said.
Although critical of the penalty portion of her proposal and a few other other elements, Kleinhenz said Clinton's policies would help lessen the widening gap between the rich and the poor and should be a priority on the part of the nation's long-term economic goals.
