Missed the President’s State of the Union address? No problem, the Fight Blog has you covered. Here are the top 7 proposals President Obama spoke about affecting Florida’s working families.
- Immigration – The President cautioned Congress that any attempts to neutralize his Executive Orders will be vetoed. His Executive Orders have given millions of undocumented immigrants a path out of the shadows, all the while holding them accountable.
- Education – 2 proposals – The first proposal will give high school graduates free community college for two years. The second proposal will partner with employers to expand technical “work-based” learning opportunities. Both of these proposals will help more young Americans’ go to college and get ahead. In today’s economy, access to a college education is the surest ticket to the middle class — and the President’s proposals will help more young people get there.
- Internet – Fast Internet is a necessity for economic progress. Unfortunately, too many of America’s communities lack access to high-speed broadband Internet. President Obama spoke of making strategic investments to help more communities get access to fast and affordable broadband. He proposed policies to combat cyber-attacks, identity theft and to protect our children in addition to supporting net-neutrality and strengthening privacy in surveillance.
- Cuba – The President will continue to take steps to restore relations with Cuba including urging Congress to end the embargo and set up an embassy in Havana. “Cuban policies were long past their expiration date,” he said, “if it hadn’t worked for 50 years, it is time to do something new.
- Middle-Class Economics – In his speech, he fleshed out the idea that this country does best when everyone gets their fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules. He proposed tax breaks for the middle class — including one for families earning two salaries and the tripling of the child tax credit — totaling $175 billion over 10 years. The administration aims to pay for those breaks with increases in capital gains taxes, closing the “step up in basis” loophole and fees imposed on big banks, totaling $320 billion over 10 years. Because we don’t mind paying our fair share as long as everyone else does too, he proposed we close loopholes and simplify the tax code.
- Labor Policies – Every worker should be paid a fair wage equal to their efforts. The President proposed protections to help make sure millions of workers are paid a fair wage for a hard day’s work. These protections include Paid Sick Leave, Paid Family Leave, Equal Pay, raising the Minimum Wage, Over-time Pay, and making Childcare more affordable for working parents.
- Climate change – The President stated that although he wasn’t a scientist, he listened to our nations best scientists. Because the Pentagon says it poses immediate risks to our National security, he has moved forward with proposals to limit carbon pollution. American leadership drives international actions and we must lead on this issue.
In the SOTU, the President’s vision is one where every American not only shares in the nation’s prosperity but also contributes to it as well. A country that gives Americans the tools they need to take them as far as their efforts will allow. These Ideas will make a difference in the lives of millions of families. “I believe we are one people, who together can do great things even when the odds are long,” he said. “We are a strong tight knit family who has made it through some very, very hard times.”