Clinton, Trump on 6 Key Issues Latinos Are Voting On

*Yes, let’s get to the issues. It’s about time, better late than never and all that . . . Climate change, national security, health care, immigration, jobs. VL

By Suzanne Gamboa, NBC News (11 minute read)

WASHINGTON — Voters have had trouble getting clear pictures of Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton’s positions on issues that the next president will have to tackle and that Latinos have ranked as important to them.

Latinos were thrust into the center of this year’s election from the start with Trump’s opening salvo on Mexico and as it closes, Latino turnout is being watched closely for its effect up and down the ballot.

For those still trying to cut through the fog of this year’s campaign rhetoric, here are summaries on where the presidential candidates stand on key issues.

JOBS/ECONOMY

This category that includes job creation, wages, taxes and trade is also an area that ranks high – if not at the top – in interest among Latinos in polling.

Clinton is the optimist of the two. She credits President Barack Obama with recovery from the economic recession left over from the Bush years. She has pledged to push Congress to pass a jobs plan in its first 100 days that would rely on investment in various industries. She has called for a five-year, $275 billion infrastructure investment plan in roads, bridges, airports and other national infrastructure, paid for through business tax reforms.

Clinton also wants to increase taxes on the very wealthy and close loopholes used by them, while allowing middle income families to deduct average child care costs. An independent analysis found her proposals would result in a small increase in after-tax income on low- and middle-income households.

On minimum wage, Clinton supports an increase to $15 an hour and wants to ramp up enforcement on trade agreements.

Trump has painted a bleak economic picture of America’s last 8 years under Obama. Trump has proposed reforming taxes, slashing regulations, rebuilding the coal and steel industries and renegotiating trade deals; he’s made revisions to his economic plans over the campaign.

An independent analysis of his tax plan reports Trump would provide tax cuts at all income levels, but that the biggest benefits would go to those at higher income levels.

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He has proposed expanding the earned income tax credit, creating a wage supplement for the poor and creating dependent care savings accounts. Trump also has proposed a $1 trillion 10-year infrastructure plan that privatizes the infrastructure to help pay for it. That infrastructure investment is also meant to create jobs. A recent study of the plan by Penn Wharton Budget Model raised concerns about the long-term effect of the plan on spending and jobs. READ MORE