Blue Collar Boom

What to Know: Last night, President Trump told Americans, “We are restoring our nation’s manufacturing might, even though predictions were that this could never be done. After losing 60,000 factories under the previous two administrations, America has now gained 12,000 new factories under my Administration.” He also called for vocational education programs in all U.S. high schools.

The TPPF Take: The booming economy is benefitting white collar and blue collar workers alike.

“As a society, we are taught that college is the only path to success,” says TPPF’s Erin Valdez. “However, career and technical education has the potential to offer students pathways into a range of professions that are high-growth and high-wage. That’s what the current blue collar boom is showing us.”

Parents Should Choose

What to Know: President Trump noted, “The next step forward in building an inclusive society is making sure that every young American gets a great education and the opportunity to achieve the American Dream… No parent should be forced to send their child to a failing government school.”

The TPPF Take: Parents should be able to choose the best educational option for their children, no matter where they live.

“God bless Donald Trump for having the courage to stand up for America’s future—our children, too many of whom languish in under-performing schools,” says TPPF’s Kevin Roberts. “The best way to make America great again is to empower American families with educational freedom. Let’s hope that by doing so we end the expensive, institutionalized mediocrity that has beset American education for too long.”

Affordable and Reliable Energy

What to Know: President Trump went on to say, “Thanks to our bold regulatory reduction campaign, the United States has become the number one producer of oil and natural gas in the world, by far.”

The TPPF Take: There’s cause for great optimism for America’s energy future.

“America’s booming energy production means there’s cause for optimism, as President Trump made clear in his powerful State of the Union address,” said TPPF’s Jason Isaac. “Our nation has risen quickly from energy dependence to dominance, and there’s no stopping us now. That’s good news for our economy, our national security, and for our freedom-loving allies around the world.

Making Health Care Affordable

What to Know: President Trump also addressed health care: “A good life for American families also requires the most affordable, innovative, and high-quality healthcare system on earth… We will never let socialism destroy American healthcare!”

The TPPF Take: Americans want health care they can afford and access—not a government takeover of the entire system.

“There’s a better approach than doubling down on government intervention,” says TPPF’s David Balat. “Many of the ideas mentioned in the State of the Union, such as price transparency and flexibility, can provide our rolling wreck of a health care system with a much-needed off-ramp from the Washington-centric approach.”

Justice and Mercy

What to Know: The president spoke of the First Step Act, landmark criminal justice reform. “Our roaring economy has, for the first time ever, given many former prisoners the ability to get a great job and a fresh start. This second chance at life is made possible because we passed landmark justice reform into law.”

The TPPF Take: The Texas Public Policy Foundation is proud to have been a part of the bipartisan effort to restore lives and community, which resulted in the First Step Act.

“Criminal justice reform ensures that as many as 100 million people like me with a criminal record have the opportunity to earn the American Dream,” says TPPF’s John Koufos. “With the opportunities that the First Step Act and future criminal justice legislation can provide, employers can identify job-ready candidates to fill open positions. This is good for all of us.

Safe and Legal Immigration

What to Know: Finally, last night, President Trump added, “My Administration has undertaken an unprecedented effort to secure the southern border of the United States.”

The TPPF Take: Securing the border is the first step of real immigration reform.

“Migrants endure real trauma and hardship on their way to the U.S. border,” says TPPF’s John Hostettler. “That’s often based on the false promises of easy asylum and free entry. Enforcing our laws fairly—and upholding the rule of law—will help to keep America the beacon it has always been to the rest of the world.”