Donald Trump Vows to Slash Funding for Education, EPA In interview at local diner, Trump pledges ‘tremendous cutting’ if elected By Heather Haddon
http://www.wsj.com/articles/donald-trump-vows-to-slash-funding-for-education-epa-1452551107
MANCHESTER, N.H.—Republican front-runner Donald Trump said Monday he would slash funding for the Department of Education and Environmental Protection Agency if he is elected president.
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal and New Hampshire’s WMUR at a local diner here, the businessman said he would do “tremendous cutting” of the federal government. Education policy, he said, should be returned to the states, and he said he would end the Common Core education standards, which conservatives view as federal overreach.
“Education should be local and locally managed,” said Mr. Trump, who also attacked the administration’s environmental policies. “The Environmental Protection Agency is the laughingstock of the world.”
Mr. Trump’s focus on domestic budgetary issues is a new plank in his presidential policy proposals. It is also one likely to appeal in New Hampshire, where voters have long rewarded candidates who promise fiscal restraint and to reduce federal government spending.
Mr. Trump also has been under pressure to specify how he would reduce government spending since releasing a tax plan late last year. Independent analysis of that proposal, which would reduce tax rates for some and remove many from the tax rolls completely, concluded it would balloon the federal deficit.
The venue for his remarks was also relatively new. They were made during a rare appearance at a restaurant after holding a large town-hall meeting in a nearby town.
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The former reality television star greeted Red Arrow Diner patrons, some of whom were wearing Trump T-shirts, praised the food and finished much of a well-cooked hamburger topped with fried macaroni and cheese.
When asked about his tendency to forgo grass-roots campaign appearances, Mr. Trump said his rivals would prefer to convene rallies as well, but can’t draw on the same well of support.
“The reason the people do the small diners and everything is they can’t get anyone to show up, to be honest with you,” Mr. Trump said. “I would much rather do the large arenas because I can talk to more people. I am able to do it, whereas other people can’t.”
Mr. Trump said he expects to win New Hampshire’s Feb. 9 primary, and two polls released Monday showed he remains in the top slot with state voters.
A Wall Street Journal/NBC News/Marist poll Sunday found that he had the support of 30% of likely GOP voters in New Hampshire, followed by Florida Sen. Marco Rubio with 14%, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie with 12% and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz with 10%.
The Trump dominance of the race has befuddled experienced GOP operatives in the state—and his more tested political rivals. Yet, that remains one of his chief appeals to voters.
ENLARGE Barbara Lyman, 80 years old, a retired nurse from West Springfield, Mass., said she isn’t troubled by Mr. Trump’s lack of government experience. “He says what he means,” she said. “He will put good people in place.”
Her son, Patrick Lyman, 58, of Stafford, N.H., said, “I just think he’s going to change things. He might not say things in the most delicate way, but I like that.”
Also on Monday, Mr. Trump picked up the endorsements of two centrist New Hampshire Republicans, Nashua developer Sam Tamposi and Manchester real-estate executive Ben Gamache. Both men are most associated with the establishment wing of the party, and Mr. Gamache was an influential backer of former New York Gov. George Pataki until he dropped out earlier this month.
Although his campaign talked them up, Mr. Trump said he doesn’t give much currency to endorsements. “I’ve watched people get endorsed for years, and the endorsements don’t mean very much,” he said.
Mr. Trump’s longevity in the presidential race has prompted his Republican primary challengers to begin attacking the substance of the businessman’s proposals. In addition to his pledges on education and the EPA, his campaign has released five policy papers on topics such as taxes, immigration and veterans’ affairs. His four-page tax plan would allow poor taxpayers to forgo paying taxes and write “I win” on their returns, while reducing the top tax rate to 25% from 39.6%.
He said his proposal to force illegal immigrants to leave the U.S. would help stimulate the economy by providing jobs for those currently in the U.S. legally. Some economists have argued that Mr. Trump’s proposal to kick out illegal immigrants would drive down gross domestic product in the U.S. by shrinking the pool of cheap labor.
On Monday, a super PAC supporting the candidacy of Ohio Gov. John Kasich found Mr. Trump’s immigration proposals would cost at least $80 billion over five years and as much as $935 billion over two decades. His call to build a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico would cost at least $15 billion, with an annual maintenance cost of $700 million, according to an estimate the PAC received from the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute.
When asked about those estimates, Mr. Trump didn’t directly respond or refute them. Instead, he said his immigration plan would help to save the U.S. money.
Mr. Trump said his candidacy had reverberated in the Republican Party, but said he would only be satisfied with his role if he won the presidency. “I’ve made a huge impact, a big impact on how these races will be run in the future,” Mr. Trump said. “It’s only an unbelievable job if you win.”
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