Plan Highlights

Education

The DLC's American Dream Initiative proposed making college education more affordable .

New, performance-based program that will award states $150 billion over 10 years to reduce tuition and increase graduation rates.

Consolidate existing tax incentives into a single, refundable $3,000 college tuition tax credit to cover 4 years of college, graduate school, and training.

More flexible college aid to help adult students balance work and family.

Math and science initiative to retain our competitive advantage.

Longer school days and school years.

Teach creativity for critical thinking.

Improve pay, reform teacher tenure, and install measures of accountability.

Introduce efficiency audits in schools.

Economics

Pay-as-you-go budgeting (only spending new money when you offset with cuts).

Portable pensions and health insurance that workers can carry from job to job.

Regional healthcare pools and alliances so small businesses can more easily offer coverage.

Require employers to set up 401(k)s for their workers.

Universal healthcare for children.

Environment and Security

Smart energy investments in conservation, renewable, and practical incentives.

Create local counterterrorism forces and an emergency service corps.

Improve the security of identification cards.

Update our food security practices to prevent biological attack.

SOURCE: Democratic Leadership Council, Saving The American Dream

Kathleen Hennrikus/Globe Staff