Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton toured a pair of manufacturing plants in Indiana Tuesday, a week ahead of the state’s May 3 primary.
During her tour of Munster Steel in Hammond, Clinton called for "a renaissance in manufacturing" and pledged her commitment to Indiana’s steel industry.
"Steel is crucial to our manufactuting base," Clinton said. "I will not let this vital industry disappear."
Clinton faulted the Republican-controlled Indiana legislature for passing a right-to-work law and repealing the common construction wage, calling the move a "total violation of economics 101."
During her speech, Clinton also touched on layoffs and outsourcing in Indiana manufacturing.
Clinton admonished Carrier Corp. and UTEC for shifting manufacturing operations from Indiana to Mexico earlier this year, costing the state 2,100 jobs. The companies specialize in heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Clinton blamed trade agreements for the plant closures.
The former Secretary of State also discussed China’s trade abuses, like unloading cheap steel on the global market.
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"China and other countries hace been dumping artificially cheap steel in our markets to gain advantage," she said.
If elected, Clinton has pledged to impose consequences if China continues to unload cheap products into the American marketplace.
The Democratic front-runner also announced a plan to invest $10 billion into a Renaissance Tax Credit for areas hit hard by job loss.
"We have to bring back middle class jobs and wages," Clinton said.
In the evening, Clinton will tour the AM General Plant in Mishawaka to lay out her “Make it in America” plan. The $10 billion plan looks to build on Clinton’s work as a New York senator.
“She stood up to China when they tried to put tariffs on New York’s exports,” Clinton’s campaign site reads. “In communities across the state, from Buffalo to Rochester to Albany, Hillary brought together government at every level, workers, and businesses large and small to join and invest in good-paying jobs and production in the state.”
The initiative will be paid for using money from Clinton’s “clawback” proposal which would revoke tax breaks for companies that outsource jobs to China.
Clinton scored a pivotal primary win in New York last week. She currently holds a strong delegate lead over Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. Clinton holds 1,446 pledged delegates, while Sanders holds 1,202.
The two will also face-off in five Tuesday primaries: Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. All told, 462 delegates are on the line Tuesday. In addition to this, 92 pledged delegates will be on the line next week in Indiana.
A watch party will be held at Reverie in River North for Tuesday’s returns. The party will be attended by City Clerk Susana A. Mendoza, state Sen. Heather Steans, Ald. James Cappelman and Ald. Raymond Lopez, among others.
