VIDEO: 1-on-1 with Trump Economic Adviser & Author of “Trumponomics,” Steve Moore
Saturday, October 27, 2018
GoLocalProv News Team
Former Donald Trump campaign economic adviser Stephen Moore sat down with GoLocalProv.com ahead of the Rhode Island Center for Freedom and Prosperity's annual luncheon on Friday, where he talked to his new book, "Trumponomics," the national economy, and more.
Moore, Chief Economist and Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the Heritage Foundation, spoke to the current state of the U.S. economy -- and whether he sees any signs of slowing down.
"We just got the report this morning that the economy grew 3.5% for the quarter. It shows the Trump boom continues," said Moore. "Two straight quarters of 3.5% to 4% growth -- in Obama's last year the economy only grew 1.6%."
"The biggest problem we have now is we have 7 million more jobs than we have people to fill them, nationally. That's a nice problem to have," said Moore. "One of the things we'd like to see is greater wage gains for middle-class workers -- you hope with a tighter labor market to have workers have more bargaining power so [they] can have increased take-home pay. It's a really strong economy and I'm bullish. I think it could last a couple more years."
"I'm probably the most optimistic economist out there. I think there was a lot of pent-up demand and now we're starting to see the revival," said Moore. "Towns like Providence, Nashville, Denver -- everywhere I go -- you see construction cranes, new skyscrapers being built, new warehouse, apartment buildings. This is the single biggest construction boom in the history of the United States. This could last 3-4 more years."
"What could upset this apple cart? We're running out of workers -- if the business can't get workers here, they might take factories elsewhere overseas, to China, India," said Moore. "I do worry about the housing situation. The housing numbers have been relatively weak, and so I'm worried that housing has such a big impact on the U.S. and local economies."
"People always ask me is this not a Barack Obama impact on the economy? I say yes, it's the impact that he's not the president -- that's why the economy is growing so rapidly," said Moore. "It's silly to say that. One, the economy was actually decelerating when Trump came into office. In Obama's last year, in 2016, the economy grew by 1.6%, which is pathetic. That's barely staying out of the recession. We've taken the economy from 1.6% under Obama to nearly 4% under Trump."
Mike Stenhouse spoke to the decision to bring Moore in as the keynote speaker.
"We're interested in Steve because it's been one of our mantras -- look what's happening with conservative reforms at the federal level and the booming federal economy and it's showing the way for what we should be doing here in Rhode Island," said Mike Stenhouse, CEO for the RI Center for Freedom and Prosperity. "Steve Moore is one of the guys that designed the federal tax cuts, and in fact, it's part of his book, Trumponomics."
Founding Center Chairman Dr. Daniel Harrop was awarded the Middendorf Pillar of Freedom Award for 2018 at the now 2nd annual Ocean State Freedom Banquet.
Related Slideshow: GoLocal Statewide Poll - FULL RESULTS, Conducted by Harvard’s Della Volpe Oct. 2018
Sponsor: GoLocal Prov
Sample: N=502 Rhode Island General Election Voters
Interviewing Period: October 5 – October 9, 2018
Directed by: John Della Volpe, Harvard University, SocialSphere, Inc.
Slideshow: responses are not in the order of the questionnaire
This question is about the total income of YOUR HOUSEHOLD for the PAST 12 MONTHS. Please include your income PLUS the income of all members living in your household (including cohabiting partners and armed forces members living at home).
What particular ethnic group or nationality - such as English, French, Italian, Irish, Latino, Jewish, African American, and so forth - do you consider yourself a part of or feel closest to?
When it comes to voting, do you consider yourself to be affiliated with the Democratic Party, the Republican Party, Moderate, or Unaffiliated with a major party?
In November, there will be a statewide general election for Governor and many other state offices. How likely is it that you will vote in this election? Will you definitely be voting, will you probably be voting, are you 50-50...
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Will ensure that we have high-quality affordable health care.
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Will make government more accountable to the people.
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Is committed to improving education in public schools.
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
If the election for Governor were held today and the candidates were: [ROTATE] Democrat Gina Raimondo, Republican Allan Fung and Independent Joe Trillo, for whom would you vote?
Attorney generals in several states have begun investigating sexual abuse by Roman Catholic clergy, opening investigations and issuing subpoenas for documents.
Do you favor or oppose the Rhode Island Attorney General opening an investigation into the Archdiocese of Providence on issues related to possible sexual abuse of children?
If the election for the U.S. Senate were held today and the candidates were: [ROTATE] Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse and Republican Robert Flanders, for whom would you vote?
Recently, it was announced that state officials approved a fast-track regulatory review of Massachusetts based Partners HealthCare’s proposed takeover of Care New England, Rhode Island’s second-largest hospital system, and operator Women & Infants, Butler and Kent Hospitals. [RANDOMIZED]
Do you believe the quality of care for Rhode Islanders will:
Recently, it was announced that state officials approved a fast-track regulatory review of Massachusetts based Partners HealthCare’s proposed takeover of Care New England, Rhode Island’s second-largest hospital system, and operator Women & Infants, Butler and Kent Hospitals. [RANDOMIZED]
Do you believe the number of jobs available to Rhode Islanders will:
Earlier this year, legislation was filed in the General Assembly that would require that all Rhode Island public schools have a school resource officer on the premises -- if a school has over 1,200 students -- two school resource officers would need to be present.
Do you support or oppose expanding Rhode Island’s free college tuition program at the
Community College of Rhode Island to the state’s two four-year colleges so that the last two
years of tuition at Rhode Island College and URI would be free for those recent high school
graduates, who are in a solid academic standing, and on track to graduate in four years? It is estimated that the cost of the program would be $35 million.
Do you support or oppose an Educational Bill of Rights for students and parents in Rhode Island that includes:
1) The right to be taught by effective teachers.
2) The right not to be taught by teachers who, after due process evaluation, fail to meet standards established by state and local education officials.
3) The right to appropriate academic materials and resources.
4) The right to safe, clean and environmental-friendly school facilities.
5) The right to emotionally supportive schools that do not tolerate harassment, discrimination or abuse.
6) The right to attend a school where funding is based on student need with the goal of providing
access to adequate educational opportunities.
7) The right to a pathway out of a failing school.
8) The right to a fair, accurate and transparent assessment system that measures student
performance and need.
9) The right of parents to current and reliable information about their child’s progress and performance.