Walter Rubel

Las Cruces Sun-News

LAS CRUCES - Former U.S. President Bill Clinton outlined a five-point plan he said could revive New Mexico's economy during a campaign stop Thursday for his wife, Hillary Clinton, at Picacho Middle School.

Hillary Clinton, who is the front runner in the race for the Democratic nomination for president, has said her husband would serve a major role in working to revive the economy if she is elected. Bill Clinton said Thursday that the federal government had an important part to play in that effort.

Bill Clinton stumps in Las Cruces, crashes coffee shop

He said Hillary's plan would:

Make new investment in infrastructure . "We need to recognize that it's been too long since we've had a major infrastructure program," Clinton said. That means not just roads and bridges, but also public utilities to ensure we don't have another situation such as in Flint, Michigan, where residents have been poisoned by lead in the municipal water supply.

. "We need to recognize that it's been too long since we've had a major infrastructure program," Clinton said. That means not just roads and bridges, but also public utilities to ensure we don't have another situation such as in Flint, Michigan, where residents have been poisoned by lead in the municipal water supply. Make new investment in solar energy . "We rank first or second in the world in every scientific survey in the ability to generate energy from the sun and the wind, and we are nowhere near meeting our capacity," Clinton said. Hillary would set a goal to add a half-billion solar panels in the next four years, which would put 1 million people to work, he said.

. "We rank first or second in the world in every scientific survey in the ability to generate energy from the sun and the wind, and we are nowhere near meeting our capacity," Clinton said. Hillary would set a goal to add a half-billion solar panels in the next four years, which would put 1 million people to work, he said. Bring back manufacturing . Clinton said New Mexico was well positioned to take advantage of new manufacturing jobs because of its location. "Look at New Mexico. I think you have more potential to grow quickly than virtually any other state in America," he said. The big variations in cost for manufacturers are not in labor, Clinton said, but rather energy costs, material costs and transportation costs. "So her argument is really simple. Let's decide what we need here and save those transportation costs and make it in America."

. Clinton said New Mexico was well positioned to take advantage of new manufacturing jobs because of its location. "Look at New Mexico. I think you have more potential to grow quickly than virtually any other state in America," he said. The big variations in cost for manufacturers are not in labor, Clinton said, but rather energy costs, material costs and transportation costs. "So her argument is really simple. Let's decide what we need here and save those transportation costs and make it in America." Banking reform . "Dodd Frank will keep Wall Street from ever wrecking Main Street again," Clinton said of legislation that was passed in 2010. "The problem is too many banks think those rules apply for making small business loans." More needs to be done to free up loans for small businesses, he said.

. "Dodd Frank will keep Wall Street from ever wrecking Main Street again," Clinton said of legislation that was passed in 2010. "The problem is too many banks think those rules apply for making small business loans." More needs to be done to free up loans for small businesses, he said. More investment in science and technology. "The labs could be refocused for the 21st century economy," Clinton said of Sandia and Los Alamos national labs. "We can do this in a way that embraces the whole New Mexico economy. There aren't that many people here. New Mexico State can be involved. Every resident should be involved."

Clinton said the third-largest university in America, behind Ohio State and Michigan, is Central Florida. That is because of an investment by Disney Corp. several years ago in computer simulation, he said.

"There are now 100 computer simulation companies in Orlando," he said. "It's not just Disney World. They are the computer simulation capital of the universe. Why? Because they used their university to maximize their potential to generate opportunities for young people, and no-so young people."

New Mexico could do the same thing he said.

Bill Clinton said Hillary's plan to give more people the opportunity to attend college without being saddled by student loan debt would give students two choices. Those who want to can serve two years with Americorps and one year doing public service, and get $23,500 for college tax free. Those who can't devote three years to service would have the option to pay the loan back over 20 years, with a guarantee that it would never be more than 10 percent of their income. If the full amount is not paid back after 20 years, the remainder will be forgiven.