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Getty Images Democratic White House hopeful Michael Bloomberg wants to spread research dollars to places like Akron, Ohio — rather than funnel more funds to the Harvards and Stanfords.
Places like Akron, Ohio, could be set for a windfall if Michael Bloomberg becomes president. Harvard University? Not so much.
‘I will dramatically increase spending on research and development, by over $100 billion. Rather than sending that money to only a few places that already have massive research budgets, like Harvard and Stanford, we’ll spread it to places like Akron, Ohio, where I was Wednesday.’
The former New York mayor and current Democratic presidential contender says in an op-ed for MarketWatch that he’s seeking to plow an extra $100 billion into research and development — and would skip big-name research universities in favor of smaller cities. The idea, he writes, is to fund what he calls “job factories,” which would generate scientific breakthroughs and employment.
Also read: Trump campaign says it will bar Bloomberg reporters over political-coverage policy
Bloomberg on Wednesday unveiled what he called his “all-in economy” agenda, which among other items calls for raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour and making the federal Earned Income Tax Credit more generous.
The release of Bloomberg’s plan comes with the first nominating contests of the primary season just weeks away. The ex-mayor is currently polling fifth nationally among Democratic candidates, behind former Vice President Joe Biden; Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren; and former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg.
Harvard and Stanford representatives did not immediately reply to requests for comment about Bloomberg’s research proposal.
