Instead of Biden paying off student debt, let’s try this in higher education instead | Opinion

As the election draws closer and record inflation wreaks havoc on the economy, President Joe Biden has dropped behind former President Donald Trump in nearly every battleground state. In a bid to regain ground, Biden’s administration recently unveiled a desperate proposal to wipe out student loan debt for 30 million borrowers — portraying it as a dream come true for young Americans.

Once you peel back the veneer of generosity, this action reeks of a blatant bribe to win the votes of young Americans. As imperative as it is to maintain our status as a leading global force with a proficient, unburdened and dynamic workforce, Biden’s politically driven maneuver lacks foresight. It fails to offer sustainable solutions for students and young professionals, instead burdening diligent taxpayers with an unwarranted bill. Instead, we should redirect focus toward vocational and career training in high-demand sectors, where skilled labor commands lucrative salaries.

It comes down to the numbers. In many cases, it has become a financially unwise decision to get a university degree unless you get a STEM degree. Choose whichever cliché proverb you like, whether it’s “rob Peter to pay Paul” or “teach a man to fish,” but Biden’s action won’t miraculously give these kids a higher-paying job or solve their struggle with inflation. Today, the average university degree costs about $43,000 and has increased 70% over the last 24 years. The only people benefiting from skyrocketing costs are the legions of administrative bureaucrats at colleges and universities.

It’s past time our country redefined “higher education” and reevaluated what it means to ‘live the American Dream.’ Our nation needs more workers ready to roll up their sleeves and do the “dirty jobs” that Mike Rowe describes. We need more blue-collar Americans to help rebuild the nation’s infrastructure and re-establish our energy independence.

Today’s youth should be encouraged to attend technical colleges. Students can get a degree in just two years, compared to four, and come out making the same salary, around $40,000, with some degrees paying nearly double. They’re also half the cost or less of a traditional university and have a hiring rate at about 90%.

The Texas oil and natural gas industry is always looking for hard-working individuals to keep the state the top producer in the nation. The industry makes up about one-third of Texas’ economy and pays billions in taxes and royalties each year, literally fueling our state government. About 1 million Texans work in oil and gas because it pays an average salary of about $140,000 — about 103% higher than other industries.

With ongoing international conflicts and inflation remaining high, global demand for energy remains vital. Texas has played a key role in providing that energy, with record production and employment in 2023.

In 2019, the U.S. became a net exporter of energy for the first time in 67 years, surpassing Saudi Arabia and Russia to become the largest producer of oil and gas in the world. This gave us affordable energy, thousands of new jobs, economic growth, and improved national security. Our country achieved this by simply empowering — instead of attacking — domestic producers.

America needs more skilled workers, not more taxpayer-subsidized bachelor’s degrees. That’s how you grow an economy, and that’s how you build a robust middle class.

Wayne Christian, a Republican, is one of three members of the Texas Railroad Commission, which regulates oil and gas production.