Families across Northern California are paying more for groceries, rent, utilities, gas, insurance, and childcare — while wages struggle to keep up.

Leaders in Washington need to increase the federal minimum wage - just like we have here in the Golden State. The federal minimum wage has been $7.25 for 20 years. Twenty states still use the federal minimum wage as their base wage. This is appalling and hurts women and families the most, as two-thirds of minimum wage workers across the United States are women.

Here in California, we’re laser-focused on making life more affordable. We are saving $60 billion in electric bill rates with our California rebates, securing funding for the first-time homebuyers program benefitting thousands across the state, securing tax credits/rebates for renters, and expanding subsidized childcare slots by tens of thousands in every corner of the state.  Right now, over half of all students who attend a California community college, CSU, and UC can attend tuition-free, and we’re building thousands of new workforce housing units.

Congress needs to flex its constitutional authority and repeal Donald Trump’s reckless tariff taxes, which are making life more expensive for all of us. On average, due to Trump’s economic policies, the cost of living is up $2,400 per year for the average American.

I’ll fight for an economy that actually works for working people: lowering everyday costs, taking on corporate price gouging, expanding affordable housing, bringing down utility bills, and making childcare and elder care more affordable.

People are working hard. They deserve a fair shot at a stable life.