WHAT WE FACE
Working people are doing everything right and still falling behind as the basic promise that hard work leads to a better life continues to break down. The daily reality for most is a race against rising costs, where wages stall while housing, food, and transportation consume nearly 60 percent of every paycheck.
This reflects a system where the rules have changed in ways that weaken workers’ financial security while protecting those at the top. Worker productivity has surged by over 60 percent since 2000, but workers have seen only a fraction of that gain in their paychecks. This gap between effort and reward has left 60 percent of adults living paycheck to paycheck, while 37 percent are one $400 emergency away from falling behind.
WHAT WE NEED TO CHANGE
The balance in our economy has shifted away from workers and toward those who profit from their work. Real wages have not kept pace with the wealth workers are helping create, leaving households unable to absorb even small unexpected expenses. This insecurity is compounded by a tax code that places a heavier burden on work while deliberately giving an advantage to income that comes from wealth.
As worker bargaining power has been weakened, job quality has declined and families have lost the ability to build savings or move ahead. As core expenses take up more of each paycheck, gaps in overtime protections and restrictive contracts like non-compete agreements keep workers stuck and limit their ability to move ahead.
HOW WE GET IT DONE
We will make sure hard work actually pays, protect wages from being undercut, and create real paths to get ahead.
Wages and Worker Power
• Establish a $20/hour national minimum wage.
• Raise the non-exempt salary threshold for overtime to $100,000.
• Expand eligibility for overtime pay.
• Pass the PRO Act to protect the right to organize.
• Ban restrictive barriers like non-compete agreements.
Fair Taxes
• Make the first $20,000 of all income tax-free.
• Tax capital gains for top earners as regular income.
• Eliminate tax loopholes used by the ultra-wealthy.
• Increase funding for tax enforcement on high-income evaders.
Lower Costs and Household Stability
• Directly reduce the cost of higher education.
• Roll back tariffs that drive up the daily cost of goods for families.
Growth, Infrastructure, and Workforce Alignment
• Invest in national broadband and physical infrastructure.
• Restore full funding to the Small Business Administration.
• Invest in vocational training and robust workforce pipelines.
• Align immigration policy with actual workforce and economic needs.