In the News

What State Lawmakers Could Do for Working-Class Americans

In an op-ed published by Governing, Karla Walter and David Madland describe tangible, proven strategies state policymakers can use to strengthen the power of the working class in their communities this year.

As the national media dissects the early days of a second Trump administration and a new Congress, some are asking whether they will prioritize the needs of the working-class voters who provided much of the Republicans’ margin of victory in last year’s elections. But state legislative sessions are also beginning, and too little attention is being paid to how they may shape local economies to workers’ benefit.

Increased focus on the working class is sorely needed. Wages for workers without a four-year college degree have stagnated over the past five decades, even as corporate CEOs’ compensation soared and corporate profits approached record highs.

The above excerpt was originally published in Governing. Click here to view the full article.

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Authors

Karla Walter

Senior Fellow, Inclusive Economy

David Madland

Senior Fellow; Senior Adviser, American Worker Project

Team

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Economic Policy

We are focused on building an inclusive economy by expanding worker power, investing in families, and advancing a social compact that encourages sustainable and equitable growth.

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