Issue Position: Spearheading Living Wage

Issue Position

One of my first public policy achievements was helping to spearhead the advocacy for and implementation of a strong living wage ordinance in the City of Santa Barbara. In March, 2006, Santa Barbara adopted a citywide living wage that is tied to inflation and gives incentives to employers to provide health insurance to its employees. I strongly believe that a living wage is necessary to ensure that families can make ends meet, put food on the table, and have an opportunity to reach the middle class. This policy has been a positive step forward towards addressing the income inequality in our City. Not only is a living wage good for working people, but it also benefits local businesses. With money in their pockets, workers spend more money on goods and services at local businesses which as a result stimulates the local economy and helps create even more local jobs for workers. In Congress, I plan to push for similar legislation across our nation to help reduce the ever-growing income inequality gap we're seeing throughout America.

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