While Trump’s federal funding freeze threatened to raise costs and wreak havoc on people’s lives, Democrats in the states have sprung into action to protect targeted programs
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration’s shocking and dangerous federal funding freeze sparked chaos and threatened to raise costs by gutting and sowing confusion around programs like Medicaid and HeadStart, wreaking havoc on the lives of everyday Americans. Democrats in state legislatures have already stepped up in legislative sessions to protect at-risk programs and ease the cost of living for American families.
State legislatures are on the frontlines of providing a counterbalance against the dangerous platform proposed by Project 2025 and Trump. This is the only ballot level where Democrats can pursue a proactive agenda in the months and years ahead, and state Democrats are prioritizing common-sense solutions to ease costs – in stark contrast to the dysfunction and chaos demonstrated by Republicans in Washington.
Trump’s dysfunction is raising costs for families across the country, while, state Democrats have long prioritized making everyday necessities more affordable:
- Washington, Alaska, New York, and Virginia Democrats already introduced bills to support free breakfast and lunch in public schools.
- Oregon Democrats are aiming to reduce child poverty with a bill that raises the state’s child tax credit and income limits.
- Advancing paid family and medical leave is a top priority for New Mexico Democrats this session.
While Trump’s funding freeze nearly jeopardized rental assistance, Democrats are addressing the steep cost of housing:
- Colorado Democrats introduced legislation to bring costs down by banning price fixing between landlords to raise rent and to crack down on deceptive pricing practices.
- Virginia and New York Democrats have sponsored bills to address soaring rent costs by banning property owners from fixing prices to arbitrarily raise rents.
- In Wisconsin, Democrats introduced legislation to provide tax relief to low-income renters and homeowners.
Trump’s funding freeze put Medicaid under assault, while state Democrats have always prioritized expanding this lifeline for millions of low-income and vulnerable Americans.
- Since the Affordable Care Act offered states the opportunity to expand Medicaid in 2014, every single state with a Democratic-led legislature has fully expanded Medicaid.
Even beyond taking on Trump’s dangerous actions, state Democrats are prioritizing common-sense solutions to bring down prices for working families.
- Though the federal minimum wage hasn’t been raised since 2009, 16 Democratic states have raised their own. Virginia Democrats have introduced legislation to raise the minimum wage and phase in $15 per hour.
- Democrats in Colorado are also tackling the price of groceries with a bill that makes it illegal for places like grocery stores to price gouge on necessities.
Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams issued the following statement:
“The Trump administration is leading with chaos and confusion while prioritizing billionaires over working families. As families scramble to navigate the dysfunction and make ends meet, state Democrats are picking up Washington’s mess and bringing real solutions forward to bring prices down. From boosting rental assistance to eliminating the cost of school meals, Democrats are laser-focused and leading the fight against the callous economic devastation threatened by Trump and Republicans.”
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) is the official Democratic Party committee dedicated to winning America’s state legislatures and building state infrastructure. Over the last decade, we have fought cycle-over-cycle to gain a dozen new legislative chamber majorities and we are leading the effort to bring national attention and investment to our ballot level. State legislatures are the building blocks of our democracy and have the closest connections to Americans’ day-to-day lives. From protecting fundamental freedoms and voting rights to growing the middle class, the DLCC and state legislators are moving the Democratic agenda forward and shaping the future of this country.
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