Although the black-white income gap is shrinking among low-income Americans, disparities persist across several metrics
Social Mobility
A core promise of America is the ability of people to rise up from humble beginnings. The challenges faced by lower- and middle-income Americans today are multidisciplinary in nature, and require our renewed focus. Job and wage growth are essential; in particular, Americans need access to more blue-collar work and other jobs that don’t require a college degree. Our employment and welfare policies should encourage work, family formation, and income security. Paid family leave can help strengthen families at their times of need.
All Social Mobility
Most policymakers do not want social welfare programs to reduce work. Unfortunately, that is precisely what happens when recipients face so-called “benefit cliffs.”
One of their few areas of agreement is a policy that will almost certainly harm those who can least afford it
A hypothetical President Harris seems likely to do little more than double down on upholding the Biden administration’s policies
Identifying the several causes of homelessness and applying solutions that fit each one
If states and localities truly wish to solve the tragedy of homelessness, there are positive, proven, and innovative policies that they can pursue
Neither Trump nor Biden was inclined to fight for far-reaching reform or to fundamentally change the system
On issues of poverty and opportunity, the poverty rates during their terms in office allow contrasts and comparison