California’s 16th Congressional District has some of the highest poverty rates in the country, and incomes are stagnant. This is unacceptable. The federal government can and should make investments in our communities to address the housing shortage, bring down rents, and create new jobs in this district. 

Wage distribution, particularly in our agriculture industry, is top heavy, enriching corporations and business owners while employees experience poverty and food insecurity. We can make investments that create economic opportunity while addressing rural neglect and a legacy of racial discrimination.

We must also make quality education a higher priority if we are going to provide opportunities for good jobs, stronger families and more resilient communities. We know what needs to be done to refocus education to prepare our kids for the future because teachers have been telling us, and I’m listening. We have to invest in K12 public schools and ensure all our teachers earn a living wage. It means maintaining small class sizes, de-emphasizing high-stakes tests, and providing resources that support teachers and encourage STEM skills for the 21st-century economy.