By Reid Wilson | State Affairs
Key Points:
- “Affordability” is the top issue in national politics today
- Governors and lawmakers are prioritizing affordability in their agendas
- That means a variety of new bill proposals to address affordability issues nationwide
Just weeks into new legislative sessions, Merriam-Webster might as well call off its search for the word of the year — it’s affordability.
In the face of rising prices and a volatile stock market, governors and lawmakers across the country are embracing agendas aimed at lowering the costs of living, housing, energy and basic consumer goods.
Whether they can deliver on those promises — or at least convince voters their approaches are having an impact — may determine the results of this year’s midterm elections.
“Affordability has become one of the most talked-about issues in national politics today, and it’s refreshing to hear previous skeptics acknowledge it matters,” Vermont Gov. Phil Scott, a Republican, told lawmakers in his State of the State address this week. “Because the affordability crisis that some of us have been talking about for decades is real.”
