Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris recently presented her economic campaign proposal in North Carolina. She described her plan as creating an “opportunity economy” centered on benefiting the middle class.
In Raleigh, Harris emphasized that salaries should support a good quality of life for families, ensuring that no child lives in poverty. She also highlighted that people should be able to retire with dignity and join unions if they choose.
To reduce living costs, Harris pledged to cut unnecessary bureaucracy, investigate anti-competitive practices in the food industry, and propose a federal ban on price gouging.
Harris noted that inflation had dropped below 3% for the first time since March 2021. She criticized high food prices despite improved supply chains and record profits for big food companies. She acknowledged that while many businesses are contributing positively to the economy, some are not, and she stressed the need for action.
Her comments came ahead of the Democratic national convention in Chicago, where more details about her economic agenda are expected. North Carolina, a key battleground state, was last won by a Democratic candidate in 2008. Recent polls suggest it remains competitive for 2024.
Harris shared her personal experience working at McDonald’s and her efforts as California’s attorney general to lower drug prices and tackle predatory lending. She promised to address housing shortages by building 3 million new affordable homes and ensuring they go to working and middle-class Americans rather than investors.
She criticized corporate landlords and the financial sector for making home ownership and rentals difficult for regular people. Harris vowed to fight for laws against anti-competitive practices and proposed a $25,000 grant for first-time homebuyers.
Additionally, Harris plans to offer tax cuts to over 100 million Americans, including restoring the earned income tax credit, child tax credit, and providing a $6,000 tax credit for new parents.
Harris contrasted her proposals with Donald Trump’s FairTax plan, which aims to replace income tax with a national sales tax. She argued that Trump’s tax policies favor billionaires and corporations, increase the national deficit, and disproportionately benefit the wealthy. She concluded by stating that actions reveal who a person truly supports.