Getting real on affordability: Some gubernatorial candidates lay out affordability plans
MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Affordability is arguably the largest issue for voters as they head to ballot box during the midterm elections. Monday night, three gubernatorial candidates discussed how they will tackle the issue.
From gas to groceries and housing, folks are struggling and want answers from gubernatorial candidates on how they plan to improve affordability and their quality of life.
“In the past couple of years, I have now rented rooms in my house. I am now learning that more and more people are doing that,” Ananda Mirilli. a Madison resident and attendant of the forum, said. “So yeah, I am a 49-year-old woman living with housemates.”
A recent CNBC poll shows housing is one of the top issues for young people. A sentiment that was echoed at the forum by younger attendants. Nura Said expressed how she and her husband are waiting to have children until they feel the economy is in better shape.
“I am struggling with market rate rent, so I like to call myself the 'squeezed middle' because I feel like our pockets are just being further squeezed in all directions, so just some relief really,” Nura Said, a Madison resident, said.
Over 100 people came to listen to gubernatorial candidates share their policy plans to improve affordability. This comes as the latest state of ALICE report shows 35% of Wisconsin households faced financial hardship in 2024. The ALICE report is produced by the United Way. It measures and tracks hardship across the country.
“I have been an educator for many years,” Mirilli said. “I don’t know how educators' salary is not cutting it for folks, they are also struggling and seeing their children and their students not having what they need.”
All Democratic and Republican candidates were invited to the forum, but only Mandela Barnes, Francesca Hong, and Kelda Roys attended. They were asked how they plan to tackle affordability, and how they each plan to pay for it. Wealthy corporations were a focus.
Barnes says the system we live in is broken and he plans to fix it.
“We have to hold them accountable by taxing them as they should be taxed, and we also have to put that money directly into our schools to fund our future and create the conditions for good paying jobs through public transportation and higher education,” Mandela Barnes, Democratic candidate for governor, said.
Kelda Roys says it’s about priorities of the Legislature. She says the resources are there, they just need to be properly used, and highlighted ways to increase tax revenue by taxing the wealthy and legalizing marijuana.
“We absolutely have the resources and there are new places that we can get resources right,” Kelda Roys, Democratic candidate for governor, said. “We spend way too much money incarcerating people and not enough educating people. We should legalize and tax cannabis and use that -- pour that money into early childhood education.”
Francesca Hong says her campaign is focused on permanent affordability. She says it’s important that stakeholders and those feeling the squeeze, like certain social service providers, are part of the conversation and that they have a seat at the table when policy is being crafted.
“We need to make sure that when we elect Democrats we can legalize weed and then put those tax dollars into the investment we need,” Francesca Hong, Democratic candidate for governor, said. “That when we elect Democrats, that’s how we are going to make sure we are taxing the ultra-rich and putting that revenue back into our communities.”
The forum was held by the Kaleidoscope Coalition. The topics they covered were decided through community listening sessions and surveys.