Make the Economy Work for Working People!

       Every day, North Texans feel the squeeze of an economy that simply isn't working for working people. Families are stretching paychecks across rising housing costs, higher utility bills, exploding healthcare premiums, and grocery prices that never seem to drop. Teachers, first responders, young professionals, and retirees alike are being priced out of the communities they helped build. For too many, the promise of Texas prosperity feels out of reach. 

      As a progressive Democrat, Leilani Barnett believes affordability is not just an economic issue—it’s a quality-of-life issue and a moral one! The solutions start with raising wages and strengthening workers’ rights so people can actually earn enough to live with dignity. We must expand affordable housing through state investment, zoning reform, and incentives that support mixed-income communities rather than luxury-only development. Lowering property taxes for primary homeowners—not corporations—and increasing support for renters would give families real breathing room. 

       We also need to tackle healthcare and childcare costs head-on by expanding Medicaid, funding community clinics, and investing in universal pre-K and childcare assistance. And, we must stop giving billion-dollar tax breaks to corporations that don’t reinvest in Texas families. North Texans deserve an economy that ensures every family can afford to live, work, and thrive right here at home.