An Economy that Works for Everyone
The cost of living keeps going up, and Michiganders are understandably frustrated. For too long working families have borne the brunt of an unfair system, and their wallets, time, and patience are being stretched thin. Natalie will:
Advocate for a statewide paid family and medical leave program, including paternal leave. If you have a newborn, or a loved one who is sick, injured, or has a disability, you currently need to take on financial hardship to help care for them. In a country that exalts family values, we should make it easier for families to care for one another.
Support affordable child care so that parents who want to return to the workforce after having a child can afford to do so. Child care costs are too high for many families to afford.
Strengthen unemployment insurance to help Michigan workers get through hard times.
Create a prescription drug affordability board to review and cap costs so that no one in Michigan has to go without needed medicine just because they can’t afford it.
Protect consumers from hidden automatic renewal contracts and require written advance notice of any changes.
Protect renters from being evicted without good cause and prohibit landlords from charging any fees not disclosed in the lease agreement.
Automatically enroll all senior citizens and households with children in their utility provider’s winter protection program to prevent heat shutoffs.
Eliminate medical debt for thousands of Michiganders through a medical debt relief program.
Push for more affordable housing so that Michiganders can afford to simply live. A roof over one’s head and a stable place to live is a basic need without which other needs cannot be met. We cannot ignore Michigan’s housing crisis.
Advocate for the passage of the Ratepayer Bill of Rights to guarantee Michiganders fair compensation for power outages, lower energy costs, ban political contributions from utility companies, and ensure residents can generate their own solar energy.