As Trump’s policies exacerbate the affordability crisis, state Democrats are leading the way to lower costs around health care, housing, and more
WASHINGTON — 2026 legislative sessions are underway, and state Democrats are laser-focused on lowering costs and expanding economic opportunities, in stark contrast to Trump and Republicans’ agenda that’s raising prices. State Democrats are leading real progress to lower housing and health care costs, reduce utility bills, raise the minimum wage, expand child care access, lower food costs, and more.
Democratic majorities in statehouses are leading the party forward and combating Republicans’ devastating, expensive agenda that’s leaving families behind.
Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams issued the following statement:
“Amid an affordability crisis that’s raising costs for families across the country, all eyes should be on statehouses. As Republicans fail to address health care and housing costs and strip families of food access, state Democrats are working overtime to undo the damage and fight on behalf of their communities. The progress that state Democrats are making underscores the stakes of our historic opportunity this year to flip as many as 650 seats across the country and empower Democrats to address affordability all across the country.”
Democrats in state legislatures have plans to…
- Lower the cost of housing in Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, and Maine
- Lower energy or utility bills in Maryland, Indiana, and Iowa
- Support families’ food access in case Trump cuts funding in Maine and Kentucky
- Raise the minimum wage in Iowa, Kentucky, and Virginia
- Reduce the cost of child care in Indiana and lower the cost of essential items like diapers for families in Kentucky
- Expand paid sick or family leave in Iowa and Virginia
- Help people pay off medical debt in Kentucky
- Make it easier to form a union in Colorado
These proposals are on top of state Democrats in New Mexico, Colorado, Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, and Massachusetts who have already taken action to lower health care costs and protect access to care amid federal cuts.
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) is the campaign arm of Democratic state legislatures and leads the national strategy for building power and winning new majorities. Over the last three decades, we have strategized cycle over cycle to win majorities and lead the effort to bring national attention and investment to our ballot level, winning nearly a dozen new chamber majorities over the last decade. Our work has ensured that nearly half of Americans are represented by at least one Democratic majority in their statehouse. State legislatures are the building blocks of our democracy and have the closest connections to Americans’ day-to-day lives. From protecting fundamental freedoms and voting rights to growing the middle class and advancing opportunity, the DLCC and state legislators are moving the Democratic agenda forward and shaping the future of this country.
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