What Solves the Affordability Crisis?
At Feel Good Action, we believe in the power of social media to drive real world impact. Each week, we highlight an issue and give our subscribers a tangible call to action. If you’ve been looking for a place to get involved – we’re your one stop shop. Join the movement by subscribing today! Nothing is behind a paywall – paid subscriptions directly support Feel Good Action!
What’s the first thing you think of when you hear people talk about the affordability crisis? Is it the cost of groceries, your energy bill, or your healthcare premium?
Whatever comes to mind, there’s one truth for every American in 2026 – everything is more expensive.
With costs of living continuing to rise, candidates in 2026 are focusing on the term “affordability.” But what can our local, state, and federal elected officials actually do to put money back in our wallets?
Federal Policy:
In Washington D.C., Congress and the President play a major role in our economy. Trump’s tariffs led to inflated prices across hundreds of industries, as businesses passed the cost on to American consumers. The war in Iran caused oil and gas prices to surge, leading to higher prices at the pump as well as inflated prices on goods that require transportation (essentially – everything). The Big Beautiful Budget slashed funding for Medicaid, increasing the strain on our healthcare system and causing a ripple effect to private insurance price hikes while at the same time providing millions of dollars of tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans. As of this week, student loan borrowers were also hit by the effects of the Big Beautiful Bill, which undid President Joe Biden’s repayment reforms and has resulted in increased payments and interest rates for borrowers.
But there’s good news here too – the government also has the power to implement policies to lower prices and that future is within reach. With enough votes in Congress, Trump’s tariffs and the war in Iran can be blocked, bringing immediate relief to retail prices. The cuts made in the Big Beautiful Budget and the harm done by the now defunct DOGE can be reversed. Better yet, we could invest more funding into the programs that were cut, like Medicaid and SNAP (formally known as food stamps). We could pass student debt relief and reforms to make education more affordable. There’s also the opportunity to put more money directly in the pockets of working class Americans by finally raising the federal minimum wage, which has stalled at $7.25 per hour since 2009.
Whether we continue cutting social safety nets or invest back in the American people depends on who we send to Congress in the 2026 midterms AND how they can enforce checks and balances that hold politicians accountable. Voter registration deadlines are coming up fast! Make sure you check in with your loved ones before time is up.
State Level Policies:
This week, we collabed with Amanda Informed, who gave an insight on how state level legislation impacts affordability for Floridians:
Your state government has a lot of power – yet it's often overlooked. 30 states and D.C. have passed their own increases to minimum wage, despite the inaction in Congress. 30 states have also passed budgets to provide free or low-cost college education. 41 states have adopted the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion, providing healthcare assistance to millions of low-income Americans. Who we elect to state level positions has a real impact. State legislatures tend to introduce and enact a higher number of bills than the U.S. Congress. In part, this is due to addressing more localized issues and facing less partisan gridlock. And it means real reform is more likely to be proposed and passed.
Local:
Here’s the real sleeper – your local elections (on the bottom or back of your ballots, so keep scrolling!). Your city council, mayor, county government, and other hyper local positions hold immense power in the affordability of your community.
Local efforts across the country have blocked over $64 billion in data center projects – preventing construction that not only raises our energy prices, but pollutes our environment. Local zoning regulations determine what sorts of new construction projects happen in your town – whether that’s bringing in new businesses or building affordable housing. Local governments also often manage public transportation – an investment that can make commuting more affordable for residents. Local efforts have also helped prevent ICE from purchasing property and constructing detention centers in communities around the country.
In New York City, Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s efforts to lower costs are drawing national attention – and with it, alerting many Americans to what is possible for their own local governments to do. Last month, he passed a two year rent freeze on the city’s roughly 1 million stabilized units – an effort that will help keep housing prices from further inflating. While working closely with New York’s governor, Mayor Mamdani has opened free childcare centers in low income parts of the city, with goals to expand to universal free child care for all New York City families in four years. Efforts like these provide immediate relief for struggling New Yorkers and are huge steps towards ending the affordability crisis.
Take Action
If local and state governments hold so much power, why don’t they get more attention? Oftentimes, a zoning ordinance in rural America just isn’t a juicy enough story for the press – despite the potential to radically impact your local economy. Yes, Zohran Mamdani has gotten a lot of media attention (from supporters and critics alike), but that’s a rarity. Many Americans don’t even know who their mayor is in the first place. That same information gap extends to state level politics, where a study found that “fewer than 20 percent could name their state legislators. A third couldn’t name their governor.”
But as we’ve discussed above, the affordability crisis can be addressed by the combined efforts of our local, state, and federal government – and that starts with the 2026 midterms.
So this weekend, we’re giving you homework.
First – inform a friend! Did you learn something new in this article? Realize you’re one of many Americans unsure who your local reps are? Sit down with a friend and pass on the knowledge!
Second – we get it, you’re likely sick of us telling you to get your loved ones registered to vote. Now it’s your turn to be the squeaky wheel. Have you already shared our voter registration tool with your circle? Time to tell them to pass it on!
Third – Confirm your congressional district and who will be on your ballot! With all the redistricting this year, many Americans now live in new districts!
Fourth – Support Feel Good Action! Mainstream media rarely talks about local politics, but that’s what we’re here for! Every week, we break down the most pressing political issues in America, even the ones that don’t get the attention they deserve. Subscribe today to stay informed ahead of the midterms! Already subscribed? Consider upgrading to a paid subscription to support FGA – as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, your contributions are tax deductible!