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David's Platform
It's time to get back to what matters. We need common sense policies built to make the American family stronger, bring back the middle class, and create new opportunities for our communities.
Housing Affordability & Ownership
As a general rule, housing prices should not exceed 2–2.5x the annual household income for a community to thrive. Today, the median price for a single-family home in our community is 9x the household income. We need to build more homes, not stadiums.
I propose we tackle this radical crisis with strong and effective solutions working with local government, including:
Regulatory Reform & Adaptive Reuse
- Re-zone unused or underused commercial properties to create mixed-use development for affordable housing.
- Remove the red tape and streamline permitting processes to encourage builders to build quickly and efficiently.
Land Use Innovation Zones
- Re-think community planning in the 21st century and work collaboratively with urban development planners to utilize modern technology and innovation to pioneer cutting-edge solutions to building and zoning.
- Test micro-housing and modular housing to provide an affordable pathway to ownership for new homeowners.
Tax Incentives
- Provide federal tax incentives to developers who build in densely-populated urban centers and require developers to build affordable structures for ownership.
- Introduce tax credits for property owners who make vacant or underutilized homes available for affordable housing initiatives.
Community Land Trusts
- Encourage the establishment of Community Land Trusts, which would acquire and hold land for the benefit of the community. By separating the ownership of the land from the housing structures, this model helps keep housing affordable over the long term and prevents speculation-driven price increases.
Accessible Financing
- First-time homebuyers struggle to save 20% for a downpayment on homes that cost nine times their annual income. Create community investment bonds through the Federal Housing Authority issued with the backing of the federal government that could be purchased by institutional investors, private citizens, and even community organizations. The unique feature of these bonds is that the funds raised would be exclusively earmarked for affordable housing initiatives. Investors in these bonds would receive competitive but limited returns, and the interest earned on the bonds could be used to finance additional projects, creating a self-sustaining cycle of investment in affordable housing.
Responsible Education
Student loan debt stands at $1.8 trillion across the nation with an average federal debt per borrower at $37,338. The average starting pay for a recent graduate when adjusted for inflation has remained the same for the past six decades. At the same time, the cost of tuition has increased by nearly 3x since the advent of federal financial aid. K-12 public schools have seen a decrease in mathematics and reading performance for the first time in more than three decades. In our community, school districts like Inglewood Unified are experiencing dismal high school graduation rates of 67%.
David believes we must confront these unacceptable trends and implement policies to ensure our children grow up with a solid education.
Student Loan & Federal Funding Reform
- Identify areas of study with the highest starting salaries after graduation and eliminate federal funding for programs that do not meet at least 70% of this threshold, ensuring that our taxpayer dollars are being invested in schools and programs that will actually benefit our children's future.
- Eliminate skyrocketing tuition by cutting off the fuel—federal student financial aid. Instead, establish merit-based grants, scholarships and competitions. A more competitive system compels universities to re-evaluate their budgets and prioritize spending on excellence in education to ensure graduates have the best opportunities.
- Recognize that higher education is not the best path for many young adults and invest federal funding into trade schools and apprenticeship programs in the private sector that guarantee a livable wage after graduation.
Teacher Pay
- Increase teacher pay and establish a minimum starting salary for teachers measured against administrator pay and adjusted for cost of living in different regions. Today, administrators can make 60-220% more than a classroom teacher and this is not acceptable.
Department of Education
- Redirect the $68 billion budget for the Department of Education to local public school districts and significantly reduce the size of the department.
- Mandate standards are designed for academic excellence and ensure that our students lead the world in math, science, reading and technology.
Entrepreneurial Education Hubs
- Establish federally-funded education hubs that connect local businesses, entrepreneurs, and educators. These hubs would provide students with hands-on experience, mentorship opportunities, and real-world projects, promoting entrepreneurship and innovation as integral parts of a student's learning.
Place Parents in Control
- The final decision for a child's education must lie with parents and guardians. End the indoctrination of students and establish transparency between schools, teachers, and families.
- Give parents and guardians greater control over where they send their children and provide federal grants and funding for the creation of more charter schools, magnet schools, and enrichment courses.
Small Business
Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and we must support a thriving marketplace for small businesses in our community and throughout the nation. Nearly 50% of all jobs in America are created by small business. Yet, millennials and younger generations only own 8% of all small business. Demographically, Hispanics own only 14% of small businesses. This must change in our community by investing in younger generations and providing the education and opportunity to historically underrepresented groups so they can create businesses and jobs.
David proposes we unlock the entrepreneurial potential of our district to innovate and create.
Restructure the Small Business Administration
- Establish rigorous guidelines and thresholds for lenders participating in the SBA loan program to ensure small businesses are being considered fairly for much-needed startup and growth capital.
- Create small businesses expos to provide startup businesses a marketplace to showcase their ideas, products, and services to potential investors and buyers.
- Implement mobile business support units that travel to underserved areas, providing on-the-spot assistance with business registration, licensing, and accessing government programs. This initiative brings essential services directly to entrepreneurs, reducing barriers to entry.
Simplify Federal Contracts
- Simplify the federal procurement process for small businesses, reducing bureaucratic hurdles and fostering a more competitive environment. Streamline the application process, offer mentors and counselors, and provide set-aside contracts for businesses in our district.
Promote Employee Ownership
- Provide tax incentives for businesses transitioning to employee ownership models, such as Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs). Encourage a sense of ownership among employees, promote business stability, and promote self-sufficiency and wealth creation.
Provide Legal Support
- Offer workshops and pro-bono legal services for small businesses who need support and can't afford high attorney fees.
Immigration
Over 3.2 million migrants crossed the southern border in 2023, including families, women, and children. We must end this dangerous and harmful pattern of immigration to the United States through comprehensive immigration reform that creates a clearly defined and efficient pathway to residency and citizenship for hard-working migrants. We must also restore law and order to the immigration process and close loopholes that allow for the exploitation of minors and human trafficking. This is common sense and we cannot endure the political antics on this topic any longer.
We must eliminate the status as second-class citizens for migrants by offering them a place alongside our citizens where they can help us build a stronger and better America.
Pathway to Residency & Citizenship
- Immediately establish a quick and easy process via modern technology for applicants abroad to apply for residency in the United States through a new program that allows migrants to legally come to the U.S. as long as they have no criminal record. Currently, the process to receive a green card can take two years or more—this must be expedited.
- Offer educational programs to provide migrants with the tools needed to find jobs.
- Establish accountability and work requirements for applicants, including removal from the program for able-bodied migrants who are not willing to contribute to building America.
- After successfully completing the program, migrants can apply for green cards and citizenship.
End Birthright Citizenship
- We must join the rest of the modern world and end birthright citizenship to disincentivize bad actors from using birthright citizenship as a reason to break immigration laws.
Cooperation with Central American Countries
- Strengthen diplomatic and economic ties with Central American countries to address the root causes of migration, including poverty, violence, and lack of economic opportunities. Collaborate on initiatives that promote stability and development in the region.
E-Verify System
- Enhance and mandate the use of the E-Verify system to ensure that employers verify the legal status of their employees. This discourages undocumented individuals from seeking employment and helps maintain a legal and transparent labor market.
Middle Class Economics
The American middle class is struggling. Over the past five decades, the middle class has shrunk by 11% and today only 50% of Americans live in the middle class. While the income of upper class Americans has grown, the household income of middle and lower class Americans has stagnated and in many cases, decreased. We must revitalize the middle class through economic policies that strengthen the financial position of American families.
Domestic Manufacturing
- Levy higher taxes on large, publicly-held corporations who produce more overseas than domestically.
- Reduce our reliance on foreign manufacturing in critical sectors for national security by offering grants to startups providing rare earth materials and battery technology.
Invest in America
- Eliminate foreign purchases of U.S. farmland and residential housing, forcing unfair competitors to leave the arena.
- Incentivize the private sector to build in America through tax credits, creating well-paying jobs that fuel middle class growth.
- Restrict U.S. dollars flowing to foreign investments and companies.
Taxes & Social Security
- Reduce government spending and increase tax credits for families with children, lessening the tax burden on families and the middle class
- Transition to a means-tested Social Security system where Social Security benefits are based on financial need. Adjust benefit levels based on an individual's or household's income and assets, ensuring that those who need the most support receive it.
- Introduce a phased-in opt-out provision for Social Security, allowing younger workers to choose whether to participate in Social Security or contribute to private retirement accounts. This would give individuals more control over their retirement savings while minimizing the immediate impact on current beneficiaries.
Artificial Intelligence & Technology
Federal policies addressing critical areas of technology have long been lagging technological advances by decades or more. The evolution of AI will disrupt 85 million jobs by 2025 alone. Meanwhile, gene editing in medical technology has advanced to a dangerous level if not regulated properly. While the benefits are many, we must approach these issues with urgency and address them as public health & safety concerns to avoid catastrophe.
Artificial Intelligence
- Immediately establish federal guidelines for companies working on AI, including direct oversight by bipartisan committees and independent, non-partisan groups with the authority to implement safety regulations on artificial intelligence.
- Ensure that for every job being replaced by AI, there are more jobs being created because of AI.
- Create safety mechanisms to implement moratoriums on AI as new risks are discovered to prevent a runaway scenario involving AI abuse.
Medical Technology
- Establish Congressional oversight for companies developing new products using CRISPR and foster international collaboration to establish global standards for the ethical use and regulation of medical technologies and CRISPR advances.
- Mandate transparency in research and development processes, clinical trials, and the use of CRISPR technology. Establish protocols for tracing the origin and development of genetic modifications to ensure accountability and prevent unauthorized use.
- Implement comprehensive, long-term safety monitoring programs for CRISPR applications and medical technologies. This involves continuous evaluation of the safety and efficacy of interventions post-approval, with mechanisms for prompt intervention if unforeseen risks emerge.
- Establish an international registry to track all CRISPR modifications made to the human genome. This registry would facilitate transparency, collaboration, and the monitoring of long-term effects.
Energy & Infrastructure
Advances in battery technology and solar energy have unlocked new possibilities for a renewable energy source into the future. However, these technologies alone are not enough to make the U.S. energy independent today. We need to establish both long-term and short-term solutions to address the energy crisis and rising energy costs confronting us today.
Nuclear Innovation
- Support research and development in advanced nuclear technologies, including small modular reactors (SMRs) and next-generation designs. These innovations will enhance safety, improve efficiency, and address concerns related to nuclear waste.
- Investing in nuclear energy will create millions of new jobs. Build education and workforce development programs to ensure a skilled workforce for the nuclear industry, including training programs, scholarships, and partnerships with educational institutions to meet the growing demand for nuclear professionals.
- Promote the sale and export of American nuclear technology to other countries, advancing U.S. economic interests but also contributing to global efforts in reducing carbon emissions through the deployment of nuclear power.
- Recognize the role of nuclear energy in enhancing grid resilience and energy security. Maintain a diverse energy mix to ensure reliable power generation, especially during extreme weather events or emergencies.
Transform Energy Markets
- Deregulation of energy markets encourages increased competition among energy providers—bringing more options and lower costs for the American family.
- Streamline licensing and regulatory processes for new energy providers to bring more competition to the marketplace quickly and efficiently.
- Encourage the formation of energy cooperatives, allowing local communities to collectively own and manage their energy resources.
Modernize Infrastructure
- Invest in energy, broadband and telecommunications modernization efforts to enhance infrastructure and allow open access to the grid for startup companies.
- Create federal jobs by modernizing our interstate system through advances in smart traffic management systems that utilize advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and data analytics, to improve traffic congestion and safety.
- Realign federal contract sourcing to performance-based contracting models that tie payment to the achievement of specific project milestones and outcomes.
Public Safety & Health
We need common sense policies that will fix our broken cities, address the homelessness crisis, restore mental health, and reduce dangerous drug overdoses.
*Use federal land to build communities with micro-housing and mental health services as a cost-effective and scalable solution for transitional periods with work requirements.
- Build modernized mental health facilities that prioritize patient well-being, safety, and dignity.
- Decriminalize illicit substances and offer a legal pathway to safer alternatives in order to cripple cartels and drug smuggling.
- Sanction countries where drugs originate and encourage those countries to proactively control the illegal smuggling of drugs.
Affordable Healthcare
Healthcare costs topped $32,000 per year for a family of four in 2023. We must end the high cost of covering our most important expenses and regulate the fees being charged by healthcare providers. Health insurance costs follow the costs of services and we must reduce the inflated costs of services and medicine in the healthcare industry.
Healthcare Billing
- Regulate billing for the healthcare industry and require transparency for all charges before a service is rendered.
- Eliminate "junk fees" charged by hospitals and facilities to care for patients.
- Require that hospitals and doctor's offices provide an easy way to compare costs against competing facilities and providers.
Medical Technology
- Establish Congressional oversight for companies developing new products using CRISPR and foster international collaboration to establish global standards for the ethical use and regulation of medical technologies and CRISPR advances.
- Mandate transparency in research and development processes, clinical trials, and the use of CRISPR technology. Establish protocols for tracing the origin and development of genetic modifications to ensure accountability and prevent unauthorized use.
- Implement comprehensive, long-term safety monitoring programs for CRISPR applications and medical technologies. This involves continuous evaluation of the safety and efficacy of interventions post-approval, with mechanisms for prompt intervention if unforeseen risks emerge.
- Establish an international registry to track all CRISPR modifications made to the human genome. This registry would facilitate transparency, collaboration, and the monitoring of long-term effects.[2]
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