The issues that most concern Latino voters are the economy, with rising prices and the cost of housing at the forefront, which is why Vice President Kamala Harris will give a speech focused on her economic philosophy for the United States.
“She plans to describe growing up in a middle-class home where she ‘understood the pressures of making ends meet,’ describing her mother sitting up late at night at the kitchen table, a stack of bills in front of her, trying to make it all work,” a Harris-Walz campaign official told this newspaper. “This is a scene that is repeated every day in millions of homes across America today, she thinks.” [la vicepresidenta] add”.
In her speech, the vice president will focus on three pillars of what she calls an “economy of opportunity”: (1) cost reduction, (2) investment in American innovation and entrepreneurship, and (3) global leadership in the industries of the future, it was announced.
The week of the presidential debate, a My Code Intelligence Center poll for La Opinión revealed the concerns of Latino voters, with inflation leading the list with 31%, followed by 22% of those who spoke of the need for a affordable housing and 17% on the gun violence and mass shootings.
The economic situation “in general” was also mentioned, which tied with 16% of mentions with armed violence, while lImmigration is ranked fifth with 14%, then reproductive health with 10% and racial equity with 9%.
Vice President Harris’ address at the Economic Club of Pittsburgh will be particularly meaningful to Latinos, who will be able to learn more about the Democrat’s economic philosophy, how it guides her vision and plans to protect and expand the middle class, and how that vision represents a fundamental contrast to former President Donald Trump’s economic philosophy and approach.
“For Donald Trump, our economy works best if it works for those who own the big skyscrapers, not for those who build them, not for those who install them, not for those who clean the floors,” is part of the message that the vice president will deliver, according to the source.
The vice president will approach part of her career, as a “proud public servant,” with a capitalist vision that understands the “limitations of government,” but will offer a “pragmatic” vision, emphasizing the search for practical and realistic solutions, rather than being “bound by ideology.”
“She will be making her point that to grow the middle class, you have to work in partnership with the private sector and business, and will nod to how she has dedicated her entire career to this,” the source said.
Part of his mentions will include the work he did as Attorney General, which allowed him to work with the business community on a public-private agreement that, for example, strengthened the protection of consumer information in mobile applications.
From the Biden Administration, the vice president led efforts to convene consumer banks, investment firms, technology companies and philanthropic organizations.
“As a result, the administration secured billions of dollars to deliver capital and resources to underserved small businesses and the community lenders that serve them,” he is expected to say.
There are proposals the vice president will return to, as she did at events in North Carolina on cost-cutting and in New Hampshire on investing in entrepreneurship.
“These proposals, taken together, help voters understand how their priorities fit into their broader economic vision for the country,” the source said.
Pittsburgh is notable as a city because it helped build the U.S. middle class by fueling the rise of industrial manufacturing 100 years ago, including the birth of the labor movement.
Positive impact projects for Latinos
Vice President Harris has already supported some proposals that may benefit Latino voters, such as the expansion of the Child Tax Credit, which in 2021 was included in the American Rescue Plan and supported 18 million Latino children, helping to reduce Latino child poverty by half.
Now, he is proposing to expand that credit, as well as promoting an additional one for families with newborn children, to grant benefits of up to $6,000 dollars.
The Earned Income Tax Credit could also be expanded, as it was in 2021, which benefited 2.9 million Latino workers.
“Vice President Harris’ proposal to reinstate this expanded tax credit would help a similar number of Latinos,” it said.
He will also advocate for $25,000 down payment assistance for housing and highlight his plan to build up to three million affordable homes.