Democrats plan Trump resistance
Lawmakers in at least 30 legislatures coordinate bills this week as rebuttal to president’s agenda
In what’s being called the “Week of Action,” Democratic lawmakers in at least 30 states are unveiling or highlighting legislation this week targeting the workingclass voters who’ve supported President Donald Trump. It’s intended as a coordinated rebuttal to the agenda Trump is expected to outline Tuesday in his first joint address to Congress.
Democratic lawmakers in at least 30 states are either unveiling or highlighting legislation this week aimed at President Trump’s working-class voters, in a nationwide coordinated rebuttal to the agenda the president will outline in his first address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday.
It’s an attempt to form the legislative spine of a state-level resistance to Trump’s policies, Nick Rathod, executive director of State Innovation Exchange Action, which is overseeing the initiative, told USA TODAY.
The timing creates a juxtaposition between Democratic economic security prescriptions for workers, such as raising the minimum wage and paid family leave, and Trump tax reform and federal budget policies that, Democrats say, are at odds with his populist campaign oath to prioritize “forgotten” Americans from the factory floors of the Rust Belt to the sawmills of the Mountain West.
“If you work hard and play by the rules in this country, you should be paid enough to live on, to care for your family, and to retire securely,” Rathod said in an interview previewing the legislative “Week of Action” that will spotlight more than 130 bills in states from Oklahoma to Alaska.
Trump’s campaign promises stand “in stark contrast to the corporate, billionaire-driven agenda” now emerging, he said. SiX Action, a non-profit trying to help Democrats regain power at the state level, marshaled 40 different left-leaning organizations to help coordinate the effort. It includes bill introduction ceremonies to draw media attention even in states where the legislative packages face an uphill battle because Republicans control both chambers.
State lawmakers are offering provisions that, according to polls, enjoy broad public support
Democrats’ “Week of Action” legislation is intended to draw a contrast with Trump policies they say are at odds with his populist campaign focus on working-class voters.
to also include overtime pay, paid family leave requirements and equal pay for women.
POPULIST MESSAGE
During his campaign, Trump prioritized a message of economic populism, including reopening coal mines and steel mills and advancing a major infrastructure spending bill. His first month in office has been dominated by divisive cultural issues — such as a travel ban, expedited deportations and the repeal of a transgender bathroom executive order — rather than the issues that matter most to the struggling working-class voters, a number of whom also supported former president Barack Obama.
IT’S THE ECONOMY
Ray Keener, 64, a retiree from Seminole, Texas
“With the experience he has as a businessman, I think the economy of the United States will flourish again. I think he has a better insight into being able to work the economy, work deals for the betterment of the United States. Increased stock exchange, prices and stocks going up will help everybody as far as being able to live the American way of life.” Pat Jolliss, 59, a retiree from Rochester, Ind.
“Keep the economy going in the right direction. We’ve done pretty well, but we know a lot of people who haven’t. I just hope he can unite the country again. We’ve got to be Americans first and stop arguing about things constantly.” Carl Reiseis, 88, a retiree from Punta Gorda, Fla.
I’m 88. I won’t be around much longer. He’ll be the last president I see in my life. I have five (children): two boys, three girls. I hope he doesn’t screw up the value of money. They’re all in good jobs. They’re retired or close to retired. So they’re off a lot better than I was, as long as the market holds up and all that. I don’t want him to drain the swamp. I just want him to get it back to where it used to be.”
REDUCE TAXES
Rick Dammer, 45, an IT project manager from Zephyrhills, Fla.
“I am hopeful that President Trump will be able to reduce taxes, which will provide additional breathing room for my family and I. This would allow us to do more activities out of the house and help keep the economy growing.”
REDUCE NATIONAL DEBT
Monty Chandler, 45, a disabled veteran from Church Point, La.
“He’s a billionaire, and I’m not. But I felt like he was one of me, like the people, and not just like a politician who lies. That’s the reason I voted for him. I’m hoping he’ll change some social programs to save some money. I’m a disabled vet. I’ve learned to live within my means. I know that’s what I should do. Me and my wife, we live in a house that’s not expensive, drive a truck that’s 7 years old. We live within our means. I think the government could start paying on the $20 trillion debt that we didn’t have eight years ago. If Bill Clinton can get this country to zero debt, I think our president can do the same.” Steven Spence, 69, a retiree from Mesa, Ariz.
“I want them to balance the budget. We — just ordinary citizens — live in a household, and we have to balance our budget. Otherwise, we lose our house, but people who write a check on other people’s money don’t care. I want the deficit to come down, or my children won’t have a future. On my life, it won’t matter; I’m in my 70s. In my kids’ life, it’ll give them hope, some guidance. We elect people to go to Washington, D.C., to be our spokespeople, but they go there, and they don’t listen. And if they don’t feel like the people in Washington care about how they balance the budget, subconsciously they might think they don’t have to balance their budgets.”
REDUCE REGULATIONS
John Moon, 63, self-employed, from Kamas, Utah
“Hopefully, he’ll be able to decrease the regulations, like the EPA is throwing at us. Get some tax relief; that would be great. You know, get the economy back on track. I’m a small-business owner, in the construction business, and I own a farm and also am involved in the oil business. They actually shut down the oil field, Obama did. The Democrats and Obama have done all they
can to just stop fracking, and they haven’t completely stopped it. But on federal land, they pretty well shut down the fracking industry and the drilling.” Keely Vazquez, 59, a smallbusiness owner from St. Paul
“As a small-business owner, I am hoping that the Trump presidency will ease the burden of regulation, high taxes and high health care premiums that fall so heavily on my business. If this gets better, we can expand our business and create jobs. From a personal standpoint, I am hoping for a growing and healthy economy that will positively impact the value of mine and my husband’s retirement accounts and property so we can look forward to financial security in our retirement.”
HEALTH CARE
Deidra Brady, 48, a sales manager from Broadway, N.C.
“I’m technically not married, but (my partner and I have) been together for 14 years, and I’m technically an employee of his company just so I can get health care, because you can’t get health care. My deductible is $10,000, which is outrageous. If we can get competition going, there will be lower health care (costs), and I’m all for that. You can make all the money in the world, but it’s just outrageous. I know people paying a fourth of their income every month for insurance. They’re going without. They’re going to Mexico to buy medicines. That’s taking away from our economy all the way around.” Ken Cornacchione, 65, a financial consultant from Venice, Fla.
“I would like for President Trump and Congress to make health care affordable and to pro- vide a variety of coverages, ranging from high-deductible to ‘first-dollar’ plans. In addition, I would like to see coordinated tax reform and fiscal management to achieve a stimulated economy, reduction of our $20 trillion debt and reduction of government handouts so that those in need and not capable of working full time are beneficiaries, whereas those capable of working have a reduction in government handouts.”
TAKE CARE OF VETS
Tara Kimble, 61, a disabled veteran from Breaux Bridge, La.
“I need him to get the VA straight. They’re in disarray, completely. I’m a veteran and so is my husband. He was (in) during the Vietnam era, and I was in Desert Storm era. I haven’t been able to see my doctor since March, and my appointment is not until May — and that’s my primary care doctor.” Patricia Shomion, 57, a retiree from Mount Gilead, Ohio
“I’m a Vietnam-era veteran of the Air Force, and I get my health care through the VA. It’s got problems. The wait-list time is astronomical now. To get to the next appointment, it might take you five months. I twisted my knee in November. I got seen in the last part of December, and I got a shot then into my knee. It wore off about a month ago, and my new shot is going to be given in the first week of March. That’s the earliest they could get me in. So right now, I’m in a lot of pain. How long does it take to give a shot?”
CONTROL IMMIGRATION
Joe Canino, 61, a retiree from Hebron, Conn.
“I hope he can make the country safe for everyone even if it means having to lock down the borders for a while, which he has the power and the right to do. I also hope that he can build our military back to a level where we are without doubt the most powerful nation in the country. In my humble opinion, the level that the previous administration brought our Army to is too low.” Cheyne Henry, 31, a business manager from Red Lion, Pa.
“My hope is that President Trump creates a barrier between us and those that mean to bring us harm. From terrorism to illegal immigration, I want better protection against people sneaking into the United States. I’m all for people coming here legally. I just want everything to be monitored.” John Karr, 73, a retiree from Federal Way, Wash.
“I live in the wonderful state of Washington, in King County. The mayor of Seattle, whose only credentials for being mayor was that he was liberal and believed in global warming, has designated Seattle as a sanctuary city. Most of the people who are seeking sanctuary have no job skills except to be on welfare. I hope the Donald keeps his word about cutting funding to sanctuary cities. Also, our great governor, Jay Inslee, has stated on the news that we, as a state, will take all the Syrian refugees we can get . ... I hope the Donald can stop immigration from Muslim countries. Each and every Muslim that wants to immigrate to the U.S. of A should be given a lie detector test. If they say it violates their constitutional right, they are not a citizen and therefore have no constitutional rights. You would find out almost immediately who is radical and who isn’t.”
SAFETY IN THE STREETS
Margie Chandler, 53, an IT worker from Old Monroe, Mo.
“My hope is that President Trump will bring back honor and respect to our police and men and women serving in our military. In doing so, with the police, it would make me personally feel safer when having to go downtown to work or attend events. As it stands now, criminals seem to have taken over. I can’t hardly watch the local news, and fear for my family . ... Bringing honor and respect back to our military brings in more of our best men and women and sends a message to the good guys that we are there for them but also sends a message to our enemies that we mean business and will do what is necessary to protect us and our allies.” JoAnne Musial, 65, a retiree from Canadensis, Pa. “Jobs, being safe, law and order.”