Jobs Reduce Crime

It’s not a bumper sticker (though it makes a good one). It’s true. Most – if not all – crime is committed by desperate people. People who feel like they have nothing to lose. And in many cases, if we’re honest, we can understand why they might feel that way. People with good jobs, a nice home, a family – things to lose – rarely commit crimes. People with something to lose typically act like it. Let’s prioritize creating employment opportunities for the most marginalized communities – including the previously-incarcerated – so they have something to lose.

Let’s expand employment opportunities for young people so they have something to lose. That means federal funding for youth employment, skill development in fields with high demand and low entry barriers, and targeted support for the formerly incarcerated, creating pathways away from crime through empowerment, engagement, and economic opportunity. This kind of comprehensive policy is designed to combat crime at its roots by providing meaningful employment opportunities to the most marginalized, including young people and the previously incarcerated. Recognizing that desperation often leads to criminal activity, this initiative seeks to stabilize communities through federal funding for youth employment, skill development in high-demand sectors with low entry barriers, and targeted reintegration support for those exiting the criminal justice system.

By creating a framework for empowerment, engagement, and economic opportunity, the initiative aims to transform lives and reduce crime, offering individuals not just jobs, but a stake in their communities and reasons to pursue a lawful, productive path. This multi-phase strategy underscores the belief that secure employment is key to building safer, more prosperous communities.

Ending Louisiana’s “Brain Drain”

Louisiana has one of the country’s most valuable exports and it’s pretty sad: it’s our own college-educated citizens. We have some of the best colleges in the world and every semester, we’re churning out people with the skillsets necessary to compete in the 21st century global economy and they’re finding zero opportunities in their own backyard. And it’s because we’re not prioritizing bringing the kinds of jobs to Louisiana that cater to their skillset.

Not everyone wants to or can work at a chemical plant. Not everyone wants to work at a prison. We have to diversify Louisiana’s economy so we’re an attractive place for people to start their careers and families. People want good jobs that pay well and enable them to grow, both professionally and financially. Too many of our brightest, fresh out of institutions like LSU & Southern, feel compelled to leave in search of broader opportunities and higher standards of living.

I am committed to keeping our young, educated workforce right here in Louisiana by diversifying job opportunities, ensuring competitive starting salaries, and expanding access to paid internships. I’m committed to creating an environment where staying in Louisiana is as attractive as any offer from across state lines. This isn’t just about preventing our talent from leaving; it’s about acknowledging that our graduates shouldn’t have to settle for less to stay home. By fostering job growth across emerging sectors, from technology to renewable energy, and by making Louisiana a welcoming place for all young professionals, we’re not just combating brain drain — we’re reversing it.

Louisiana needs to be a state where our youth can envision a future filled with promise and potential, right here in their own backyard.

Labor & Collective Bargaining

As a steadfast advocate for the rights and dignity of workers, I am committed to championing the cause of labor unions and the invaluable role they play in our economy and society. My unwavering support for workers’ rights to organize stems from a fundamental belief in fairness, justice, and the power of collective action to create more equitable workplaces and, by extension, a more equitable world.

I firmly believe in the need to strengthen the Davis-Bacon Act, ensuring that workers on federally funded construction projects receive fair wages that truly reflect local standards. This is not just about protecting workers; it’s about safeguarding the quality of our infrastructure and the economic health of our communities. By upholding and enhancing Davis-Bacon, we affirm our commitment to a skilled workforce and the principle that public money should support decent jobs that can sustain families and communities.

Protecting the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is paramount in my campaign. The NLRB plays a crucial role in enforcing workers’ rights to organize and bargain collectively, free from retaliation. In recent years, we’ve seen attempts to weaken the NLRB’s authority and undermine its ability to protect workers. I stand against these efforts and will advocate for policies that ensure the NLRB has the resources and independence it needs to fulfill its mission effectively. Workers must have a strong and responsive advocate in the NLRB.

I will always side with workers over corporations, recognizing that the strength of our economy and the health of our democracy depend on a robust and respected labor movement. In Congress, I pledge to be a rock-solid champion for labor unions, advocating not just for policies that protect the right to organize but also for a broader economic agenda that puts workers’ interests at the forefront. This means fighting for higher wages, better benefits, and safer workplaces. It means pushing back against efforts to erode collective bargaining rights and standing up to corporations that seek to exploit workers.

My promise is to stand with workers every day and twice on Sundays. My belief is that the dignity of work and the rights of workers should be at the heart of every policy decision Congress makes.

Living Wage vs. Minimum Wage

Sure, I support a $15/hour minimum wage because at least it’s better than $7.

But let’s be honest: workers are getting screwed just by the very nature of having to regularly beg for a pay raise that should be happening automatically as the cost of living increases. I support a federal living wage that reflects the real cost of living and adjusts automatically with inflation. This policy ensures that all workers earn a wage that allows them to live with dignity, without the constant struggle for legislative updates.

What is a “living wage?”

The living wage shown is the hourly rate that an individual in a household must earn to support themselves and/or their family, working full-time, or 2080 hours per year. Learn more here.