Kamala Harris Unveils Her First Major Economic Plan as Presidential Candidate

Vice President Kamala Harris will deliver a significant speech on Friday in Raleigh, North Carolina, unveiling her economic portfolio. This marks her first major policy announcement since President Biden exited the race last month.

In her upcoming address, Harris aims to make addressing inflation a top priority from day one. She plans to present strategies aimed at reducing costs for middle-class families, combating corporate price-gouging, and generally focusing on decreasing living expenses for Americans, according to campaign officials from the Harris-Walz team.

A recent CBS News poll reveals that only 9% of registered voters consider the national economy to be in ‘very good’ condition. The economy and inflation consistently rank as primary concerns among voters leading into the 2024 elections. While inflation rates have tempered since peaking in June 2022, many individuals are still grappling with financial difficulties, with prices currently about 20% higher than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The speech is set to follow Harris’s commitment to eliminate taxes on tips and raise the minimum wage during a recent rally in Las Vegas. Those proposals constitute her only major economic policy initiatives thus far.

Addressing attendees in Las Vegas, which included members of the Nevada Culinary Union, Harris stated, “When I am president, we will continue our fight for working families, including to raise the minimum wage and eliminate taxes on tips for service and hospitality workers.” A campaign official noted that this proposal would necessitate legislative action.

This proposal to eliminate taxes on tips reflects a theme similar to one suggested by former President Donald Trump in June during his own rally in Las Vegas. Additionally, lawmakers will face a significant opportunity regarding tax legislation in 2025, as several tax changes enacted during Trump’s presidency are set to expire, emphasizing the importance of Congressional control in shaping tax policy.

As a presidential candidate, Harris has emphasized her commitment to serving middle-class interests while campaigning in battleground states. During a rally in Glendale, Arizona, she reiterated, “When I am president, I will continue that work to bring down prices.” She expressed determination to tackle large corporations involved in illegal price gouging, challenge corporate landlords who unfairly increase rents, and cap the costs of prescription drugs for Americans.

While addressing over 15,000 rally attendees, she asserted, “Unlike Donald Trump, I will always put the middle class and working families first.” Throughout her campaign, voters have consistently communicated that the economy remains a critical issue as they prepare to cast their votes.

When asked about their economic priorities, Las Vegas resident Abraham Camejo articulated concerns about job growth and workforce development, highlighting the disparities in policies favoring large corporations versus those that benefit the middle class.

According to another CBS News poll, Harris currently trails Trump on the issue of financial policies. The poll indicates that 45% of registered voters believe they would be better off financially with Trump, compared to only 25% for Harris.

Before officially launching her presidential campaign, Harris had been engaged in an Economic Opportunity tour in 2024, aiming to address the top economic concerns of voters while also promoting the accomplishments of the Biden-Harris administration.

As Harris unveils her economic priorities, it will be crucial for her campaign to resonate with voters who are deeply concerned about their financial situation, especially in a competitive election year where the economy is at the forefront of many discussions.

Source: CBS News