Growing up in Los Angeles, I have seen firsthand the struggles that low-income citizens face on a daily basis. Many of my friends and family members were unable to afford basic necessities such as food, rent, and healthcare. Some are still facing the same reality and It breaks my heart to see people working multiple jobs just to make ends meet, while we live in a country that can change that narrative and reality.

It is unacceptable that in a country as wealthy as ours, so many people are living in poverty. According to Policy Link (2018), one in every three Americans are living below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. This means that millions of people are struggling just to get by.

Not only does economic insecurity lead to financial struggles, but it also has negative impacts on mental health. Studies have found that young adults who experience or anticipate economic insecurity or employment loss are 2-6 times more likely to experience mental health challenges (De-Miguel et al., 2022). Additionally, financial insecurity and unemployment have been linked with an increase in suicide rates (De-Miguel et al., 2022).

We cannot continue to ignore this issue any longer. It is time for our California Legislators to take action and create policies that will help mitigate the barriers and challenges of financial/economic insecurity.

Therefore, I am urging our California Legislators to draft, create, and implement a bill that will address economic disparity and provide support for those who need it most. This bill should include measures such as increasing access to affordable housing, healthcare, and education opportunities for low-income families.

Together we can make a difference! Let's stand up for those who cannot afford their physiological needs by signing this petition today!