Alabama doesn't have to be the poorest state in the nation.

Our people are just as good as the people anywhere else, and we deserve better than what we've been getting. There's no reason Alabamians can't have quality affordable health care, jobs with good wages and benefits, unemployment benefits between jobs, affordable groceries, and affordable child care.

Specifically:

• Raising the minimum wage beyond the federal minimum of $7.25

• Supporting unions as a positive tool for protecting workers

• Removing taxes from groceries

• Incentives for companies to come to the River Region and be good employers to our workers

• Expanding Medicaid and protecting rural healthcare

• Funding SNAP & WIC to support families and children

• Affordable child care

• Requiring a formal rate review of Alabama Power to bring down electric bills