New Year, New Laws: 2023 Edition
Ahh, the New Year.
For those of us who work in and around statewide politics, January 1st serves as a reminder that the fruits of our labor very often don't come to fruition until years, and sometimes decades, later. While we busy ourselves throughout the year pushing for progressive policies, the fact of the matter is that often times it takes months and even years for these policies to be successfully implemented. Combine that with the fact that our media likes to downplay Democratic successes and what we inevitably get is a New Year when all of a sudden millions of people's lives are drastically improved with little to no recognition for those that helped make it happen. While several of these victories will go under the radar, it's important that we, as Democrats take time to broadcast just how Democratic policies are making life better for millions of Americans, especially our most vulnerable residents. Therefore, without further ado, here is a small sampling of new laws launched yesterday that will help to make America a more fair and just country for all in the years and decades to come.
Minimum Wage Increases
Ever since President Barack Obama used the bully pulpit at his 2014 State of the Union address, Americans have been waking up to the fact that the federal minimum wage has refused to keep up with the cost of living. With the last increase in 2009, the current $7.25/hour rate means that people making that amount now are comparatively making less than those making minimum wage 60 years ago. Knowing this, Democratic governors and municipal leaders have been stepping up to raise the minimum wage locally. The issue has become so popular that it has been on the ballot 22 times since 1998 and has passed all 22 times, including in red states such as Missouri, Arkansas, South Dakota, and Alaska. In 2023 alone, 23 states and D.C. will be implementing new minimum wage increases on January 1st with several states working to gradually increase the wage over a series of years. While there is more work to be done, the Economic Policy Institute estimates that these wage increases from anywhere from 23 cents to $1.50 will affect 8 million workers. As our current President would say, "that's a big f*cking deal."
A key aspect of the Inflation Reduction Act was Democrats' hard-won battle against Big Pharma, which spent $143 million lobbying against the bill. Without a single Republican vote, Democrats successfully put people over profits and passed the bill that finally delivers a blow to Big Pharma's death grip on the industry. The Biden Administration has been particularly diligent in promoting the fact that on January 1st, seniors with Medicare Part D will have their monthly insulin capped at $35 dollars that would directly impact an estimated 3.3 million seniors. From the administration's recent press announcement:
Because of this landmark legislation, on January 1st, Americans will start to see the benefits of additional cost-saving measures in the Inflation Reduction Act. That includes seniors seeing a month’s supply of insulin capped at $35, Medicare beneficiaries paying $0 out of pocket for recommended adult vaccines covered by their Part D plan, and prescription drug companies needing to pay Medicare a rebate if they try to raise their prices faster than inflation for drugs administered at a doctor’s office.
Giving the most reliable voting bloc a key win is both good policy and good politics. This will make a tangible difference in the lives of millions of seniors and also for their children and grandchildren who often face the burden of having to help pay for these exorbitant costs. While capping insulin for all as a standalone bill has been blocked by Republican senators, providing relief for seniors and overcoming Big Pharma's lobbying blitz to do so should be seen as a critical victory for Democrats in 2023.
Tax Credits for Electric Vehicles
In addition to the insulin cap for seniors, the Inflation Reduction Act also creates benefits for those willing to purchase an electric vehicle in 2023. From a CNN article:
The new rule stresses the use of vehicles that were made in North America, requiring much of their battery components and final assembly to be in the continent to be eligible for tax credits. It also mandates at least 40% of the minerals used for the battery to be extracted from the United States or a country that has free trade with the US.
Upon meeting the requirements, new vehicles are eligible for a tax credit of up to $7,500.
Those purchasing used electric vehicles can receive up to $4,000 in credits but it may not exceed 30% of the vehicle’s sale price.
This new law not only benefits the consumer but also puts the onus on car companies to change their practices by motivating them to use materials either made in the U.S. or made via a free trade partner. While it's obviously too early to say what the actual impact will be, it should be seen as a positive that these car companies will likely want to reach these new consumers and will be all the more likely to adhere to the 40% rule. After all, consumers that want to receive the tax credit will be looking for eligible vehicles so it would behoove these companies to meet the rule to meet the anticipated consumer demand in 2023.
Various State Laws
Lastly, there are various state laws, primarily in blue states, that should also be mentioned as they are paving the way for a more just 2023 for residents of these states. With criminal justice reform, Illinois will become the first state in the nation to end cash bail, a practice that disproportionately impacts low-income communities of color and something that many of us have been working to end in our own states. On the worker justice front, businesses with more than 15 employees in California and Washington are now required to publicly list their pay scale, providing a new level of transparency for potential job applicants. And lastly, psychedelic mushrooms, or psilocybin, is set to have a big week as Oregon begins accepting applications today for psilocybin services or manufacturing licenses while Wednesday will see Colorado decriminalizing the drug, setting the stage for the state to work out specifics of its regulation. As we've seen with marijuana, providing a safe, regulated way of distributing these substances and working to release those who have been imprisoned for minor drug charges is a critical way to overturn the failed Republican War on Drugs that destroyed countless communities of color over the past half-century.
Again, this is just a small sample of some of the new laws set to be enacted this week. Be on the lookout for similar laws where you live and don't be afraid to share the good news here or on social media. For those who have worked on these issues, take time to celebrate your hard work and be sure your membership knows that you played a part in helping enact these laws, whether it was weeks, months, or years ago when you first got started. As we can see, Democrats have done a lot of good to get us where we are and those of us on the ground are the best messengers to get the word out. We have 364 days left with many more victories to come, especially as $60 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will become available over the next 12 months. There is even more where this came from, especially as states like Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, and Massachusetts join 13 other states where Democrats control all 3 branches of state government and can plow through much-needed progressive policies. At the local, state, and national level, it has been proven that Democrats consistently deliver for the people.
And it is up to us to make sure the voters know this in 2023.