Dear neighbors,
Having been raised by a single mother in poverty, I understand the struggles that working people and families experience because I've lived through it. I know how hard you have to work to get ahead because at a young age, I quickly realized how stacked the system is against working people.
At 16, I started doing farm labor to help support my family. In high school I took college courses at night, graduated from college at 19, and got my Masters in Public Policy from Brown University at age 20. For many this would be the “American Dream,” but I've struggled to pay my bills, much less, invest and save for a future.
Since become the youngest Latino to ever serve as a RI State Representative, I've been fighting for us, the working people and families of Providence. Through the power of community support and organizing, I have sponsored and supported dozens of bills that have been signed into state law, such as:
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Raising the minimum wage to $15 by 2025
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Capping the monthly cost of Insulin to $40
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Capping the monthly cost of Specialty Prescription Drugs to $150
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Expanding healthcare coverage to ALL children, regardless of immigration status
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Classifying the act of wage theft against workers as a felony
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Codifying consumer protections in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) into state law
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Establishing a new 10-year program to replace all contaminated lead service lines free of cost for renters and homeowners.
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Strengthening staffing standards in nursing homes
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Expanding paid sick leave for caregivers
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Establishing an annual funding stream for affordable housing development
In our neighborhood, I've had the pleasure of hosting over 30 Community Meetings across Mt. Pleasant Library, George J. West Elementary School, and the Lillian Feinstein Senior Center.
I'm proud to not accept any donations from: Corporate PACs and other special interests that have harmed our government. Instead, I'm focused on empowering the working people in our communities and representing us at the State House.
Please contact me if you ever need assistance or if you have any questions/ideas on how we can improve Providence. Take care and I look forward to hearing from you!
– State Representative David Morales (Providence - District 7)