The economy may be growing for Wall Street, but too many people feel stuck. One in four workers in this country makes less than $17 an hour. Meanwhile, the cost of basic needs—food, housing, gas, childcare—has gone up and up, while wages have barely moved. The federal minimum wage hasn’t budged since 2009. According to MIT, the average single adult needs to earn $32/hour in Fairfax County to have a livable wage.

When nearly 60% of U.S. jobs pay under $25/hour, it’s time we build an economy that delivers for the many, not just the few. The idea that raising wages kills jobs is a myth—and the research proves it.

Real growth means investing in people. That includes job training, support for small businesses, and public investment in the industries of the future. Economic strength should be measured by how working families are doing—not just stock prices.

A healthy economy isn’t built from the top down; it’s built from the middle out. Let’s focus on making sure work actually pays off and that people can build a future—not just stay afloat.