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From cutting-edge policy research to illuminating analysis, we bring a racial equity lens to the most pressing issues facing our country. For our latest blog posts and media updates, visit our Media page.

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Cover of 'Solving the Affordability Crisis' by People's Action and Dēmos: a rising staircase of icons representing groceries, health care, energy, housing, and child care, each topped with dollar bills."

Solving the Affordability Crisis

The affordability crisis is the result of policy choices — and different choices can reverse it. This report from Dēmos and People's Action traces why housing, utilities, food, health care, and child care have become unaffordable, and five structural solutions for building a people-powered, racially just economy.

Policy Briefs
Demos
People's Action
A Black care worker in scrubs reviews a clipboard with an older Black woman seated on a couch. In the background, composite images show caregivers working with children and supporting elderly adults, overlaid with illustrated icons representing justice, economic opportunity, and care.

Empowering Care Workers: The Key to a Better Care Economy

Good care jobs are the foundation of a good care economy. Empowering care workers through better pay, stronger protections, and collective voice would improve care quality, reduce workforce shortages, and advance racial and economic equity.

Policy Briefs
Nick Wertsch
Row of empty voting booths in a school gym

Missing Voters: The Real Threat to Alabama's Democracy

More than 815,000 Alabamians are missing from the electoral process. In this report, Stand Up Mobile, Dēmos, and Southern Coalition for Social Justice examine who's missing, why, and what Alabama must do to fix it.

Research
Beverly Cooper
Dustin Tyler Broughton
Keshia Morris Desir
Jens Manuel Krogstad
Lucy Krueger
Sarah Ovaska

Letter to Senate Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions Committee Re: Appointment of Betsy DeVos

We are concerned that given Ms. DeVos’ track record to privatize public education and her lack of a clear position concerning the affordability crisis in higher education, the committee cannot properly assess whether Ms. DeVos is fit to run the U.S. Department of Education.

Testimony and Public Comment
Tamara Draut
Vijay Das
Mark Huelsman

Poverty Pay and CEO Windfalls: Why Fast Food Is the Most Unequal Industry in the US Economy

Americans are working longer and harder than ever, yet in recent years the gains from economic growth have gone disproportionately to the very highest income earners.1 Working people are left out in the cold, denied their fair share of pay for the work they do.
Research

Letter to US Senate Committee Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Re: Appointment of Andrew Puzder

Dear Members of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions:
Testimony and Public Comment

Small Loans, Big Risks: Major Consequences for Student Debtors

The steep increase in college tuition and student debt over the past decade has led our country to engage in a serious debate about the need to reduce college costs and student borrowing. Yet many misconceptions remain about the scope or magnitude of the problem that student debt poses to our
Research
Robert Hiltonsmith

Letter to Senate Judiciary Committee, Re: Confirmation of Senator Jefferson B. Sessions

Dear Chairman Grassley and Ranking Member Feinstein, Dēmos, a national, non-partisan public policy organization working for an America where we all have an equal say in our democracy and an equal chance in our economy, submits this letter in strong opposition to the confirmation of Senator
Testimony and Public Comment

The Parent Trap: The Economic Insecurity of Families with Young Children

From the time a baby is born, American families are trapped between the need to provide care for their children and the necessity of earning income. 

Research
Amy Traub
Robert Hiltonsmith
Tamara Draut

Whose Voice, Whose Choice? The Distorting Influence of the Political Donor Class in Our Big-Money Elections

Who is spending big money on elections, and what do they want?

Research
Sean McElwee
Brian Schaffner
Jesse Rhodes

Don't Let Government Contractors Cheat Working Americans

Why President Obama’s Fair Pay and Safe Workplace Executive Order must be implemented under the new administration.

Policy Briefs
Amy Traub

Important Information for North Carolina Voters Who Registered at a DMV

Residents Who Attempted to Register to Vote or Update their Registration Information at the Division of Motor Vehicles Since the Summer of 2015 Will be Able to Vote in this November’s General Election Background
Research

Correcting Ohio's Voter Purge: FAQs

Infrequent Voters Who Were Unlawfully Purged from Ohio’s Registration Rolls Will Be Permitted to Vote in the November 2016 General Election

Litigation