x
Breaking News
More () »

Paul Spencer, Democratic candidate for 2nd District, announces plan for a 'fair economy'

Paul Spencer announced an economic plan that he said he will "build an economy that prioritizes working-people."
Credit: Paul Spencer for Congress

Paul Spencer, one of four Democrats vying for Arkansas's Second Congressional District seat, has announced an economic plan that he said he will "build an economy that prioritizes working-people."

The candidate said his campaign is committed to ideas that "empower working Americans" which "put the people back in charge of our democracy."

"These new ideas build on this commitment and seek to expand the horizons of progressive policy and defend the dignity of life on all fronts," Spencer said.

Spencer broke up the plan, "From the Roots Up," into six different points. The ideas range from postal banking to high speed internet in rural areas to eliminating student debt.

Below is his press release outlining the six-point plan:

Establishing Postal Banking and Realizing Economic Justice: This initiative would allow post offices to offer banking services such as free checking and savings accounts, ultra-low interest loans for small businesses, and free legal and accounting services. Postal banking would empower low-income Americans to build their wealth and contribute more to the economy while eliminating the need for predatory payday lenders.
Amplifying Rural Connectivity and Reviving Abandoned Economies: With this program, we aim to deliver high speed broadband to every home in Arkansas, particularly in rural areas, while also breaking up internet service provider monopolies and reversing the restriction on communities that prevents them from establish local and municipal broadband providers.
Combating Diabetes and Empowering Local Farmers: As part of a single-payer Medicare For All system, we are promoting a program to allow doctors to prescribe fresh fruits and vegetables while partnering with local farmers to provide produce, thus stimulating agricultural economies throughout the state. The local farmers would be paid by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services and function as a revenue-positive policy.
Restoring Black Wealth and Obtaining Long-Denied Equity for Communities of Color: After centuries of denying non-white Americans the same right to build wealth as white Americans, we want to set up a federally funded program that will rejuvenate economies and restore democracy in communities of color.
Guaranteeing Affordable Housing and Protecting Quality Living: This program will extend Section 8 housing vouchers to every working-class American and establish a federal Tenants Bill of Rights while creating a viable path to home-ownership.
Eliminating Student Debt and Securing Economic Living: To unburden 44 million American of the $1.4 trillion they currently owe, we propose to cancel all outstanding federal student loans and allow the federal government to take over payments of private student loans.
For more detailed information on each topic, please refer to Paul Spencer's campaign website.

Gwen Combs, Jonathan Dunkley, and State Rep. Clarke Tucker are also hoping to gain the Democratic nomination for Arkansas's Second Congressional District.

Before You Leave, Check This Out