Rethinking how we value workers, renewing our laws, expanding voices in public policy — these are some of the economic lessons California State Controller Betty T. Yee has learned from the pandemic. PPIC Vice President and Senior Fellow Lande Ajose recently spoke to Yee about the past two years and how the state can chart a path forward.
Yee opened with a poignant reflection on the stress and strain workers have faced as the pandemic has unfolded, saying that the state’s key economic challenge is “the fragility of our human capital.”
“No one was spared,” she said. “I’m no expert on behavioral health, but I still see these challenges. . . and for the economy we have to pay attention to that.”
Though the vast majority of jobs have returned, many Californians are still struggling as inflation eats away at recent wage gains. Have pandemic programs — including stimulus payments, child tax credits, and relief for small businesses and renters — done enough for those who needed help? “I shudder to think what would have happened if those dollars weren’t available,” Yee said.
Yee argued that the government should be “nimbler”. To better address housing affordability and homelessness, she suggested streamlining housing programs for efficiency. She also said that CEQA (California’s Environmental Quality Act) has been used “as a weapon on all sides” when it comes to housing. She commented that “freshening up legislation to make it more relevant is great,” noting that climate change should be a key factor in housing today.
Yee underscored the need for a “worker-centred orientation” in policy making and called for changes in the way we support workers. She pointed out that a guaranteed basic income could play a role in helping people transition to better job opportunities. She also called for upgrading the care sector – low-wage work often done by women, people of color and immigrants – to recognize how “fundamental” it is to our economy as a whole.
Yee firmly believes in amplifying the voices of those involved in political discussions. As the daughter of immigrants who served as a translator and advocate for her parents, she reflects on how many communities lack an advocate. “How wonderful it would be to ensure that the voices of those facing the worst impacts are raised [the state’s] Challenges could be around a table to talk about their lived experiences” and work on solutions together, she said.
PPIC’s Speaker Series on California’s Future invites thought leaders and changemakers with diverse perspectives to engage critically, constructively, and collaboratively in public conversations. The goal is to help Californians better understand how our leaders are addressing our state’s challenges.
PPIC is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization. PPIC does not take or endorse any position on election policies or local, state or federal law, and does not endorse, endorse or oppose any political party or candidate for public office. All opinions expressed by event attendees are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Public Policy Institute of California.
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