Today, Joe Biden released the fourth pillar of his “Build Back Better” plan, focused on racial equity. In laying out his “Build Back Better” agenda, Biden has announced bold investments — in infrastructure, innovation, manufacturing, education, housing, clean energy, federal procurement, and small businesses. Today’s plan shows how he will direct many of these investments to advance racial equity as part of our nation’s economic recovery.
This plan would have large impacts on Wisconsin. Currently, Wisconsin has:
- One of the highest incarceration rates in the country;
- A nearly 40 percent income gap for Black and white workers with similar jobs;
- One of the largest homeownership gaps in the nation between Black and white homeowners; and
- The highest gap in the nation between Black and white students for public high school graduation rates.
“Joe Biden knows that we cannot afford to go back to normal in our recovery from COVID-19 because normal wasn’t working for far too many people,” said Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes. “Joe’s plan takes real steps forward by generating capital for Black and Brown businesses, targeting resources to address affordable housing and student loan debt, and incorporating racial equity into the work of our federal agencies and programs. To address centuries of systemic injustice, we need systemic solutions and a President who is willing to fight for them. I believe Joe Biden will be that President.”
“Communities of color have been hit especially hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn, and Donald Trump isn’t capable of the empathy or leadership that’s needed for us to fully recover,” said Congresswoman Gwen Moore. “Joe Biden knows that this is a moment for bold action. His plan would take long-overdue steps to tear down discriminatory policies that have been barriers to success for Black and brown communities, and he’d invest in cities like Milwaukee to give every person an equal chance to succeed. We know Joe, and Joe knows us — that’s why we have to work tirelessly to beat Donald Trump this November. ”
“Instead of lifting Latinos up, Donald Trump has fanned the flames of hate and turned his back on our community,” said State Representative JoCasta Zamarripa. “Trump thrives on tearing us apart, but Joe Biden will help us recover and build back better — that’s why this plan is critical. Joe will invest in our small businesses to help us grow and create good-paying jobs. He’ll work to eliminate the systemic racism that prevents Latinos from buying homes and building wealth. For the livelihood of our communities, we need to beat Donald Trump and elect a leader who will bring everybody along — that’s Joe Biden.”
“Minority small business owners face real challenges — and the COVID-19 pandemic and Donald Trump’s response has only made it worse,” said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. “Instead of getting relief to communities of color, the Trump Administration has doled out cash to his wealthy campaign contributors. Joe Biden would make real investments in communities of color, give us a fair shot at federal contracts, and lend a helping hand to small business owners. This is the kind of leadership we need to help our communities recover and build back better than before.”
Joe Biden is committed to rebuilding an economy where Black, Latino, Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI), and Native American workers and families are finally welcomed as full participants. He believes we cannot build back better without a major mobilization of effort and resources to address these challenges and to advance racial equity across the American economy. He will:
- Spur Public-Private Investment through a New Small Business Opportunity Plan
- Reform Opportunity Zones to Fulfill Their Promise
- Make a Historic Commitment to Equalizing Federal Procurement
- Ensure His Housing Plan Makes Bold Investments in Homeownership and Access to Affordable Housing for Black, Brown, and Native Families
- Achieve Equity in Management, Training, and Higher Education Opportunities Connected to the Jobs of the Future
- Boost Retirement Security and Financial Wealth for Black, Brown, and Native Families
- Ensure Workers of Color Are Compensated Fairly and Treated With Dignity
- Ensure Equity in Biden’s Bold Infrastructure and Clean Energy Investments
- Support Second Chances for Economic Success
- Strengthen the Federal Reserve’s Focus on Racial Economic Gaps
- Promote Diversity and Accountability in Leadership Across Key Positions in All Federal Agencies
- Build a 21st Century Care Infrastructure
- Address Longstanding Inequities in Agriculture
Read more about his plan HERE.
