Where did ‘affordability’ go?

“It’s the economy, stupid,” a phrase coined by Democratic strategist James Carville during Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign against George H. W. Bush, is making a comeback. 

Today, as then, the cost of living is an issue as many Americans worry about high costs — namely, groceries, health care, and housing — trailed by inflation and tariffs. As lawmakers gear up for the critical midterm elections, they’re paying attention to the concerns of average middle-class families and the key word: affordability.   

Cost-of-living issues are a national concern but often overshadowed by much greater discontent with the federal government, national and global crises, and immigration.  

It was interesting to read recently in the The Wall Street Journal research describing why consumer anxiety is real considering housing and health care costs. After adjusting for inflation, the data cited by The Wall Street Journal shows consumers are spending over $5,000 more annually on housing, and nearly $3,000 more on health care than they did in 1985. Together, these categories account for a substantial share of overall spending growth and explain why many households feel squeezed despite rising incomes. 

It appears Bucks County Republican legislators have a rallying cry coming up to the election: bread-and-butter issues, what’s driving costs up, and what they can do. First out of the box is State Representative Joe Hogan (R-Langhorne), who is deputy chair on affordability for the House Republican Policy Committee. He won in 2022 and 2024 and is seeking a third term. In opening his campaign two weeks ago, Hogan couldn’t have been clearer about the direction he’s taking regarding the problem he sees. “Affordability,” said Hogan, on WBCB 1490 AM’s Speak Your Piece. The two-term legislator cited personal experience in echoing the concerns of average families in his district. 

A Levittown native, Hogan is married, with one young child – and he shops! And that may be another driver for advocating lower costs across health care andchildcare as well as offering tax credits for working families. Part of that effort is directed at reducing expenses through legislation that targets energy costs, housing, taxes, and youth sports, all items affecting constituent families in his Lower Bucks County district, he said.   

During his campaign launch, Hogan spelled out a Republican agenda championed by all other Bucks Republican legislators. The upcoming campaign focuses on families and affordability. Hogan likes to take a bipartisan approach, saying, “I’ve worked with both parties to cut taxes seven times, worked to increase funding for our public schools, and kill the energy tax that could have cost families more than $1,000 a year on their utility bills. And I’ll continue to focus on supporting an income tax credit for extracurricular activities, including sports.” 

While the naysayers claim Republicans are on their heels nationally and in Bucks County, legislators like Hogan and his Republican colleagues are aiming at a healthy majority in the House with the political strength to achieve their strong, legislative goals.  

While there is so much media focus on global and national discontent, at the same time Americans in cities and towns nationwide, in Pennsylvania and Bucks County are hoping for relief from rising costs and ever grateful for a 20-cent drop in gas prices, or more on eggs. Yet no one is happy with the inexplicable rise in the price of just about everything on the grocery shelf. 

Now with the upcoming midterm election, everything turns to the “neighborhood” where voters live, work, and feel the pinch. And Republicans feel a pressure to recover from recent countywide losses while offering new ideas and real solutions to their neighbors.   

I’m a true believer that all politics boils down to local concerns. Republican incumbents like Hogan are focusing on what happens in their communities, to neighbors, families, and those struggling on fixed incomes. The opposition is sure to do the same. It will be an interesting state legislative campaign that includes competitive state House and Senate races and, hopefully, good news in 2027.   

One last thought: Many government issues, problems or fixes, are solved at the ballot box. State legislators’ actions have more effect on their communities and voters than a president, U.S. senator, or congressperson. And that’s why the economy and companion word affordability are high on the agenda — with legislative responsibility an imperative. 

Pat Wandling hosts Speak Your Piece weekdays at noon on WBCB 1490.