Governors tackle rising cost of living with relief checks, tax cuts and housing policy

By GEOFF MULVIHILL, Associated Press

State officials are attempting to address voters’ worries about the rising cost of living, including housing and everyday items such as groceries, utilities and child care.

As governors give their annual state of the state speeches, many of them are designing their messages to speak to constituents’ concerns about affordability.

Because the issue is so broad, there are a lot of things governors can try. But for the same reason, there’s no one policy that’s likely to bridge the gap between stagnated wages and expenses that are growing for many people.

Maine’s Democratic Gov. Janet Mills for example, wants to send $300 relief checks to 725,000 residents. Others are imposing caps on utility hikes or calling for easier ways to build more housing.

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