OPINION: Cost of living topic of Oct. 15 Main Street Agenda town hall meeting in Milwaukee

A Main Street Agenda town hall meeting on inflation to be held Tuesday, Oct. 15, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Clinton Rose Senior Center, 3045 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive

Inflation may be over, but the cost of living has increased significantly, and everything, including food, utilities, housing, healthcare, and insurance, has become more expensive.

Wisconsinites recently ranked inflation as their top concern heading into the Nov. 5 election, which is not surprising because inflation affects everyone, regardless of their economic status. How are higher prices impacting you and your family? What questions do you have about inflation? We want to hear from you.

I will be emceeing a Main Street Agenda town hall meeting on inflation on Tuesday, Oct. 15, from 6 to 8 p.m. The event will be held at the Clinton Rose Senior Center, 3045 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

REGISTER HERE FOR FREE EVENT: Milwaukee Main Street Agenda town hall meeting

During the presidential debate, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump made addressing inflation a crucial part of their presidential campaigns.

In a swing state like Wisconsin – where its largest city, Milwaukee, has one of the highest poverty rates in the country – the candidate who can best articulate their plan for addressing inflation could win the state and become the next president of the United States.

Panelists include experts on inflation, Milwaukee community activists

The panel includes: 

• Dynasty Caesar, Senior Organizer for the Redress Movement in Milwaukee.
• Menzie Chinn, Professor at the La Follette School of Public Affairs and Department of Economics at UW-Madison. His research examines economic developments within and between countries.
• J. Michael Collins, Professor at the La Follette School of Public Affairs and School of Human Ecology at UW-Madison. He studies consumer decision-making, including credit, savings, and investment.
• Melody McCurtis, Deputy Director & lead Organizer of Metcalfe Park Community Bridges, a resident-led organization in the Metcalfe Park neighborhood on Milwaukee’s Northside.

While the panel discusses how they view inflation, the public will also have a chance to express how inflation impacts them and what changes they have had to make to get by.

Main Street Agenda focuses on issues Wisconsinites care most about

The Main Street Agenda is here to help the public navigate these times and to provide space for honest dialogue about a topic that impacts everyone.

Since January, the Journal Sentinel Idea’s Lab has been publishing op-eds on topics from faculty at the La Follette School of Public Affairs at UW-Madison, our partners in the Main Street Agenda. The top issues include inflation, gun violence, health care, crime, income/wealth distribution, and climate change.

On Oct. 15, a panel of policy experts will illuminate major inflation-related public policy issues.

REGISTER HERE FOR FREE EVENT: Milwaukee Main Street Agenda town hall meeting

This event is part of the Main Street Agenda, a 2024 election project designed to focus on the issues Wisconsin voters care most about heading into the Nov. 5 election. This town hall meeting will focus on inflation policy and how pocket-book issues impact people’s voting behavior. The Main Street agenda emphasizes civil conversations.

This event is free and open to the public. A complimentary buffet dinner will be available during the event.

Reach James E. Causey at jcausey@jrn.com; follow him on X @jecausey.