At a town hall in Benton Harbor, Michigan on Monday, Sen. Elissa Slotkin addressed the widening generational gap in economic opportunity, laying out a policy vision that includes stripping tax incentives from corporations that fail to pay their workers a living wage. The Michigan Democrat made clear that she sees stagnant wages and rising costs not just as an economic issue, but as a defining challenge for the country’s future—and a key reason younger Americans are disengaged from civic life.

Slotkin’s remarks came in response to a retired teacher’s question about how to politically empower young people who, despite doing everything “right,” are unable to afford independence or stability. Slotkin acknowledged this frustration as part of a broader economic reality facing Americans aged 20 to 40.

“There are policies we can push from Washington that would help reset the things that have gotten out of control,” she said. “If you are a major corporation and you do not pay your employees a living wage—such that they rely on food stamps or Medicaid—you should not qualify for a single tax incentive.”

Looking at the issue as a taxpayer, she asks, “Why do I have to pay twice?” she asked. “That’s double dipping. I’m not going to do that.”

The senator also drew a connection between the economic disillusionment of younger Americans and their absence from politics. While older generations were raised on the American Dream, she noted, many younger people have stopped believing in it—not out of cynicism, but because their experience tells them it’s no longer real.

“They feel left out. They feel like these people don’t represent me,” Slotkin said, referring to traditional political institutions. Her proposed solution goes beyond policy and into representation: recruiting and supporting young, dynamic leaders to run for office. “If you know a young person who’s pissed and mad and engaged, you should be asking them year after year to run.”

Slotkin emphasized that economic justice and political engagement are interlinked. Restoring faith in democracy, she argued, requires demonstrating that elected leaders can and will take action to improve people’s daily lives—especially for those starting out with fewer advantages.

According to Slotkin, rebuilding trust with the government starts with ensuring that public dollars go to something that supports the public, not a corporation.