What will it take for Donald Trump or Kamala Harris to win Pennsylvania—arguably the most important state in the 2024 election?

The answer is simple. They must address the worries that I've heard from Pennsylvanians every day for the past few years. For most of that time, I worked in home construction, and virtually everyone I talked to about this told me the same thing: The cost of living is out of control.

Different people expressed this fear in different ways. Our potential homebuyers told us they couldn't afford the homes they wanted, because prices were soaring. Our workers were affected too, because even after big pay raises, the cost of groceries and everyday goods rose even faster. Our suppliers and small business partners told us that materials were getting more expensive, so they had to pass the costs to us. No matter where I went or who I talked to, the message was (and still is) the same: Life is unaffordable—and getting worse by the day.

My experience isn't unique. The Commonwealth Foundation, where I now work, has surveyed Pennsylvanians over the last two years. Without fail, our fellow citizens have named "Inflation" and "Cost of Living" as their top concerns. No wonder: They've seen double-digit price hikes and wages that can't keep up. As they get ready to vote, they're looking for a leader who........

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