Talk:David Morales (politician)

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David Morales David Morales (born September 16, 1998) is an American politician and activist serving as the State Representative in the Rhode Island House of Representatives for Rhode Island's 7th district since 2021. The 7th district includes portions of Providence. He is a member of the democratic party. Morales garnered media attention and an enthusiastic following after defeating six-year incumbent and deputy majority leader, Daniel P. McKiernan as well as the Democratic Party’s endorsement, Angel Subevj, who obtained 28 percent and 23 percent, respectively.

Taking office at 22 years old, Morales made history as the youngest member of the Rhode Island House and one of the youngest Latino candidates elected to any state legislature. Morales attended the University of California, Irvine for his undergraduate degree in urban studies before transferring to Brown University where he earned his master’s degree in public administration. Before serving as a RI State Representative, Morales excelled in activism and worked a variety of odd jobs to help support his family.

Early life
Morales was born in Soledad, California, a city in Monterey County, on September 16th, 1998. He is the son of two Mexican immigrants and has a younger sister. His father struggled with drug and alcohol addiction before leaving the family and returning to Mexico when Morales was 8 years old. Frequently cited as his biggest inspiration, his mother worked multiple jobs, including customer service, and harvesting produce in fields to make ends meet.

Morales attended Soledad High School, graduating in 2016. While there, he enrolled in college-level courses and was a member of the high school’s speech and debate program where he discussed topics that sparked his interest in politics, such as raising the minimum wage. Morales held multiple jobs, including picking lettuce on the weekends under an illegal alias to support the family.

After high school, Morales attended the University of California, Irvine studying urban studies. Graduating at only 19, magna cum laude, he would become the youngest student to graduate from the University of California, Irvine’s School of Social Ecology.

In 2018, Morales moved to Providence, Rhode Island where he attended Brown University for a one-year Master's program. He graduated from Brown University in 2019, becoming the youngest graduate of the university’s Master of Public Administration program at 20 years old.

Early career
In 2017, before heading to Brown University, Morales relocated to Washington D.C. and interned for the US Department of Housing and Urban Development under the office of Davis-Bacon and Labor Standards where he aided in analyzing labor policy. After returning home, Morales interned for another company, TAIT and Associates, a private engineering firm.

Throughout his education, Morales continued to find his political voice. While attending the University of California, Irvine, Morales led a peaceful protest on campus in response to Donald Trump’s projected 2016 election win. He was also the Membership Chair of the school's College Democrats chapter and the Academic Student Senator in student government.

While attending Brown University, he became involved with the Young Democrats of Rhode Island, Democratic Socialists of America, Sunrise Rhode Island, Providence Democratic Socialists of America, as well as the immigrant rights organization, Never Again Action, Rhode Island. Morales also testified at the State House during his first month of residency in Providence, RI, in efforts to codify Roe v. Wade into Rhode Island law. Morales assisted Providence DSA lobby State Representatives to pass a PIPP, or percentage of income payment plan, to limit utility payments for low-income families. These experiences would later lead him to run for the State House.

Political positions
Morales is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America and endorses progressive policies. He has referenced Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as inspiration for his political campaigning. In three months, Morales has introduced over 20 bills.

Afforadble housing
Affordable housing is a pillar of Morales' platform. He supports adding a housing line item on Rhode Island's state budget. Morales also supports a proposed affordable housing bill that prohibits landlords from discriminating against people who receive housing subsidies. He supports Rhode Island advocacy groups and their push for legislation and programs that alleviate or reduce the financial burden for struggling citizens. Morales is campaigning for a program that assists families facing eviction by providing them with free legal assistance.

Tax policy
Morales is a proponent for reforming Rhode Island's tax code to reduce exemptions for major wealthy institutions. Despite being a Brown University alumni, Morales supports removing tax exemptions for the institution. He is in favor of passing legislation that allows cities to properly tax nonprofits, including Brown, Rhode Island School of Design, Johnson and Wales University. Morales states that by reforming tax policy, other state-wide needs can be met, such as making strides towards renewable energy and investing in education.

Labor rights
Morales is a supporter of raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour. Morales says, "Working people deserve economic dignity, regardless of their occupation. With higher wages, our people will have more 'spending power' which will help stimulate our local economy."

Environment
In regards to climate change, Morales supports policies striving for effective change. He has shown support for the Green New Deal and the Rhode Island bill, Act on Climate. He also supports more funding shifted into greenhouse gas reduction goals.

Education
Morales supports policies that improve the public school system, both locally and nationally. Since taking office, Morales introduced House Resolution 6027, a joint resolution funding $50,000 for the nonprofit, Inspiring Minds, Inc. which would aid in training volunteers to work with Providence elementary school students.

Afforadble health care
Morales supports universal access to affordable healthcare for all Rhode Island residents. Morales introduced Rhode Island House Bill 6208 limiting the amount insurance companies can charge customers for out-of-pocket costs relating to COVID-19. It also mandates free testing and vaccination for Rhode Island residents

Morales is also working to cap out-of-pocket expenses for Rhode Island residents' prescription drugs. He has proposed a $25 monthly cap on insulin and a $100 monthly cap on specialty drugs.

RIte track
Morales believes that RIte Track, a Rhode Island statewide Medicaid program, should include all children, regardless of their immigration status. In one interview, Morales stated, "Right now, we have 3,000 children in the state uninsured and the vast majority are low income or undocumented." With recent budget cuts and the growing number of uninsured peoples of Rhode Island and the exclusion of undocumented children, Morales hopes to revamp the program.

COVID-19 relief
Morales has publically criticized Rhode Island leaders and government officials for their response to COVID-19, citing their behaviors as careless. He advocates for a bill that would provide hazard pay to individuals working during the pandemic, including supermarket workers and restaurant servers. Morales is also in favor of enacting a moratorium on utility shut-offs during COVID-19 and other future public emergencies. Additionally, Morales calls on the importance of state aid for historically distressed cities impacted worse by the pandemic leaving residents to suffer.



Endorsements
Groups that endorsed Morales' candidacy include Reclaim RI, Rhode Island Working Families Party, Sunrise Providence, Providence DSA, and the RI Political Co-operative.

Rhode Island political figures who endorsed Morales' political agenda include House Minority Leader Blake A Filippi and Representative Anastasia Williams. .

Personal life
Morales maintains strong ties with his hometown, Soledad, California and the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood of Providence, RI.

In Soledad, he teaches youth the importance of the town saying, "Our potential is limitless and it is ultimately about the investments you’re willing to make for yourself, knowing you have the support of your family, your friends, and ultimately your community ."

Morales' heroes include Bernie Sanders, Malcolm X, and Shirley Chisholm. He also has an affinity for Spider-Man saying the Marvel character, “[Peter Parker] represents the working class,” Morales said in explaining his choice of the Spider-Man costume. “If you follow the comic, he’s usually poor and struggling. The average person can relate to him, and that’s what makes his story so beautiful.”

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