The Californer - Pre-State of the Union Town Hall to Elevate the Real State(s) of the Union

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People-powered event counters Trump's State of the Union by lifting up everyday Americans struggling while billionaires thrive

PALO ALTO, Calif. - Californer -- On the eve of the State of the Union, mBOLDen Change is joining Families Over Billionaires and a coalition of partners for a nationally visible, people-powered town hall that puts working families at the center of the conversation before the President takes the podium.

"State(s) of the Union: For the People, Not Billionaires" brings together everyday Americans to share firsthand stories about the real conditions facing their households, from rising costs to shrinking safety nets. It will be livestreamed and open to the press.

While the Trump Administration prepares to mark its first year with claims of economic progress, families across the country are navigating a deepening affordability crisis driven by cuts to the programs they rely on most. This town hall is a direct counter to that narrative, grounding the State of the Union moment in lived experience, not talking points.

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"The federal budget debate happens in spreadsheets and floor speeches. But the impact lands at kitchen tables — in the choices families make between food, medication, rent, and childcare every month. Tonight, those families get the stage," said Minh Ngo, Executive Director and Board Chair of mBOLDen Change.

"The real State of the Union isn't found in a scripted speech — it's found in the lived experiences of people who are being hurt by decisions in Washington that prioritize the wealthy over everyone else," said Kristen Crowell, Executive Director of Families Over Billionaires, who will moderate the event.

EVENT DETAILS

What: State(s) of the Union: For the People, Not Billionaires
When: Monday, February 23, 6:30 p.m. ET
Where: Eastern Market, Washington, D.C.

Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@familiesoverbillionaires and https://www.mboldenchange.org/

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Participants will share lived experiences that reflect the consequences of federal policies championed by Trump and Congressional Republicans, including:

Health Care: Medicaid cuts, ACA premium spikes, and clinic closures
Food Security: Loss of SNAP dollars and cuts to school meal programs
Child Care: Funding freezes, job losses, and center closures
Special Education: Reduced IDEA supports for students with disabilities
Clean Energy: Cuts to renewables while energy costs rise

At a moment when the costs of federal policy choices are being pushed onto the families least able to absorb them, this "State(s) of the Union" event will make clear: the people see what's happening, and they are demanding accountability and solutions.

mBOLDen Change's Safety Net Simulator — a publicly available interactive tool that translates federal safety net cuts into real household tradeoffs — is available as a resource for attendees, partners, and the public at www.mboldenchange.org/simulator.