Foundation Economics is a people-first economic plan built around one simple idea: our economy should strengthen households so they can participate fully — as workers, consumers, parents, and neighbors — instead of forcing families to patch together survival with credit cards and paycheck-to-paycheck living. It is not protectionism that punishes consumers — it is a positive, market-friendly strategy that rewards businesses for investing in American workers, pays people a living wage, and uses corporate tax policy to align private incentives with the public good.
Core policy tools and how they work:
Tax incentives for hiring people who live in the United States.
Offer meaningful, refundable tax credits to companies that create and maintain jobs for U.S. citizens (full-time equivalent basis), with larger credits tied to higher, career-building wages, training, and benefits. Credits would be structured to reward durable job creation (e.g., credit earned after a 12-month retention period) and include extra incentives for hiring from high-unemployment or disadvantaged communities.
Raise and repurpose corporate tax revenue.
Modestly increase the corporate tax rate and dedicate a portion of the additional revenue to fund the hiring credits, workforce training grants, and infrastructure investments that expand domestic capacity. The goal is to make hiring workers who live in the United States more profitable for companies without resorting to blunt, consumer-costly tariffs.
Incentives for American labor even when work is done abroad.
Where appropriate, allow taxable benefits for companies that employ American citizens in roles tied to U.S. product development, oversight, or payroll — including remote or overseas work that keeps income flowing to American households — provided the employment is verifiable and meets standards for meaningful economic contribution. Safeguards and reporting requirements will prevent abuse and protect against simply re-labeling outsourced labor.
A living-wage floor instead of a bare minimum.
Replace the race-to-the-bottom minimum with a living-wage standard that reflects local cost of living (indexed annually), ensuring wages are sufficient to meet basic needs. Employers who meet the living-wage standard qualify for stronger tax incentives; those who do not face graduated penalties and lose access to credits.
Tie credits to workforce development and retention.
Credits are maximized when employers invest in training, clear career pathways, paid leave, and measurable retention — shifting the focus from low-cost hires to high-quality, stable employment.
Why this approach beats tariffs and blind subsidies:
It centers American consumers, not corporate lobbyists.
Instead of imposing tariffs that raise prices for Arizona families, Foundation Economics makes it financially smarter for a company to hire and retain American labor.
It expands purchasing power without inflationary pressure from protectionism.
Higher, stable wages put money directly into households, increasing demand for locally produced goods and services and reducing the need for consumer debt.
It leverages the private sector for public benefit.
By aligning tax incentives with real employment and training outcomes, the policy mobilizes private investment in workforce development rather than relying solely on government hiring or punitive measures.
It is enforceable and accountable.
Credits are refundable only after verification periods, subject to audits and clawbacks for fraud or short-term gaming.
The economic logic is straightforward:
When more workers earn living wages and keep more of their paychecks in their communities, local businesses grow, state and federal tax bases expand, and the economy becomes less dependent on credit and precarious work. Foundation Economics is a practical, pro-worker, pro-growth agenda — one that rewards companies for contributing to shared prosperity while using corporate tax policy to fund the transition.