Two Community Organizers Explain How To Tackle Rising Costs And Rebuild Trust

Today's guests Katrina Manetta and Ren Nushaj

Prices keep rising while paychecks stand still, and too many neighbors are choosing between groceries, healthcare, and the light bill. We bring that reality home to Michigan’s 58th—Shelby Township, Utica, Sterling Heights, and Warren—and get specific about what state lawmakers can do right now. From halting utility rate hikes and mandating outage credits to restoring revenue sharing so cities can fix roads without asking residents to pay twice, we walk through practical levers that lower everyday costs and make public budgets show up on your block.

You’ll hear why local roots matter when crafting policy that actually fits a district, and how community organizing grew from five volunteers to over a thousand people willing to knock doors, host meetups, and help neighbors. We talk openly about money in politics and why refusing corporate PAC and dark money shapes priorities once elected. If your representative takes checks from utilities, can they really fight a rate increase? We think accountability starts with who funds the work and continues with how often we show up—in town halls, coffee hours, and your timeline.

We also dig into the hidden mechanics of affordability: city, county, state, and federal budgets are massive, yet residents rarely feel the impact. That disconnect fuels frustration and apathy. Our answer is to be doers, not talkers—translate line items into visible benefits, explain decisions in plain language, and invite critique. With a focus on results, a disciplined ground game, and a modern social media plan, we aim to earn trust the hard way: by delivering.

If you care about utility bills, road repairs, transparent budgets, and representatives who pick people over special interests, this conversation is for you. Listen, share with a neighbor, and tell us your top monthly expense that needs fixing. Subscribe for more candid, local-first policy talks, and leave a review to help others find the show.

https://katrinamanetta.com/

Katrina Manetta Facebook

https://www.ren4misenate.com/

https://www.facebook.com/RenNushajForStateSenate/