The Five Pillars of Plenty

There is enough for everyone when we build public systems that are simple, fair, and reliable. Project Plenty takes on the myth of scarcity with practical solutions people can see and use.

Plenty of Work & Wages

Plenty of Work & Wages

Work should add up to a life. If you put in the hours, one job should be enough to cover rent, food, healthcare, and a little breathing room. We counter the myth of scarcity by making paychecks predictable, workplaces safer, and benefits portable—so people aren't punished for changing jobs, industries, or seasons of life.

What we're building

  • Livable wages and fair scheduling
  • Portable benefits that follow you job-to-job and gig-to-gig
  • Safer, more respectful workplaces with a real voice on the job
  • Free vocational training that connects people to good local jobs

How life gets easier

Rural towns see steady, decent-paying jobs close to home. Suburban workers keep their benefits during career changes or caregiving. Urban workers see wage growth and safer conditions. Everywhere, one job goes further—and people get time back.

Proof in practice

California CTE credentials are associated with sizable wage gains (certificates ≈ 14–28%, degrees ≈ 45%).

Sources:US DOL CLEAR—CA CTE returnsUC Davis CPIR brief

Pre‑apprenticeship → apprenticeship pipelines produce stable, living‑wage careers, especially for workers facing barriers.

Sources:SCAG Apprenticeships report (2025)CAI Pre‑Apprenticeship (Building Trades)

Policymakers are piloting portable benefits models for gig/independent workers.

Sources:Brookings explainer (2025)Commonwealth Foundation pilot summary (2025)
Plenty of Care & Education

Plenty of Care & Education

Care is infrastructure. When reliable care and learning are in place, people can work, study, and participate in community life without constant crisis mode. We invest in care you can count on and practical, job-connected learning so everyone has a fair shot at opportunity.

What we're building

  • Universal, affordable childcare
  • An Elder Care Corps so loved ones can be safe and supported, including at home when possible
  • Paid family leave people can actually use
  • Free vocational training, apprenticeships, and certifications tied to in-demand local jobs

How life gets easier

Shift workers can actually take shifts. Caregivers don't have to choose between a paycheck and a parent. Young adults and career-switchers train quickly for roles local employers need—without debt.

Proof in practice

Center‑based infant care consumes ~8–28% of median incomes across CA—far above the 7% affordability benchmark.

Sources:PPIC testimony (2025)HHS 7% benchmark (2024 rule)

Employers report neutral/positive productivity and cost impacts from paid family leave in CA/NJ.

Sources:Paid Leave Works—CA/NJ/RI evidencePaid Leave is Good for Business

Free vocational training and short‑term certificates deliver measurable earnings gains.

Sources:US DOL CLEAR—CA CTE returnsUC Davis CPIR brief
Plenty of Homes & Health

Plenty of Homes & Health

A stable home and guaranteed healthcare are basics. Housing and health systems should keep people rooted, healthy, and moving forward—especially when life throws curveballs. We expand supply where it's needed, stabilize rents, and make care easy to access and afford.

What we're building

  • Social and workforce housing options aligned to local incomes
  • Strong tenant protections and lifeline utilities to keep people housed
  • Guaranteed, affordable healthcare—including primary and mental health—close to home
  • Energy-efficient homes and clinics that cut bills and improve air quality

How life gets easier

Rural communities get attainable homes near clinics and jobs. Suburbs see family-sized rentals and first-time buyer paths. Cities cut surprise evictions and bring walk-to-care access.

Proof in practice

78–79% of extremely low‑income CA renter households are severely rent‑burdened (>50% income to rent).

Sources:CA Housing Partnership—State Housing Needs Report 2025NLIHC—California housing needs

State law (AB 1482) caps most annual rent hikes and sets "just cause" for evictions—baseline stability while supply grows.

Sources:Berkeley Rent Board overviewCAA explainer

California's uninsured rate has fallen to near historic lows after Medi-Cal expansions and Covered California.

Sources:CHCF explainerUC Berkeley Labor Center estimate for 2024
Plenty of Time & Trust

Plenty of Time & Trust

Time is the most democratic resource—and too many people lose hours to broken systems. When public goods are simple, fast, and reliable, people gain time back, and trust grows. We upgrade the everyday: how we move, connect online, and navigate services.

What we're building

  • Free, frequent, safe public transit that runs when people need it
  • Fast, affordable broadband for every home and business
  • Clear, hands-on civic navigation so people get what they qualify for—without the runaround
  • A Community Service Corps focused on real local needs
  • Guaranteed basics so no one falls through the cracks

How life gets easier

Rural residents get broadband that works for ranching, homework, and small shops. Suburban commuters cut trip time and hassle. Urban riders count on safe, free transit. Everywhere, people spend less time fighting systems and more time living their lives—and trust follows.

Proof in practice

Student/youth fare-free transit expands access and ridership.

Sources:LA Metro GoPassGoPass research analysis (2024)SFMTA—Free Muni for All Youth

Better bus corridors save time and reduce crashes.

Sources:SFGATE—Geary quick-build outcomes

The digital gap persists—especially in rural areas.

Sources:CPUC Home Broadband Adoption Report (2025)PPIC—Digital Access in California (2025)

Simple cash supports stability and work.

Sources:UPenn—SEED health/work findingsSEED—results newsroomEvidence for Action—SEED dashboard

Lifeline keeps phones (and access) on.

Sources:CPUC California LifeLineCalifornia LifeLine site
Plenty of Power

Plenty of Power

Energy is a public good. Power should be clean, reliable, and affordable—owned or guided by the communities it serves. Project Plenty accelerates California's clean-electricity goals while lowering bills, building local resilience, and creating good jobs in every region.

What we're building

  • Community and public power options (e.g., Community Choice Aggregators and municipal utilities) that keep decisions local and rates competitive
  • Community solar + storage so renters and households without rooftops can save on bills
  • Resilient microgrids for neighborhoods, clinics, schools, and small businesses—especially in outage-prone and rural areas
  • Bill relief and efficiency through CARE/FERA discounts, weatherization, and electrification rebates (e.g., heat pumps)
  • Clean-grid build-out aligned with SB 100's 100% clean electricity by 2045, with near-term local wins

How life gets easier

Rural towns keep the lights on during outages with community microgrids. Suburbs see stable, predictable rates and neighborhood solar savings for renters. Cities cut pollution hot spots and keep clinics and cooling centers powered during heat waves. Everywhere, bills come down and reliability goes up.

Ready to work on these issues?