AU professor explains what lawmakers can and can’t do about prices

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - As Democratic lawmakers prepare to take office in January, their promises on affordability will be part of their performance review, and an Augusta University economics professor says turning those promises into relief is not simple.Keisha Lance Bottoms, Jon Ossoff and Annie Andrews all made the rise in daily costs part of their campaigns. Affordability was a common theme across the country this election cycle, as many Democratic candidates highlighted rising costs.No quick fixSimon Medcalfe, an Augusta University economics professor, said there is no “quick fix” for inflation and high gas prices. He said senators and governors cannot directly influence prices at the store. Instead, he said, these talking points are about voter frustration and a desire for change.Medcalfe said many voters carried financial strain into the voting booth, but turning ballot-box promises into relief runs into economic reality. He said lawmakers often take the blame for bills they