Inflation is a leading concern for voters as they prepare to head to the polls this fall. And families are right to worry; prices rise faster than incomes as the costs of everyday life suddenly exceed household budgets, and a high-inflation environment puts pressure on the entire economy. But this Labor Day, states can fight back against inflation and open doors for workers with occupational licensing reform.

Most discussions about inflation focus on the cost of goods. However, the cost of labor is one of the biggest drivers of overall costs. A new study found occupational licensing affects more than 20% of workers in the United States. Existing requirements prohibit skilled individuals from joining the workforce, and when governments artificially limit the supply of workers, the price of work rises, taking the price of goods with it. Overall, inflation quickly follows.