TimScott
Republican
Senator,
South Carolina
Growing up, my
single mother—
my rock and big-
gest supporter—
worked 16-hour
days as a nurse’s
assistant to keep
a roof over our
heads. I failed
four classes in
high school and
almost didn’t
graduate. So
when people
talk about the
“working poor” in
America, I have
a first-hand
account.
We need to make
sure that folks
who grew up in
poverty like I did
have open doors.
My Opportunity
Zones legisla-
tion aims to help
economically
underdeveloped
communities re-
alize their full po-
tential. Investors
and philanthro-
pists who fund
projects in these
areas can defer
capital gains
taxes, allowing
for job creation
and economic
growth.
—As told to
Jake Meth
VIEW
73
FORTUNE.COM// JA N.1 .19
BY DAY I’M DEALING WITH cr ying kids and irate parents, and by night I’m dealing
with drunks and crazy people. Each year we get a raise, but for the past two
years, we haven’t. My kids are getting bigger. My bills are more. And my in-
come (about $42,500) is staying the same. Now when my kids are home with
me on the weekends, it’s during the day, and I’m sleeping because I’ve worked
all night. And by the time I wake up, it’s time to feed them, bathe them, and
then take them back to their dad’s. I love my job, but I want to find something
where I can work a straight nine-to-five and be okay.—AS TOLD TOARICJENKINS
Bright lights, big bills in NewYork City
Her nine-to-five medical billing job doesn’t pay enough, so
momof two Kamik Chin drives for Uber.
SC
OT
T:^
CH
IP^
SO
MO
DE
VIL
LA
—G
ET
TY
IM
AG
ES