Latest news with #LegislatorsforaGuaranteedIncome
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Democrats support bills guaranteeing cash for low-income
(NewsNation) — A group of Democratic lawmakers from 17 states is hoping to garner support for legislation that would provide recurring cash payments to low-income residents as a way of alleviating poverty in the United States. The group of 20 Democrats launched 'Legislators for a Guaranteed Income' this week. The newly formed group will partner with a network of 245 mayors and local officials who have attempted to introduce similar pilot programs around the country, according to a news release issued by the group. The organization said that there are 25 proposed bills across 11 states that are seeking to establish some sort of guaranteed payments to low-income residents. Proposed legislation has been introduced in California, Illinois, Tennessee and North Carolina. Where do the DOGE stimulus checks stand? The California bill, introduced by State Sen. Dave Cortese, would provide recurring guaranteed cash payments to homeless teens as they transition into adulthood. The Tennessee bill, which is sponsored by State Rep. Justin Pearson, would offer eligible residents $3,000 per year. Under the California bill, eligible teens would receive four monthly $1,000 payments as part of a program that would cost $40 million to $50 million, reported. Despite the cost, Democrats see value in the investment. Cortese said he believes homeless teens deserve more than a chance to survive, but instead 'a real chance to thrive,' Cortese said in a statement issued by the organization. Other Democrats agreed that those in need would benefit from legislation aimed at cutting down on poverty. 'We need leaders of moral courage who see the world as it is and are ready to fight for a vision of what it can be,' Pearson, the Tennessee Democrat, said in a released statement. 'The call for guaranteed income that Dr. (Martin Luther) King put out is being answered today by hundreds of cities and counties across the nation, and I'm proud to expand the movement by joining Legislators for a Guaranteed Income.' How Karen Read's past media interviews could hurt her at trial The mayor's group claims that more Americans are struggling to make ends meet as the cost of living continues to rise. Many of those work multiple jobs, the organization said, and yet more than one in three Americans are considered to be part of the working poor. In addition, 63% of working Americans do not have enough money saved to cover a $500 emergency if needed. The push for guaranteed income arose after a 2019 experiment in Northern California, where 125 residents received $500 per month for two months. Researchers found that participants saw their financial stability increase after being assisted through the pilot program, reported. 'The work-around guaranteed income is moving from cities and counties to states,' Michael Tubbs, the former mayor of Stockton, Calif., where the experiment took place, told the online news organization. 'We're going to be organizing state officials across the country who see what we all see: that affordability is an issue, that the Trump tariffs and gross mismanagement of the economy has made the problem even worse.' Yet, as Democrats push to gain support for more legislation to assist low-income residents, Republicans argue that those types of legislation encourage those people not to work. 'If you get people addicted to just getting a check from the government, it's going to be really hard to take that away,' former South Dakota Republican State Sen. John Wiik told Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
State lawmakers launch group to spur 'guaranteed income' cash to residents
Apr. 29—To California Democratic state Sen. David Cortese, the idea of gaining Republican support for a bill to provide cash to certain residents would have seemed impossible just a few years ago. But his proposed legislation to offer $1,000 per month to homeless youth has so far received bipartisan support in the state Senate. "It's being embraced," said Cortese. "This was not even considered possible five years ago." Cortese is among more than 20 Democratic lawmakers from 17 states launching Legislators for a Guaranteed Income on Tuesday to advocate for programs that provide direct, regular cash payments to lower-income residents to help alleviate poverty. They join a network of more than 245 mayors and county officials who have pursued dozens of basic income pilot projects across the country. The lawmakers want to see states play a larger role in guaranteed income programs, which aim to help residents in need by handing out no-strings-attached cash. The concept of basic income programs took off following a 2019 experiment in Stockton, California. There, 125 individuals received $500 per month for two years, which researchers found improved their financial stability and health. Michael Tubbs, the former Democratic mayor of Stockton and current executive chairman of Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, said these kinds of efforts are more important now as economic uncertainty and high prices squeeze the most vulnerable people. "The work around guaranteed income is moving from cities and counties to states," he said. "We're going to be organizing state officials across the country who see what we all see: that affordability is an issue, that the Trump tariffs and gross mismanagement of the economy has made the problem even worse." While the concept has gained traction across the country, Republican state lawmakers have pushed bills to ban basic income programs, arguing they disincentivize work. Last year, then-state Sen. John Wiik sponsored successful legislation banning South Dakota localities from launching basic income programs. At the time, the Republican said he was worried about people growing dependent upon the government. "So, if you get people addicted to just getting a check from the government, it's going to be really hard to take that away," he told Stateline. Legislators for a Guaranteed Income says its 23 members have so far introduced 25 bills across 11 states. The work around guaranteed income is moving from cities and counties to states. — Michael Tubbs, executive chairman of Mayors for a Guaranteed Income Those include Cortese's proposed legislation in California to create a new program to help homeless youth transition out of high school. Eligible students would receive four monthly payments of $1,000 each beginning in May. That bill, expected to cost $40 million to $50 million, has passed through two state Senate committees. Cortese previously advocated for a 2023 California program that was the nation's first state-funded pilot of a basic income program targeting former foster youth. He pointed to research showing basic income programs supplement, rather than replace, the need for work. And he said growing these programs can eventually reduce costs for other social safety net programs. "I'm so pleased to see the proliferation that we've seen so far," he said. "I think that it will become ubiquitous as a way of doing things and that's going to outlast me and my career." In Pennsylvania, Democratic state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta said he's still exploring details on legislation for a basic income program there. He said pilot projects across the country have proven that people pay rent, buy groceries and invest in small businesses when they have more financial freedom. "So, this isn't really some big experiment," he said. "It is a proven way to reduce poverty, improve health care, boost our local economies and really get a real return on that investment." Kenyatta said so-called trickle-down policies that aim to boost business interests and high earners have failed many ordinary people. "But basic income really flips that equation on its head," he said. "It's not about charity. It's about power, and about giving people the power and the resources to breathe." Stateline reporter Kevin Hardy can be reached at [email protected]. YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
State lawmakers launch group to spur ‘guaranteed income' cash to residents
A father plays outside with his son in Mount Vernon, N.Y. State lawmakers across the country are joining forces to pursue legislation for basic income programs to help reduce poverty. () To California Democratic state Sen. David Cortese, the idea of gaining Republican support for a bill to provide cash to certain residents would have seemed impossible just a few years ago. But his proposed legislation to offer $1,000 per month to homeless youth has so far received bipartisan support in the state Senate. 'It's being embraced,' said Cortese. 'This was not even considered possible five years ago.' Cortese is among more than 20 Democratic lawmakers from 17 states launching Legislators for a Guaranteed Income on Tuesday to advocate for programs that provide direct, regular cash payments to lower-income residents to help alleviate poverty. They join a network of more than 245 mayors and county officials who have pursued dozens of basic income pilot projects across the country. The lawmakers want to see states play a larger role in guaranteed income programs, which aim to help residents in need by handing out no-strings-attached cash. Red states fight growing efforts to give 'basic income' cash to residents The concept of basic income programs took off following a 2019 experiment in Stockton, California. There, 125 individuals received $500 per month for two years, which researchers found improved their financial stability and health. Michael Tubbs, the former Democratic mayor of Stockton and current executive chairman of Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, said these kinds of efforts are more important now as economic uncertainty and high prices squeeze the most vulnerable people. 'The work around guaranteed income is moving from cities and counties to states,' he said. 'We're going to be organizing state officials across the country who see what we all see: that affordability is an issue, that the Trump tariffs and gross mismanagement of the economy has made the problem even worse.' While the concept has gained traction across the country, Republican state lawmakers have pushed bills to ban basic income programs, arguing they disincentivize work. Last year, then-state Sen. John Wiik sponsored successful legislation banning South Dakota localities from launching basic income programs. At the time, the Republican said he was worried about people growing dependent upon the government. 'So, if you get people addicted to just getting a check from the government, it's going to be really hard to take that away,' he told Stateline. Legislators for a Guaranteed Income says its 23 members have so far introduced 25 bills across 11 states. The work around guaranteed income is moving from cities and counties to states. – Michael Tubbs, executive chairman of Mayors for a Guaranteed Income Those include Cortese's proposed legislation in California to create a new program to help homeless youth transition out of high school. Eligible students would receive four monthly payments of $1,000 each beginning in May. That bill, expected to cost $40 million to $50 million, has passed through two state Senate committees. Cortese previously advocated for a 2023 California program that was the nation's first state-funded pilot of a basic income program targeting former foster youth. He pointed to research showing basic income programs supplement, rather than replace, the need for work. And he said growing these programs can eventually reduce costs for other social safety net programs. 'I'm so pleased to see the proliferation that we've seen so far,' he said. 'I think that it will become ubiquitous as a way of doing things and that's going to outlast me and my career.' Child tax credits, long a liberal priority, find favor in Republican states In Pennsylvania, Democratic state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta said he's still exploring details on legislation for a basic income program there. He said pilot projects across the country have proven that people pay rent, buy groceries and invest in small businesses when they have more financial freedom. 'So, this isn't really some big experiment,' he said. 'It is a proven way to reduce poverty, improve health care, boost our local economies and really get a real return on that investment.' Kenyatta said so-called trickle-down policies that aim to boost business interests and high earners have failed many ordinary people. 'But basic income really flips that equation on its head,' he said. 'It's not about charity. It's about power, and about giving people the power and the resources to breathe.' Stateline reporter Kevin Hardy can be reached at khardy@ SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Associated Press
29-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
TWO DOZEN STATE LEGISLATORS JOIN NATIONAL GUARANTEED INCOME COALITION
Mayors for a Guaranteed Income announces Legislators for a Guaranteed Income WASHINGTON, April 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Mayors for a Guaranteed Income (MGI) and Counties for a Guaranteed Income (CGI) announced the expansion of its network of elected officials advocating for unconditional cash aid policies. Legislators for a Guaranteed Income (LGI) is starting with 23 founding members in 17 states. They join a network of over 230 Mayors and county officials championing unconditional cash policies. So far, MGI and CGI have launched a total of 72 guaranteed income pilots, which have distributed about $335 million in direct economic relief. Currently, there are 25 bills introduced in 11 states for some form of statewide guaranteed income program. At a time when key federal aid programs are being dismantled, the abundance of guaranteed income legislation in statehouses shows the increased leadership that state leaders are taking to pick up the slack and bolster economic stability for residents. LGI members have introduced legislation including: 'We need leaders of moral courage who see the world as it is and are ready to fight for a vision of what it can be,' said Tennessee State Representative Justin J. Pearson. 'The call for guaranteed income that Dr. King put out is being answered today by hundreds of cities and counties across the nation, and I'm proud to expand the movement by joining Legislators for a Guaranteed Income.' Partnering with independent researchers, this democratic groundswell is producing the largest body of data proving guaranteed incomeworks. Independent researchers have found higher rates of employment, improved financial stability, better housing and food security, and more time spent together as families, among other benefits. 'I began championing a guaranteed income as a County Supervisor in Santa Clara County, where we launched a pilot program for foster youth aging out of the system. In the California State Senate, I'm proud to have launched the first statewide GI program for foster youth and pregnant women in 2022 and this year I introduced SB 33 to provide homeless high school students with a guaranteed income to help them transition into college and careers,' said California State Senator Dave Cortese. 'A version of this legislation has already been piloted at the county level with state funding I secured. I believe youth in poverty deserve more than just survival—they deserve a real chance to thrive. That's why I'm proud to be a founding member of Legislators for a Guaranteed Income.' As the cost of living rapidly outpaces wage growth, more and more Americans are struggling to get by, despite working multiple jobs. More than one in three are considered working poor, and 63% of working Americans don't have enough saved to cover a $500 emergency–an increasingly common scenario as prices rise on many essentials. 'With the launch of Legislators for a Guaranteed Income, we are expanding our movement from one mayor in one city to more than 250 leaders in local and state government across the nation who believe we can increase economic opportunity with better policy,' said Michael D. Tubbs, founder and Co-Chair of Mayors for a Guaranteed Income. Founding members of Legislators for a Guaranteed Income: CA State Senator Dave Cortese CA State Assemblymember Matt Haney HI State Senator Chris Lee IA State Representative Elinor Levin IL State Senator Graciela Guzman IL State Senator Ram Villivalam MA State Representative Marjorie Decker MD State Senator Cory McCray MD State Delegate Gabriel Acevero MN State Representative Athena Hollins MN State Senator Clare Oumou Verbeten NC State Senator Natalie Murdock NY State Senator Andrew Gounardes OH State Representative Dontavius Jarrells OR State Senator Wlnsvey Campos PA State Representative Malcolm Kenyatta TN State Representative Justin J. Pearson TN State Senate Minority Leader Raumesh Akbari TX State Representative Ron Reynolds VT State Representative Jubilee McGill WA State Senator T'wina Nobles WA State House Speaker Laurie Jinkins WI State Assemblymember Francesca Hong Visit to learn more. Founded in June of 2020 by former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs, Mayors for a Guaranteed Income is a coalition of more than 180 mayors committed to advancing a federal guaranteed income – direct, recurring cash payments to middle and low-income people. Expanding to include city and county legislators in 2023 with Counties for a Guaranteed Income, the network acts as a research and resource hub for municipal pilots around the country–over 70 and counting. An award-winning documentary film, It's Basic, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in June 2023, follows recipients and illuminates the life-changing impact of guaranteed income programs on families' economic security and opportunity. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Mayors for a Guaranteed Income
