Economic Security Project Urges Local Taxes to Fund 60 California Guaranteed Income Pilots Permanently
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jun 13
Economic Security Project Urges Local Taxes to Fund 60 California Guaranteed Income Pilots Permanently
2 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 13
Summary
Economic Security Project said California should move from temporary cash pilots to a permanent guaranteed income system, with government funding replacing philanthropy and expiring federal pandemic aid.
Dedicated local taxes are among the options it recommends, alongside shifting affordability-focused spending into direct cash support as American Rescue Plan Act money must be fully spent by December.
California has launched more than 60 guaranteed income pilots, the most in the nation, and ESP’s state affiliate says it is working to turn those programs into lasting policy.
Cook County offers a model for that transition: after its 2022 pilot ended, commissioners approved $7.5 million in the local budget to continue guaranteed basic income without federal aid.
ESP, founded in 2016, says guaranteed income improves financial security, health and child outcomes, echoing arguments advanced by Mayors for Guaranteed Income and former Stockton mayor Michael Tubbs.