Los Angeles could become largest US city to trial universal basic income

[turbinetree]

$1,000-a-month per family pilot program in new budget
Stockton, Oakland and San Francisco have similar schemes

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Los Angeles may soon become the largest city in the US to introduce a universal basic income (UBI) program, joining its neighbors to the north – including Stockton, Oakland and San Francisco – in offering some residents a monthly cash boost with no strings attached.

The $24m LA program, introduced as part of Mayor Eric Garcetti’s budget proposal, released on Tuesday, would provide $1,000 a month to 2,000 families for a year if passed by the city council. Like most other UBI plans, those given the funds can use the money however they please.

“We’re betting that one small but steady investment for Angeleno households will pay large dividends for health and stability across our city and light a fire across our nation,” Garcetti tweeted on Monday, announcing the new plan with a nod to Dr Martin Luther King who, as part of the civil rights movement, called for guaranteed income programs that would work to eradicate poverty. “We’re showing what it takes to fulfill Dr King’s call for a basic income once and for all.”

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/apr/21/los-angeles-universal-basic-income

[demosincebirth]

1. Sounds like a great idea. There must be a "no" on what it can be spent on.

[qazplm135]

2. That's why it's a trial

To answer the question and criticism on what people would spend it on.

[Bayard]

3. Very progressive, and necessary

While other states are passing laws to limit voting and free speech.

[bahboo]

4. good...as far as I know, this has proved beneficial...

in the communities that have tried it.

[MichMan]

5. How is it universal?