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As the bellwether for many policy ideas, California could take the lead once again. Democratic Assemblyman Evan Low has introduced a bill to create a universal basic income for state residents.
The Hill reports that the bill, AB 2712, faces an uphill battle despite its limitations—the proposed California Universal Basic Income Program does exempt people already using Medi-Cal, County Medical Services Program, CalFresh, CalWorks or Unemployment Insurance from receiving what would be a $1,000 monthly payment for residents over 18.
The money to finance those payments would come from a new 10 percent value-added tax on goods and services in the state, although the proposed tax would not apply to "medicine, medical supplies and equipment, educational materials, including textbooks, tuition or fees for education, food, groceries, and clothing."
Not only does the bill have to clear committee, it will then have to be approved by both houses of the state's legislature.
The city of Stockton in California already has embarked on the universal basic income experiment, which began in April of 2019, although its mayor is not totally supportive of Low's version because of its exemptions. Stockton provides a $500 monthly stipend to 130 residents for a total of 18 months.
Michael Tubbs, Stockton's mayor, tweeted about the new proposed legislation that he was "still opposed to any plan that would exclude those on existing benefits or have them give up their benefits in exchange for a ubi, especially while other people not on benefits do not have to lose anything to gain."
Former presidential candidate Andrew Yang, who withdrew from the presidential race earlier this month, had also proposed a universal basic income of $1,000 per month as a major plank of his platform.
And Finland had engaged in a UBI experiment that has since terminated; data indicate that it resulted in better health and well-being among the recipients.
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Marlene Satter
Marlene Y. Satter has worked in and written about the financial industry for decades.
