California legislators approved Thursday the first guaranteed income plan funded by the state of California. It provides $35 million per month in cash payments to eligible pregnant women and young adults who have recently been released from foster care. There are no restrictions on how the money can be spent.
These votes, which were 36-0 in Senate and 64-0 respectively in Assembly, showed bipartisan support for the idea that is gaining momentum in all parts of the country. Numerous local programs have been created in recent years. Some of these have been privately funded. This makes it easier for elected officials and the public to endorse the idea.
California’s plan, which is taxpayer-funded, could be a model for other states.
Scott Wilk, Senate Republican Leader, stated that “if you look at stats for foster youth they are devastating.” “We must do everything we can to help these young people.”
After lawmakers approved one the state budget trailer bills in Sacramento, Calif. on Thursday, July 15, Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), gives a double thumbs-up to a colleague.
Local governments and other organizations will apply for the funds and manage their programs. Who gets funding will be determined by the state Department of Social Services. California legislators left it up for local officials to decide the amount of monthly payments. These payments typically range from $500 to $1,000 in existing programs across the country.
The vote was taken on the same day that millions of parents started receiving their first monthly payment under a temporary expansion to the federal child credit, which many consider a form guaranteed income.
Michael Tubbs, an advisor of Gov., stated that “now there is momentum, and things are moving fast.” Gavin Newsom was a pioneer when he established a guaranteed income program for Stockton’s mayor. “The federal government is our next stop.”
Many government assistance programs have had rigid rules for how money could be spent over the years. This has often limited benefits like housing or food. A guaranteed income program, however, gives money to anyone without any restrictions on how they can spend it. This is done to decrease the stress of poverty, which can cause problems in health and make it more difficult for people to find work.
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State Sen. Dave Cortese from San Jose, a Democrat, said that “it changes the philosophy from big brother government knows best for you’.” “We have been extremely prescriptive in our approach to that population, both as a state as well as as with the counties. Take a look at the failures. They don’t even get their high school diplomas.