Statement on the American Rescue Plan
March 10, 2021, Stockton, CA - As a coalition of more than 40 mayors from across the country, every day we see people who are working hard to make ends meet, but our economy doesn’t even meet them halfway. Our communities continue to need relief while we recover from the ongoing, devastating pandemic and as we rebuild toward a more equitable, financially-secure society.
We commend our Congressional leaders, President Biden and Vice President Harris for putting forth the American Rescue Plan -- one of the largest expansions of direct cash policies in our country’s history -- to put our economy back on track. The legislation to expand the Child Tax Credit in this bill marks a major shift in benefits policy from a punitive stance embraced by Reagan and Clinton to one that actually aims to solve the root problems of poverty by providing families with children an unrestricted, monthly cash stipend.
And, the one-time direct payments to individuals will also quickly send desperately-needed stimulus money to most Americans. One check, however, is not enough -- more than 40% of people who expect to receive a payment in the next round of relief say a $1,400 check would last them a month or less, and 70% say it will last less than three months. Our constituents, and all struggling Americans, need monthly cash infusions for real relief. We’ve seen repeatedly, most recently in the outcomes of the Stockton Economic Empowerment Demonstration (SEED), that the quickest and most direct way to help people and the economy is by putting money directly into people’s pockets. Congress has taken a huge step forward. Our next step must be committing to recurring checks for all those who need it most, which is why we’re encouraging Senators to sign on to a letter to the Administration urging the President to include recurring direct payments and automatic unemployment insurance extensions tied to economic conditions in his long-term economic plan.
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CONTACT: Saadia McConville
info@mayorsforagi.org
Newark, NJ Adopts Guaranteed Income Resolution
February 25, 2021, Newark, NJ - In a unanimous decision, the Newark City Council has voted in support of a resolution to establish a guaranteed income. The resolution further solidifies the city’s commitment to advancing cash-based policies under the leadership of Mayor Ras J. Baraka, a member of Mayors for a Guaranteed Income (MGI).
"Like too many cities across the country, we in Newark are feeling the intense pressure of economic fallout. Direct support in the form of cash payments allows members of our community to regain a semblance of control in the midst of a crisis that has stripped so much of it away,” said Mayor Baraka. “It's on us as local leaders to work together and provide this critical financial lifeline to residents of our cities, and beyond."
The full text of the resolution, passed on February 3, can be found here.
Founded in June of 2020 by former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs, MGI is a coalition of 40 mayors committed to advancing a federal guaranteed income – direct, recurring cash payments to the poor and middle class.
MGI member cities are eligible for up to $500,000 in pilot funding, thanks to a recent $15M donation by Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey. A pilot in Newark is planned to launch in early 2021, with details currently being finalized. In addition to pilots, MGI also advocates for cash-based policies at the federal level. There are currently at least 10 Congressional bills to provide pandemic-related payments to struggling Americans, and support for $2,000 checks helped drive the Democratic Senate wins in Georgia.
MGI, together with the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice, has also established the Center for Guaranteed Income Research to consolidate the key learnings from the pilots taking place in MGI member cities to address knowledge gaps and allow the organization to layer data with anecdotal evidence.
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CONTACT: Saadia McConville
info@mayorsforagi.org
Gainesville, FL Adopts Guaranteed Income Resolution
February 24, 2021, Gainesville, FL - In a unanimous decision, the Gainesville City Commission has voted in support of a resolution to establish a guaranteed income program. This resolution shows support for people with a criminal record to receive a recurring monthly income for up to two years to help them get back on their feet, and solidifies Gainesville’s commitment to creating an income floor under the leadership of Mayor Lauren Poe, a member of Mayors for a Guaranteed Income (MGI).
“In the wake of the pandemic and its massive economic toll, guaranteed income stands out as a necessary tool to address the inequality pervading our communities'' said Mayor Poe. “This first of its kind program provides a cushion to those who can least afford to bear the burden of income instability.”
The full text of the resolution, passed on February 18th, can be found here.
Founded in June of 2020 by former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs, MGI is a coalition of 36 mayors committed to advancing a federal guaranteed income – direct, recurring cash payments to the poor and middle class.
A pilot in Gainesville is planned to launch in 2021, with details currently being finalized. MGI member cities are eligible for up to $500,000 in pilot funding, thanks to a recent $15M donation by Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey. In addition to pilots, MGI also advocates for cash-based policies at the federal level. There are currently at least 10 Congressional bills to provide pandemic-related payments to struggling Americans, and support for $2,000 checks helped drive the Democratic Senate wins in Georgia.
MGI, together with the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice, has also established the Center for Guaranteed Income Research to consolidate the key learnings from the pilots taking place in MGI member cities to address knowledge gaps and allow the organization to layer data with anecdotal evidence.
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CONTACT: Saadia McConville
info@mayorsforagi.org
Washington Post & Time ads call for recurring checks
This full-page ad ran in the 2/1/21 edition of Time Magazine.
This full-page ad ran in the 1/21/21 edition of the Washington Post
Ithaca, NY Adopts Guaranteed Income Resolution
January 22, 2021, Ithaca, NY - In a unanimous decision, the City of Ithaca Common Council has voted in support of a resolution to establish a guaranteed income. The resolution further solidifies the city’s commitment to advancing cash-based policies under the leadership of Mayor Svante Myrick, a member of Mayors for a Guaranteed Income (MGI).
“The past year has shown us how quickly financial security can evaporate in the face of an unpredictable world and an economy that is more unequal than ever” said Mayor Myrick. “Guaranteed income provides financial stability to those who need it most, ensuring that no one falls through the cracks.”
The full text of the resolution, passed on January 6, can be found here. The adopted resolution required one small modification in changing references from Senate Majority Leader McConnell to Senator Chuck Schumer.
Founded in June of 2020 by former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs, MGI is a coalition of 34 mayors committed to advancing a federal guaranteed income – direct, recurring cash payments to the poor and middle class.
MGI member cities are eligible for up to $500,000 in pilot funding, thanks to a recent $15M donation by Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey. A pilot in Ithaca is planned to launch in 2021, with details currently being finalized. In addition to pilots, MGI also advocates for cash-based policies at the federal level. There are currently at least 10 Congressional bills to provide pandemic-related payments to struggling Americans, and support for $2,000 checks helped drive the Democratic Senate wins in Georgia.
MGI, together with the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice, has also established the Center for Guaranteed Income Research to consolidate the key learnings from the pilots taking place in MGI member cities to address knowledge gaps and allow the organization to layer data with anecdotal evidence.
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CONTACT: Saadia McConville
info@mayorsforagi.org
MGI Applauds Gov. Newsom’s Golden State Stimulus Proposal
Michael D. Tubbs, former Stockton Mayor and founder and chair of Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, released this statement following Governor Newsom’s call for a “Golden State Stimulus” which would provide $600 to EITC-eligible Californians:
“In a pandemic and economic crisis, people need cash to survive. Even if people have the ability to stay home, the bills keep coming. The Golden State Stimulus will provide a badly needed boost to the federal $600 check and enables the most economically vulnerable California families to decide how to best spend their money - providing a lifeline and a sense of dignity to recipients. As we saw in the Stockton guaranteed income demonstration, people use cash for basic needs - food, utilities and childcare. Mayors for a Guaranteed Income applauds this step by Governor Newsom to put money in the pockets of struggling families. Our state continues to lead the way on cash-based policies, with guaranteed income pilots underway or in the works in Compton, Long Beach, Los Angeles and Oakland.
While these city and state steps are important, we need to go further, which is why we are calling on federal leaders to adopt guaranteed income: recurring, no-strings attached cash payments. As we see in guaranteed income pilots led by mayors throughout the country, direct cash builds economic resilience and ensures everyone has a floor so that if a pandemic or other emergency occurs occurs, we are able to feed our families, go to the doctor, pay our bills and keep our economy going. As we transition to the Biden-Harris Administration and the opportunity to pass meaningful relief with Democratic control of both chambers of Congress, we urge federal lawmakers to pass recurring cash payments immediately.”
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