Universal Basic Income

California Divide

They’re getting $1,000 a month for 3 years. How guaranteed income is changing lives in L.A. County

L.A. County’s Breathe program gives participants $1,000 monthly for three years, more money over a longer period than similar programs.

By Alejandra Reyes-Velarde • January 30, 2024

California Divide

Stockton guaranteed income study finds pandemic dampened positive results

A final study on Stockton’s famous experiment giving low-income residents unconditional cash found the money improved some recipients’ mental health and financial stability – but only during “normative” economic conditions.

By Jeanne Kuang • April 12, 2023

WhatMatters

California Legislature tackles food chemicals, facial recognition, transgender kids and more

The Legislature is back this week from spring recess and already things are getting busy.  CalMatters’ Julie Cart reports that a bill that would outlaw five chemicals in food products passed the Assembly health committee Tuesday after a robust debate — and a little snacking. The so-called Skittles Bill prompted both a freewheeling discussion of […]

By Lynn La • April 12, 2023

California Divide

More than 12,000 Californians are getting cash from guaranteed income experiments

State and local governments, and some private funders, are launching dozens of pilot projects making direct, monthly payments to low-income residents to help meet basic needs. Researchers will study what happens next. Key question: will this money add to, reform, or supplant current welfare programs?

By Jeanne Kuang • February 14, 2023

California Divide

With a guaranteed income, you can buy precious time with your family, say California parents

Los Angeles and Oakland parents who received monthly cash without restrictions from new pilot programs said it did more than help them pay bills. What they gained, they said, was priceless — more time with their children.

By Jeanne Kuang • February 14, 2023

Politics

What would Eleni Kounalakis do next as California lieutenant governor?

In a 50-minute interview with CalMatters, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis talks about what she can and can't do in the job on higher education, income inequality, offshore oil drilling and other issues. She also discusses her political ambitions.

By Alexei Koseff • September 22, 2022

California Divide

California senator proposes checks for low-income, homeless high school seniors

A state senator wants to send no-strings-attached checks to homeless high school seniors in California, where basic income programs are beginning to “feel a lot more like a movement.”

By Jeanne Kuang • April 7, 2022

California Divide

Former Stockton mayor launches nonprofit to end poverty in California

Michael Tubbs, who now serves as an economic advisor to Gov. Gavin Newsom, announces a new nonprofit called End Poverty In California (EPIC) to advocate for statewide policies to reduce the wealth gap.

By Alejandro Lazo • February 10, 2022

California Divide

$500 a month without strings: Bay Area’s latest guaranteed income program

Lea este artículo en español. South San Francisco this month sent out the first $500 monthly checks to around 150 low-income families to spend however they see fit. South San Francisco is the latest Bay Area city to launch a guaranteed income pilot program – in which participants receive monthly cash payments with no strings attached – […]

By Jesse Bedayn • November 30, 2021

California Divide

Universal basic income? California moves to be first state to fund pilot efforts

California lawmakers OK funding programs to guarantee some people — especially foster youth and pregnant women — an income floor.

By Jesse Bedayn • July 16, 2021