In Arizona, Republican legislators are aligning with a nationwide conservative movement to prohibit basic income schemes, known for their no-strings-attached financial aid.
Arizona Against Basic Income
A newly proposed state bill seeks to stop any city or county from implementing such income schemes. This bill, House Bill 2375, defines these programs as ones providing ‘unearned’ money for any purpose.
Aid for Low-Income Families
It’s worth noting that various U.S. cities are testing these basic income models, typically offering $500 to $1,000 monthly to those in lower income brackets.
Denver’s Program
An example is Denver’s program, which recently expanded, providing some individuals up to $1,000 monthly, leading to improved housing stability.
Housing and Homelessness
The appeal of basic income programs has surged recently, driven by factors like the housing affordability crisis, an increase in homelessness, the pandemic’s aftermath, and concerns over job losses due to AI advancements.
Tailored Income Programs
These programs are notably different from the universal basic income concept of $1,000 per month, popularized by entrepreneur Andrew Yang during his 2016 presidential campaign.
Specific Groups, Specific Aid
Unlike Yang’s proposal, where everyone would receive a standard payment, the emerging guaranteed basic income programs are tailored for specific population groups.
Republican Opposition
While these programs are generally less politically controversial than a universal basic income, they nonetheless attract some criticism.
Representative Lupe Diaz, a Republican from Arizona and the bill’s sponsor, has equated guaranteed income programs with socialism, as reported by the Arizona Mirror.
COVID-19 Funds for Financial Aid
Highlighting a specific instance, Diaz mentioned a 2022 initiative in the Phoenix area where 1,000 low-income families received $1,000 monthly for a year, funded by federal COVID-19 relief.
Phoenix Council’s Funds
The Phoenix City Council allocated $12 million of these funds to the program, targeting families earning below 80% of the median income, $63,200.
Texas Joins Basic Income Debate
Similar initiatives have emerged elsewhere, like in Harris County, Texas, where COVID-19 relief funds have also been utilized for guaranteed basic income.
Senator Questions Basic Income
This Texan program is currently under constitutional review by the state attorney general, following a challenge from a Republican state legislator in January.
Texas State Senator Paul Bettencourt has raised questions about the constitutionality of a Houston-area program that offers $500 monthly payments with no conditions.
Uplift Harris Program
Bettencourt’s inquiry coincided with the launch of the Uplift Harris program in Harris County, which includes Houston. Funded with over $20 million from federal COVID-19 relief, Uplift Harris aims to support eligible households with $500 monthly for up to 18 months.
48,000 Applications in Three Days
The program’s popularity was evident as it received over 48,000 applications within just three days, as reported by the Houston Chronicle.
Heated Nationwide Debate
The debate over basic income programs is heating up nationwide, with Republican legislators in various states expressing strong opposition.
Labeling Basic Income as ‘Socialism’
In Iowa, lawmakers have branded these initiatives as ‘socialism on steroids’ while proposing a bill akin to Arizona’s to prohibit them. South Dakota is similarly deliberating over a comparable bill.
Social Safety Nets vs. Income Programs
In Arizona, State Representative John Gillette, a Republican, has argued against guaranteed basic income programs, suggesting they undermine existing social safety nets by reallocating resources, as reported by the Arizona Mirror.
The Arizona bill is set for another reading in the legislature this Thursday.
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