The city could give 2,000 families $1,000 a month in what would be the largest program of its kind in the country.

If approved, a $24 million guaranteed income program in Los Angeles would be "the largest experiment of its kind in the United States" to date, writes Libby Denkmann in LAist. "Under the proposal, dubbed 'BIG: LEAP' (Basic Income Guaranteed: L.A. Economic Assistance Pilot), 2,000 Angeleno families at or below the federal poverty line would receive $1,000 a month for one year, no strings attached."
Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti told LAist "For families who can't think past the next bill, the next shift or the next health problem that they have, we can give them the space to not only dream of a better life, but to actualize it." The plan will likely include additional selection criteria such as "supporting a child under the age of 18 and a demonstrated medical or financial hardship connected to COVID-19."
"If successful, the Los Angeles pilot would serve as a major proof-of-concept for direct cash assistance that is divorced from the work requirements attached to many safety net programs for poor Americans, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit."
The concept of guaranteed income is nothing new. According to Michael Tubbs, former mayor of Stockton and one of the first city officials to push for a guaranteed income program in their city, "Dr. King called for guaranteed income in 1967. But the pandemic really illustrated the ways the economy isn't working for many people," paving the way for more cities across the country to consider some type of cash assistance. "It's a really important time to revisit the assumptions that have been underlying our existing welfare programs," says Nika Soon-Shiong, program director for the city of Compton's guaranteed income program, which launched this January.
FULL STORY: $1,000 A Month, No Strings Attached: Garcetti Proposes A Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot In Los Angeles

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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