State Considering Universal Basic Income

What’s happening? In the 1960s President Richard Nixon is said to have supported universal basic income. We’ve seen cities like Stockton, CA find benefits from their universal basic income pilot project. Now New Mexico is considering adopting it statewide.

Why is this important? Las Cruces and Santa Fe are moving toward universal basic income. Santa Fe will pilot a program that they’ll call a “stability stipend” to provide 100 people under age 30 who have children and are attending Santa Fe Community College with monthly payments of at least $400.

How will this be important? it’s not as red/blue as you think. “Alaska has long offered its full-time residents an annual dividend based on the investment earnings on mineral royalties” Add to that Nixon backed the idea before Milton Friedman became the go-to.

Albuquerque Journal via Governing | New Mexico Considers Statewide Universal Basic Income