Scott Santens
Editor of Basic Income Today
EDITOR’S PICKS
Albuquerque City Council agrees to use weed tax revenue for basic income pilot
Council agrees to use weed tax revenue basic income pilot program
Latest Articles
Trump’s New Plan for Acquiring Greenland Is UBI for Its Residents—on Americans’ Dime
The White House has a plan that sounds strikingly similar to a universal basic income scheme, or UBI.
Universal Basic Income Could Slash UK Benefit Costs and Boost Economy, Studies Show
Advocates argue that a well-designed UBI would streamline welfare payments, lift millions out of poverty, and increase financial security for workers—ultimately benefiting the broader economy.
The first German long-term study on unconditional basic income ended after three years. And it refutes a central argument from the critics.
The first long-term study on the unconditional basic income in Germany shows that it improves people’s happiness and mental health. Despite the financial support, recipients do not reduce their working hours more than others.
Income Inequality
I Worked Hard My Entire Life — Now I’m 70 And Broke. Something Has To Change In This Country.
“I don’t own a house. My IRA is long gone. The only thing my kids are likely to inherit right now is a pretty good object lesson in what not to do financially.”
Most Americans can’t afford life anymore — and they just don’t matter to the economy like they once did
Burns tries to stretch every dollar to maximize their quality of life on the family’s limited income.
Top 1 Percent Has Sapped $79T in Wealth From Bottom 90 Percent Since 1975
In 2023 alone, $3.9 trillion was sapped from the bottom 90 percent— enough to give every worker a $32,000 raise.
Pilots & Experiments
N.Y.C. Mayor Candidate Pitches Largest Guaranteed Income Program in U.S.
Adrienne Adams, the New York City Council speaker who is running for mayor, released a plan to provide guaranteed income for thousands of homeless families.
In new guaranteed basic income pilot, some Brookline Housing Authority residents will get direct monthly payments
BHA’s new “Resident Opportunity Initiative” is an expansion of its existing “Self Sufficiency Program” which is geared toward helping residents establish long-term financial stability.
Rashida Tlaib calls for cash payments to young people experiencing homelessness
The payments would be $1,400, or the adjusted fair market rent, per month for up to three years.
The Social Debate
New research will examine the use of welfare reform to tackle health inequalities
Members of a multidisciplinary team of researchers are beginning a two-year study to examine the case for transformative welfare policy and the impact on public health outcomes.
Independent Candidate For Parliament in Germany Runs on Universal Basic Income as a Human Right to Exist
Many independent candidates are running in the federal election, although they have little chance of making it in the German parliament.
New Brunswick poverty reduction plan stops short of universal income support
The threat of a recession has prompted renewed calls for some kind of income support from labour and social justice groups.
Success Stories
Cook County leaders are touting the success of their guaranteed income pilot program
With federal funding for guaranteed income spent, a committee will determine what’s next for the county program.
SFCC student says guaranteed basic income pilot ‘helpful in every way’
In the midst of it all and just 29 years old, she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Lawmakers look to expand California’s guaranteed income program
California started a $35 million guaranteed income program in 2023, giving people monthly checks for 12 to 18 months with no requirements on how to spend them. Now, some lawmakers are looking to find permanent funding for it.
The Basics of UBI
The history of universal basic income: The concept of UBI has been debated for centuries
Figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Richard Nixon supported versions of UBI.
The Freedom From Want and Basic Income
Human beings are not game pieces. We are not theoretical abstractions. We are animals. And like all animals we have needs that must be met or we will suffer greatly and die.
Universal basic income: ‘The power to say no and the freedom to say yes’
Scott Santens is the founder and CEO of the U.S.-based Income to Support All (ITSA) Foundation, and has been researching and advocating for Universal Basic Income (UBI) since 2013.
Workforce Automation
Bill Gates: Within 10 years, AI will replace many doctors and teachers—humans won’t be needed ‘for most things’
At the moment, expertise remains “rare,” Gates explained, pointing to human specialists we still rely on in many fields, including “a great doctor” or “a great teacher.”
Tennessee General Assembly passes Guaranteed Basic Income Act for eligible residents
This legislation seeks to address economic disparities and the growing concerns surrounding job displacement due to automation.
OpenAI declares AI race “over” if training on copyrighted works isn’t fair use
By Ashley Belanger See original post here. OpenAI is hoping that Donald Trump’s AI Action Plan, due out this