The global pandemic has shown the incredible gaps in U.S. economic disparities between normal everyday people and ultra millionaires and billionaires. Before the pandemic, studies found that nearly 40% of Americans cannot afford a single $400 emergency.

During the pandemic, people have lost their jobs and housing while billionaires have become $1.3 trillion richer and we have 46 new billionaires.

More needs to be done to support the rest of us; Universal Basic Income. The studies are out and it’s clear that Universal Basic Income UBI works! The city of Stockton, CA piloted its own UBI project with giving 125 residents $500 a month for 2 years and the results showed that people used the extra funding for basic necessities such as food, paying off debt, and utilities. Participants also were more likely to have full time jobs and showed improvements in mental health wellness.

The premise of UBI is that all folks have the fundamental right to have their bare necessities met. Many folks, despite having full time jobs, do not have their basic needs met in our current economy. UBI can be a tool for addressing racial and gender equity.

Mayors for Guaranteed Income founded by former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs is dedicated to achieving UBI nation-wide and has called upon the Biden Administration and Congress to pass stimulus checks until the economy recovers from the pandemic. Stimulus checks have also shown to provide immense relief and have kept our economy from teetering off the edge.

Sign the petition: Urge the Biden administration and Congress pass Universal Basic Income!