The Mayors for a Guaranteed Income coalition condemned recent federal aid cuts and said state and local leaders are stepping in to support households. Michael D. Tubbs highlighted data from nearly 30 city and county pilots showing that recurring, unconditional cash payments can reduce stress, increase savings and improve employment outcomes. The movement now includes about 150 mayors and follows more than 100 pilots since 2018, with Cook County making its program permanent after a 2022 pilot funded by COVID-19 relief.
Mayors Urge Guaranteed Income as They Condemn Cuts to Federal Aid
Guaranteed basic income programs have become a trend across the U.S. in recent years with more than 100 pilots launched since 2018.(Getty Images)
The Mayors for a Guaranteed Income coalition issued a statement Tuesday criticizing what it described as the dismantling of federal aid programs and saying local and state leaders are stepping in to shore up household finances.
"At a time when key federal aid programs are being dismantled, state leaders are picking up the slack and bolstering economic stability for residents," said Michael D. Tubbs, founder of Mayors for a Guaranteed Income.
The coalition's release accused the Trump administration of cutting federal programs and pursuing actions that undermine federal support, noting a January report that the administration froze more than $10 billion in federal childcare and social services funding to five Democratic-led states amid concerns that taxpayer dollars were improperly used to provide benefits to noncitizens.
Mayors for a Guaranteed Income argued that, as many Americans struggle with rising costs, city and state leaders are launching or expanding guaranteed income pilots to stabilize household budgets. The group pointed to evidence from nearly 30 city- and county-led pilots showing recurring, unconditional cash payments help families meet basic needs, build emergency savings, pursue better employment opportunities and experience reduced stress.
Cook County in Illinois just approved a universal basic income for residents.
Guaranteed basic income programs have expanded across the United States: more than 100 pilots have launched since 2018. Mayors for a Guaranteed Income has grown into a coalition of roughly 150 mayors advocating pilot programs that often provide eligible low-income participants up to $1,000 a month with no conditions. Several municipalities have adopted or tested similar programs.
Most prominently, Cook County, Illinois — the nation's second-largest county — transitioned from a pilot to a permanent guaranteed basic income program after positive results. That program began in 2022 with support from federal COVID-19 relief funds.
The coalition also noted legislative momentum. Its sister group, Legislators for a Guaranteed Income, has tracked proposals for statewide and local cash-based policies: more than 20 bills in 11 states have been proposed to create some form of statewide guaranteed income, while over 60 additional bills with cash-based provisions have surfaced across another 15 states.
Michael D. Tubbs also founded Counties for a Guaranteed Income and Legislators for a Guaranteed Income. He served as mayor of Stockton, California, from 2017 to 2021.
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