Time to Fulfill the Promise of Progress

Dear Mayor Gloria,

We have previously written to you (https://www.sandiegonaacp.org/2021/03/15/stockton-economic-empowerment-demonstration/) about SEED, the Stockton Economic Empowerment Demonstration, which gave a consistent $500.00 a month to bring people out of poverty with a guaranteed monthly income. Supporters said it would give people the much-needed financial security to find good jobs and avoid debt.  Analysts found that it worked.

President Biden’s American Rescue Plan contains an experiment in basic income (https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/22319572/joe-biden-american-rescue-plan-war-on-poverty).

Now Oakland has launched a basic income program (https://www.bet.com/news/national/2021/03/24/oakland-launches-program-low-income-families-of-color-500-month.html).

Mr. Mayor, you know that basic income helps poor families, by providing them a little bit of security to go to school, to look for a better job, to weather the minor storms that more affluent people can shrug off.

We’re again asking that you join with other Mayors in our state for a guaranteed income.  There is a proposal in the California legislature for $1,000 dollars per month for three years for those in the program.  We are still looking forward to seeing you implement a program of your own.

Your first 100 days are over.  What are the next 100 days going to bring?  Will you advance a proposal for basic income?

When will the lives of Africans and African-Americans, who reside in every District of the City, actually start to change as a result of your leadership?  Bold leadership means bold action.  We want to see that begin to happen.

Sincerely,

Wiley Lane III, Chairman of the Economic Development Committee
NAACP San Diego Branch