For more than three decades, Rose Padilla Johnson has led the Davis Street Community Center located in San Leandro, California. During her tenure, Rose Padilla Johnson has greatly expanded the center’s services to meet the needs of San Leandro families, including assistance with health care, child care, and housing. She also advocates for programs that would improve the lives of individuals and families facing financial difficulties. The centuries-old concept of a guaranteed or universal minimum income made a return to the mainstream due to 2020 presidential candidate Andrew Yang. He advocated for a “Freedom Dividend” that would provide all Americans with $12,000 a year in basic income. Other factors have contributed to interest in a guaranteed income program, including the rise of automation and employment loss as a result of the pandemic. In 2021, California allocated $35 million to guaranteed income pilot programs across the state. Recipients would receive recurring monthly payments that could be spent without restrictions. The cities of Los Angeles and Oakland have launched similar initiatives. Two cities in Alameda County (Oakland and Emeryville) have joined the Mayors for a Guaranteed Income pledge. While the results from American-based guaranteed income programs are pending, data from other nations have shown that additional payments have social benefits. Recipients in Finland improved their mental health, while individuals in Ontario reported lower stress and increased confidence.

1. CALIFORNIA COUNTIES MULL
UNIVERSAL INCOME PROGRAMS
Rose Padilla Johnson

2. INTRODUCTION
For more than three decades, Rose Padilla Johnson has led the Davis
Street Community Center located in San Leandro, California. During
her tenure, Rose Padilla Johnson has greatly expanded the center’s
services to meet the needs of San Leandro families, including
assistance with health care, child care, and housing. She also
advocates for programs that would improve the lives of individuals and
families facing financial difficulties.

3. The centuries-old concept of a guaranteed or universal minimum
income made a return to the mainstream due to 2020 presidential
candidate Andrew Yang. He advocated for a “Freedom Dividend”
that would provide all Americans with $12,000 a year in basic
income.

4. Other factors have contributed to interest in a guaranteed income
program, including the rise of automation and employment loss as
a result of the pandemic. In 2021, California allocated $35 million
to guaranteed income pilot programs across the state. Recipients
would receive recurring monthly payments that could be spent
without restrictions.

5. The cities of Los Angeles and Oakland have launched similar
initiatives. Two cities in Alameda County (Oakland and
Emeryville) have joined the Mayors for a Guaranteed Income
pledge.

6. While the results from American-based guaranteed income
programs are pending, data from other nations have shown that
additional payments have social benefits. Recipients in Finland
improved their mental health, while individuals in Ontario
reported lower stress and increased confidence.