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☆ How 2 participants in Houston's basic-income program plan to spend the $500 a month: 'When you live paycheck to paycheck, it's horrible'
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Allie Kelly | Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

He knows the GBI money will help him breathe a little easier. Uplift Harris' program will begin payments in the meantime, according to the office of Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis. Uplift Harris participants hope the program will make them more financially stableGuaranteed basic income is an increasingly popular solution to combat poverty in US cities. GBI participants have previously told BI that they used the funds to secure housing and food, pay off debt, and afford school supplies for their children. Have you benefited from a guaranteed basic income program?

Persons: —, Delwin Sutton, doesn't, Sutton, Ken Paxton, Harris, Paxton, Rodney Ellis, Sutton doesn't, Dustin Palmer, We've, Palmer, Jay Carter, isn't, Carter, Still, Harris County Attorney Christian D, Menefee Organizations: Service, Business, Harvard, Yale, Texas Attorney, Services, American, Republican, Harris County Attorney, Austin, South Dakota Republicans, doesn't Locations: Houston, Harris, Harris County, GBI, Texas, Austin, San Antonio, El Paso County, The Arizona, South Dakota, Iowa

☆ AI is threatening Americans’ jobs. Could guaranteed income provide a safety net?
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-13 | by ( Catherine Thorbecke | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

That idea of guaranteed income is receiving renewed interest as AI becomes an increasing threat to Americans’ livelihoods. As more Americans’ jobs are increasingly at risk due to the threat of AI, Tubbs and other proponents of guaranteed income say this could be one solution to help provide a safety net and cushion the expected blow AI will have on the labor market. “Then, when we have to deal with that job displacement, we’re better positioned to do so.”Silicon Valley’s infatuation with guaranteed incomeThe idea of a guaranteed income is not new. AFP/Getty ImagesDecades after King’s death, the idea of guaranteed income went on to see a resurgence of support emanating out of Silicon Valley. Other tech industry tycoons, including Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, have also thrown immense financial support behind guaranteed income programs.

Persons: CNN — Michael Tubbs, Tubbs, ”, “, ” Michael Tubbs, Nick Otto, ” Tubbs, Nathan Frandino, Let’s, Martin Luther King, Jr, I’m, ” King, King, Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Sam Altman —, Musk, Rishi Sunak, Zuckerberg, ” Altman, Altman, Sam Altman, Justin Sullivan, Elizabeth Rhodes, Jack Dorsey, Dorsey, Ken Paxton, ” Paxton, overreach, ‘ It’s, ’ Tomas Vargas Jr, Vargas, I’ve, that’s, ” Tomas Vargas Jr, Tomas Vargas Jr, ” Vargas Organizations: CNN, Getty, Global, Monetary Fund, Reuters, Stockton, Civil Rights, Washington DC, Elon, “, UK, Harvard, Facebook, YCombinator, Twitter, UPS Locations: Stockton , California, Silicon Valley, Big, America, Stockton, AFP, San Joaquin, U.S, Washington, Alaska, YCombinator, San Francisco , California, United States, Texas, Harris, Harris County

☆ Texas AG sues county over Houston-area guaranteed income program giving participants $500 a month no strings attached
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewThe Texas Attorney General's office sued Harris County, which contains Houston, over its new guaranteed income pilot that would give nearly 2,000 residents $500 a month for 18 months with no strings attached. The state is seeking to block Harris County from giving its first payments to participants, which are slated to start in April. In response, Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee said that the lawsuit is "nothing more than another attack" on the county government. The Austin Guaranteed Income Pilot has distributed $1,000 a month to 135 low-income families, who reported using their money for housing, food, and other daily costs. Republican lawmakers are trying to ban guaranteed income programs in states such as Arizona, Iowa, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Persons: —, Ken Paxton, Harris, Harris County Attorney Christian D, Menefee, Dustin Palmer, Paxton, Sen, Paul Bettencourt Organizations: Service, Texas, Business, American, Harris County Attorney, Republican, Austin Locations: Harris, Houston, Texas, Harris County, Austin, Arizona , Iowa, South Dakota, Wisconsin

☆ Here's how guaranteed basic-income programs get their funding
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Allie Kelly | Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Cities like San Antonio, Austin, Denver, Boston, and Minneapolis have turned to basic-income pilot programs to explore ways to reduce those poverty levels. Republicans in Texas, Arizona, Iowa, and South Dakota are making efforts to ban GBI programs at the municipal and state level. AdvertisementStates and cities sometimes fund basic-income programsMany basic-income programs receive funding directly from state and local governments. Nonprofits and philanthropy play a key role in basic-income fundingOther basic-income programs are organized through a nonprofit, or receive funding from foundations and private donors. Along with funding cash payments, the Economic Security Project said that philanthropic donations can help a GBI programs pay for income policy research.

Persons: —, Monique Gonzalez, John Gillette, Flint, Joe Biden, Jack Dorsey, UpTogether Organizations: Service, Economic Security, Business, SNAP, Republicans, BI, American, ARPA, Chicago's Department of Family, Support Services, Mayors, Georgia Resilience, GRO Fund, Colorado Trust Locations: Cities, San Antonio, Austin, Denver, Boston, Minneapolis, Texas , Arizona , Iowa, South Dakota, Arizona, California, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, Michigan, Massachusetts, Texas, Chicago, Somerville , Massachusetts, GBI, Harris, Houston, Georgia, Atlanta, Colorado

☆ Over 82,000 Houston-area residents applied to a Texas guaranteed income program giving $500 a month. Fewer than 2,000 made it in.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Just over 2% of applicants to a Houston-area guaranteed income program were accepted — a lower acceptance rate than Harvard or Yale. Starting this month, 1,928 families will receive $500 a month, no strings attached, through Uplift Harris, a guaranteed income program in the Texas county that includes Houston. A majority of participants selected live in high-poverty ZIP codes and have a household income below 200% of the federal poverty line. Some participants were selected through the county's Accessing Coordinated Care and Empowering Self Sufficiency program which helps vulnerable residents improve outcomes. The pilot has been met with opposition from politicians including Texas State Sen. Paul Bettencourt, who in January sent a letter to the state attorney general concerning whether counties can legally enact guaranteed income programs.

Persons: Dustin Palmer, AidKit, Palmer, GiveDirectly, We've, Texas State Sen, Paul Bettencourt, Bettencourt, I've, it's Organizations: Service, Harvard, Yale, Business, American, SNAP, Texas State, Houston Public Media, Austin Locations: Houston, Uplift Harris, Texas, Harris, Harris County, West Harris County

☆ A San Antonio grandmother used guaranteed basic income to afford groceries and rent a house: 'It's changed my station in life'
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-01 | by ( Allie Kelly | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

With basic income, Sullivan said she has been able to pay for food, buy gas for her car, and achieve her goal of renting a house. The GBI money was the help she needed to afford a deposit and first and last month's rent. She added that the element of choice is what made basic income more helpful for her than other support programs. Some lawmakers have called basic income socialist and raised concerns that it makes people too reliant on the government. Going forward, Sullivan said she is committed to helping other families like San Antonio basic income helped her.

Persons: —, Ingrid Sullivan, Sullivan, they've, GBI, It's, UpTogether Organizations: Service, Business, BI, UpTogether Locations: San, Antonio, Denver, Houston, Boston, Minneapolis, Austin, Harris County , Texas, Durham , North Carolina, San Antonio's, San Antonio, Arizona , South Dakota , Iowa, Texas

☆ She’s the boss: The ‘she-conomy’ boom continues with new business growth
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Alicia Wallace | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

In 2019, that picture looked quite different: 29% of new business owners were women, according to Gusto. The US Census does not break out new business formation by gender, and the most recent available data on women-owned businesses is from 2021. The business growth and the community impact garnered her a Young Entrepreneur Award from the US Small Business Administration. Filling the (skilled trades) gapYelp also found that in 2023, women opened more new home services businesses than beauty businesses. “There has absolutely been an uptick in interest over the last few years in this [skilled trades] work” by women, Perez said.

Persons: Bernadette Corbeil, “, ”, Corbeil, she’s, ” Tara Lewis, Bernadette Corbeil Yelp, Yelp, Abby Vandenberg, Ventureneer, Geri Stengel, Wells, Marie, Cyr, Marie Saint, leapfrogged, Saint, ” Lewis, workforces, Allie Perez, Perez, didn’t, Blythe Zemel, Ginny Stogner McDavid, Bernadette Corbeil’s, I’ve, ’ ” Organizations: CNN, Artemis Construction, Wells, Marie Saint, Cyr, New York City Public Schools, US Small Business Administration, NYC, of Labor Statistics, National Association of Women, Construction, Alamo City, George Plumbing Company, Texas Women, AFL Locations: Wildwood , Missouri, hyperdrive, ”, New York, SIBSPlace, Rockville Centre , New York, New, Saint, San Antonio, Alamo, happenstance, Harris, In Missouri

☆ San Antonio experimented with giving people $5,108 no-strings-attached. They spent it on housing and school supplies for their kids.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Allie Kelly | Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Read previewWhen Monique Gonzalez received her money from the San Antonio guaranteed basic income pilot, she bought school supplies, shoes, and Christmas gifts for her children. San Antonio is one of several cities nationwide piloting guaranteed basic income programs. Ingrid Sullivan, a participant with four children and three grandchildren, told UpTogether that basic income allowed her to secure housing and reliable transportation. San Antonio participants also told UpTogether that the GBI payments significantly improved their mental health. Have you benefited from a guaranteed basic income program in San Antonio or elsewhere?

Persons: —, Monique Gonzalez, Gonzalez, UpTogether —, UpTogether, Ingrid Sullivan, Sullivan, GBI, Austin, Stephanie Hendon, she's, Jessica Nairns, Texas State Sen, Paul Bettencourt, John Gillette Organizations: Service, San Antonio, Business, Houston, Austin, Urban Institute, Texas State, Republican, House, Republicans Locations: San Antonio, Denver, Austin, Boston, Minneapolis, Durham, City, Antonio, Texas, Harris, City of Austin, Washington ,, Harris County, Dakota, Iowa, In Arizona, Arizona, Flint , Michigan

OAK RIDGE NORTH, Texas (AP) — A man suspected of several robberies in southeastern Texas was fatally shot Monday night by officers with a joint task force after they saw him rob a liquor store, authorities said. The man, whose name was not immediately released, fled officers who had been monitoring him before seeing him rob the liquor store in Oak Ridge North at gunpoint, according to Montgomery County District Attorney Brett Ligon. The officers then tried to arrest the man, but he fled on foot in the strip mall where the liquor store is located. “The officers, fearing for their safety, discharged their weapons, the suspect dies.”Ligon said a report on the shooting will be submitted to a grand jury to determine whether the officers acted appropriately. None of the officers were injured and all are on paid leave pending investigations into the shooting.

Persons: Brett Ligon, “ Let's, Ligon, ” Ligon, “, — Organizations: Houston, Harris County sheriff's Locations: NORTH, Texas, Oak Ridge, Montgomery County, Houston, Harris County

☆ Kim Ogg: Super Tuesday voting mix-up throws spotlight on Texas’ most populous county
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Fredreka Schouten | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Ogg and her partner – Olivia Jordan – do not share a last name, and each had to present identification to vote. The incident comes as the county – a Democratic stronghold that includes Houston – remains under scrutiny from Republican state officials. Just last year, the county’s election office was dismantled and its responsibilities shifted to the county clerk and county tax assessor-collector under a law approved by the GOP-controlled state Legislature. Ogg, who faces a competitive primary Tuesday, said it’s the job of election officials to protect the integrity of voting. “I was shocked when they pushed it back on the voter.”“My partner wasn’t trying to commit fraud,” Ogg added.

Persons: Kim Ogg, Teneshia Hudspeth, –, Ogg, – Olivia Jordan –, “, ” Ogg, ”, Jordan “, wasn’t Organizations: CNN, Democratic, Republican, GOP Locations: Harris County , Texas, Harris County, Ogg’s, Harris, Houston

☆ Why Republicans are fighting the basic-income programs many cities and states are adopting: 'Is money a birthright now?'
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-03 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | Allie Kelly | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Read previewAs guaranteed basic-income programs get more popular, opposition is also on the rise. Several lawmakers, like Arizona's Gillette, believe that income programs would discourage work and could raise taxes. A recently introduced bill in South Dakota would ban basic-income programs at the state level and prevent municipal governments from creating local programs. AdvertisementDespite opposition, basic-income program participants have seen benefitsPilot income programs have remained divisive with policymakers, but several major cities have seen positive results. In 2020, former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey pledged $15 million to Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, which helped 25 cities and towns nationwide begin basic-income programs.

Persons: —, Dia Broncucia, Justin Searls, John Gillette, Gillette, Arizona's Gillette, Lupe Diaz, Steve Holt, Skyler Wheeler, Sen, John Wiik, Paul Bettencourt, Bettencourt, Harris, I've, Ivanna Neri, Neri, UpTogether, Tony Evers, Austin, Stephanie Hendon, Louis, Jack Dorsey, Mark, Anthony Middleton Organizations: Service, Business, Income, Austin, BI, Republican, Republicans, GOP, Social Security, Iowa GOP, Houston Public Media, Gov, Madison Forward Fund, Madison Locations: Denver, Arizona, Arizona , Iowa, South Dakota , Texas, Wisconsin, Phoenix, Iowa, South Dakota, Texas, Houston, UpTogether, Harris, Madison, Minneapolis , Northern Virginia, Boston, St, Oregon, Durham

☆ Republicans vote unanimously to ban basic income programs in a state with one of the highest homelessness rates
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-24 | by ( Katie Balevic | Kenneth Niemeyer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Arizona House Republicans unanimously voted to ban basic income programs in the state. They say guaranteed basic income programs are like socialism. In Iowa, Republican state Rep. Steve Holt introduced a bill to ban basic income programs last month, calling them "socialism on steroids." AdvertisementThe bill's sponsor, Sen. John Wiik, said basic income programs are a "socialist idea" during a committee meeting on February 5. "Guaranteed income programs, also known as basic income, undercut the dignity in earning a dollar, and they're a one-way ticket to government dependency," Wiik said in the hearing.

Persons: —, Lupe Diaz, Diaz, Steve Holt, Sen, John Wiik, Wiik Organizations: Arizona, Service, Republican, Business, — Locations: Arizona, United States, Baltimore, Oregon, Austin, Harris County , Texas, Houston, In Iowa, South Dakota

☆ Oregon is giving homeless young people $1,000 a month to get back on their feet. Here's how it's going.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-24 | by ( Kenneth Niemeyer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

As state leaders scramble to address the problem, one solution is showing some promise: Give those young people $1,000 cash every month, no strings attached. AdvertisementSo far 120 young people across the state are receiving the direct cash payments, the report says. Participants receive payments of $ 1,000 a month. AdvertisementThe Baltimore Young Families Success Fund , for example, gives young parents in the city $1,000 a month. In Denver, the city recently extended a basic income program offering some residents up to $1,000 a month after participants reported increased housing security .

Persons: —, Anjala Huff, Huff, Tonaeya Moore, Austin, Sen, Paul Bettencourt Organizations: Service, Business, The Oregon Department of Human Services, DHS, Baltimore Young Locations: Oregon, Multnomah County, Portland, Maryland, Denver, Iowa , South Dakota , Arizona, Texas, Harris County, Houston

☆ Suspect Don Steven McDougal in Texas girl’s death is family friend who was supposed to take her to bus stop, authorities say
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Elizabeth Wolfe | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The suspect is already in custody after being arrested Friday night on unrelated aggravated assault charges, according to the sheriff’s office. McDougal, a friend of Audrii’s father, lived in a trailer on the family’s property and sometimes took the girl to catch her school bus in the neighborhood, according to Lyons. Investigators located Audrii’s remains using cell phone records, video analysis and information from McDougal, Lyons said. In 2007, he was convicted of enticing a child in Brazoria County, Texas. Amid the anxiety and uncertainty of Audrii’s disappearance, her mother said she now understands the pain of the parents of missing children who she had only ever heard about on the news.

Persons: Audrii Cunningham, Audrii’s, Don Steven McDougal, McDougal, Shelly Sitton, Byron Lyons, Lyons, Lyons doesn’t, ” Lyons, Audrii, “ I’m, ”, “, ” McDougal, ” Elic Bryan, Bryan, ” Bryan, Brent Hawkins, “ There’s, ” Matthews, didn’t, Matthews, ” CNN’s Caroll Alvarado, Andy Rose, Jillian Sykes, Rosa Flores, Sara Weisfeldt, Holly Yan Organizations: CNN, Prosecutors, Livingston –, Livingston Independent School, Facebook, KPRC Locations: Texas, Polk County, Trinity, Harris County, Livingston, Houston, Don Steven McDougal Polk, McDougal, Lake Livingston, Brazoria County , Texas

CNN —The body of Audrii Cunningham, an 11-year-old girl who disappeared while on her way to school in Texas, was found Tuesday in the Trinity River, according to Polk County Sheriff Byron Lyons. In 2007, he was convicted of enticing a child in Brazoria County, Texas. Sheriff: McDougal took part in search for AudriiMcDougal had joined in the search efforts for the missing girl, the sheriff told CNN earlier Tuesday. “Some of the witnesses have even said that he was in the community and knocking on doors … asking have they seen her,” the sheriff told CNN. McDougal lives in a trailer on the family’s property and sometimes took Audrii to the bus stop, the sheriff said.

Persons: Audrii Cunningham, Byron Lyons, “, ” Lyons, Shelly Sitton, Don Steven McDougal, ” Sitton, ”, Audrii, Sitton, ” McDougal, Audrii’s, Lyons, McDougal, ” Elic Bryan, Bryan, ” Bryan, Audrii McDougal, “ I’m, didn’t, Steve Almasy, Raja Razek, Carroll Alvarado Organizations: CNN, Texas Parks & Wildlife Locations: Texas, Trinity, Polk County, Harris County, Brazoria County , Texas, Brazoria County, Lake Livingston

☆ Arizona Republicans call basic income payments 'unearned,' introduce a bill to ban them
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-18 | by ( Kenneth Niemeyer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Republican lawmakers in Arizona have introduced a bill to ban guaranteed basic income programs. Arizona state lawmakers introduced a bill that would ban any municipality or county from making payments to a person as part of a guaranteed basic income program. Numerous cities across the country are experimenting with guaranteed basic income programs either through local initiatives or nonprofits. Guaranteed basic income programs are less politically fraught than a universal basic income, though they aren't without critics. Other places, like Harris County, Texas — which includes Houston — have also used COVID-19 funds for guaranteed basic income programs .

Persons: —, Bill, Andrew Yang, Lupe Diaz, Diaz, John Gillette Organizations: Republicans, Service, Republican, Arizona, Phoenix City Council, Phoenix New Times, Houston, Lawmakers Locations: Arizona, Iowa, South Dakota, Denver, Phoenix, Harris County , Texas, Texas, . South Dakota

☆ Austin gave people $1,000 a month with no strings attached. One participant said the money helped her get by — but she's still struggling to get housed.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

As a participant in the Austin Guaranteed Income Pilot , she received $1,000 monthly for a year between August 2022 and August 2023 to help her “survive more comfortably,” she said. Though, the program didn’t fix all her issues and she hasn’t gotten back on her feet after losing her job. AdvertisementThe Austin program and a new program in Harris County , home to Houston, have been met with resistance from politicians who allege these programs are unconstitutional. Joining the Austin Basic Income PilotNairns said she learned about the Austin Basic Income Pilot through another organization called the Austin Area Urban League, which helps low-income families. While still receiving payments, she was laid off at Austin Mutual Aid, losing her housing and car the same day.

Persons: —, Jessica Nairns, She’s, ”, hasn’t, ” Nairns, “, Austin, Ivanna Neri, Neri, ” Neri, Nairns, wasn’t, “ I’m Organizations: Service, Business, Austin, Urban Institute, Austin Mutual Aid, Austin Area Urban League, ” Locations: Austin, City of Austin, Texas, UpTogether, Washington, DC, Harris County, Houston, Dallas, Ohio

☆ Sheriff’s Deputies Shoot Woman Inside Friend’s Home in Houston, Authorities Say
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Livia Albeck-Ripka | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A Houston woman was shot in her friend’s apartment this month by sheriff’s deputies who responded to a report of a break-in and fired repeatedly into the home, according to a statement and body camera footage released by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. The women were startled when, after 2 a.m., the deputies began pounding on the door, according Mr. Crump. Fearing an intruder, Ms. Pouncy picked up her legally registered firearm and, shortly after, was struck by five bullets, he said. Emergency medical workers took Ms. Pouncy to a hospital for treatment, the sheriff’s office said. While the nature of her injuries was unclear, Mr. Crump said in his statement that she was recovering.

Persons: sheriff’s, Eboni Pouncy, Ben Crump, Pouncy, Crump Organizations: Sheriff’s Office Locations: Houston, Harris

☆ Shooting Reported at Houston Church Led by Joel Osteen
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Livia Albeck-Ripka | More About Livia Albeck-Ripka | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

The Houston Police Department was responding on Sunday afternoon to reports of a shooting at a Christian megachurch in Houston that is led by the televangelist Joel Osteen, it said on social media. The details were unclear, but Sheriff Ed Gonzalez of Harris County said on social media that a shooter was believed to have been shot by law enforcement. “We continue to assist in a methodical/thorough search of the complex,” he said. It was unclear whether anyone else had been injured. She said she ran into a smaller room where she sheltered with about 10 other people, including a child.

Persons: Joel Osteen, Ed Gonzalez, ” Organizations: Houston Police Department Locations: Houston, Harris County

HOUSTON (AP) — Police in Texas said Sunday that they were responding to a possible shooting at the Houston megachurch run by prominent pastor Joel Osteen. In a tweet on X, formerly known as Twitter, Lakewood Church said there was “an active situation involving shots fired” at the church. “That is all the information we have at this time. Please pray for Lakewood and our community,” the church said. Jodi Silva, a Houston police spokeswoman, said officers were responding to the church but she did not have any additional information.

Persons: Joel Osteen, ”, Jodi Silva, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, “ Organizations: HOUSTON, — Police, Houston, Twitter, Lakewood, Harris County Sheriff Locations: Texas, Lakewood, Harris County

☆ When Mental Health Treatment Becomes a Political Identity
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( J. David Goodman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

As a rising young Democratic star and the top elected official of Harris County, the most populous in Texas, Lina Hidalgo surprised many people last summer when she announced that she had checked herself in at a residential mental health clinic for serious depression. She had been struggling privately for years, even as she stepped forward assertively to preside over Houston’s response to the coronavirus pandemic and help residents throughout the county deal with flooding and a devastating winter freeze. Then, during a brutal re-election fight in 2022, her mental state worsened. Aides were aware that something was wrong — there were missed campaign events, and shortness with staff members — but few knew just how dire things had become. “I remember feeling really suicidal, and saying to David, my boyfriend, and to my therapist at the time, ‘We have to do something,’” Ms. Hidalgo said.

Persons: Lina Hidalgo, assertively, David, ’, Ms, Hidalgo Organizations: Democratic Locations: Harris County, Texas

☆ Texas state lawmaker criticizes 'universal basic income' programs: 'We can't just hand out money like popcorn on street corners'
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Kenneth Niemeyer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A Texas state senator said a Texas-based basic income plan will "hand out money like popcorn." State Sen. Paul Bettencourt asked the state attorney general to declare it unconstitutional. Bettencourt's request came on the same day that the program — called Uplift Harris — started taking applications. The Uplift Harris program plans to provide eligible households in Harris County, which includes Houston, $500 a month for up to 18 months. "We just can't hand out money like popcorn on street corners to people that walk by," Bettencourt told Fox.

Persons: Sen, Paul Bettencourt, —, State Sen, Harris —, Bettencourt, Fox, Harris, Menefree, Bettencourt's Organizations: Service, Republican, American, Plan, Houston Chronicle, Fox News, Texas, Houston Public Media Locations: Texas, Houston, State, Harris County, Harris

☆ A guaranteed basic income program in Minneapolis found that even after a year of giving recipients $500 a month, they weren't working any less
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Katie Balevic | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewThe city of Minneapolis is experimenting with a guaranteed basic income program, and the preliminary results are promising. Minneapolis has provided $500 monthly payments with no strings attached to 200 low-income families for the last year. Flint, Michigan — for example — recently opened enrollment for a basic income program for pregnant mothers, giving them a lump sum during pregnancy and $500 a month for their baby's first year of life. In Iowa, two Republican state representatives are pushing legislation to ban basic income programs, Business Insider reported. A lawmaker in Texas, meanwhile, called a newly launched basic income program in Harris County, which includes Houston, unconstitutional.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Minneapolis, Denver, Flint , Michigan, In Iowa, Texas, Harris County, Houston

☆ Austin experimented with giving people $1,000 a month. They spent the no-strings-attached cash mostly on housing, a study found.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Kenneth Niemeyer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A guaranteed basic income program in Austin gave people $1,000 a month for a year. AdvertisementA guaranteed basic income plan in one of Texas's largest cities reduced rates of housing insecurity. Austin was the first city in Texas to launch a tax-payer-funded basic income program when the Austin Guaranteed Income Pilot kicked off in May 2022. On average, program participants spent more than half of the cash they received on housing, the report's authors wrote. Harris County, which includes Houston, earlier this month launched a guaranteed basic income program that gives low-income residents up to $500 a month.

Persons: —, Austin, Taniquewa Brewster, KXAN, it's, Sen, Paul Bettencourt, Bettencourt, Tonaeya Moore Organizations: Service, Austin, Urban Institute, Washington DC, NBC, Houston Chronicle, Baltimore Young Locations: Austin, Texas, City, Washington, Houston, Harris County, United States, Baltimore

☆ Austin experimented with giving people $1,000 a month. They said they spent the no-strings-attached cash mostly on housing.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Kenneth Niemeyer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewPeople who received guaranteed basic income in one of Texas' largest cities reported reduced rates of housing insecurity. Austin was the first city in Texas to launch a taxpayer-funded guaranteed-income program when the Austin Guaranteed Income Pilot kicked off in May 2022. On average, program participants said they spent more than half of the cash they received on housing. While Austin was the first city in Texas to test a guaranteed-income program, it's now not the only one. AdvertisementAnd in Denver, a basic-income program that gives some people up to $1,000 a month was recently extended after participants reported increased housing security .

Persons: —, Austin, Taniquewa Brewster, KXAN, it's, Sen, Paul Bettencourt, Bettencourt, Tonaeya Moore Organizations: Service, Business, Austin, Urban Institute, NBC, Houston Chronicle, Baltimore Young Locations: Texas, City of Austin, Washington, DC, Houston, Harris County, United States, Baltimore, Maryland, Denver

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