Former Presidential Candidate Andrew Yang Touts Primary Earnings at Mountain View Rally – CBS San Francisco
MOUNTAIN VIEW (KPIX) – Mountain View is just one of the cities in the Bay Area that moves forward with a guaranteed or universal basic income program. That was the main focus of the rally on Saturday, but there was also talk of a different policy.
“I think we’re seeing good results in other cities, so it was time for us to try it here,” said Margaret Abe-Koga of Mountain View City Council.
With $ 1,000,000 worth of funds from the American Relief Act, Mountain View is on track to become the newest city to experiment with a universal basic income, in this case, paying a family $ 500 a month of or below 30% of the median median income. The people behind the idea largely attribute it to a person.
“I was inspired by Andrew Yang,” said Abe-Koga. “I was an early yang ganger and that was because of his UBI concept.”
“We always had the money and we also know that people will spend it on food, fuel and a roof over their heads,” Yang told the crowd.
For the former presidential candidate, that rally seemed a bit like a winning lap in some ways. From Oakland to Marin to Santa Clara County, UBI programs are gaining traction. State Senator Dave Cortese was at his side. Now rated nationwide with 54 percent approval, this is an idea with many fans.
“It is exciting to be here to continue the basic income movement that the majority of Americans today know is common sense,” said Yang.
“The Universal Basic Income makes perfect sense,” said rally participant Doug Ridley. “In fact, it’s so obvious that almost no explanation is required.”
Of course, there is resistance, and the early programs use grants and philanthropic funds to avoid legal challenges. Supporters say the UBI is the future now that it has political support. On the subject of politics, Yang also spoke of a system that he calls “leading us nowhere” and the possibility of creating a third political party.
“I am very happy to try to provide a middle ground for Americans who do not see themselves represented in our politics,” said Yang. “Because our politics are so extreme and polarized on both sides.”
As for Mountain View’s efforts on Basic Income, they will be speaking out on Tuesday evening, specifically which families should be prioritized when the program launches.
