The way to a better future may be starting

New Mexico could become the second state to implement a statewide universal basic income program.

The city of Santa Fe is testing out universal basic income, or guaranteed monthly payments, for 100 parents under the age of 30 who attend Santa Fe Community College. They'll get $400 monthly payments, also known as a "stability stipend," for a year, and if that local pilot program goes well, lawmakers are considering moving forward with a similar statewide proposal.

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Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber, who testified at the hearing, expressed support for guaranteed monthly payments, saying that they are "exactly what we need to break the cycle of poverty."

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A growing number of cities are testing out universal basic income for targeted groups of residents. For example, upstate New York is testing out a one year program giving 100 residents $500 monthly payments for a year, with Chicago, Boston, St. Paul and others having implemented similar programs.

Last month, California approved the nation's first statewide guaranteed income program, giving up to $1,000 monthly checks prioritized to pregnant people and those aging out of the foster care system.

  Business Insider

The percentage of American families with kids who report not having enough to eat fell dramatically after the first child tax credit payments were distributed last month, according to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The government’s finding shows that the monthly payments are having a major and immediate impact on millions of households, potentially bolstering President Joe Biden’s push to extend the tax credit past the end of this year, when it is set to expire.

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Before the first tranche of tax credit payments hit bank accounts in mid-July, about 11 percent of households with children reported that they sometimes or often did not have enough to eat in the past week. After the money went out, the rate dropped to just over 8 percent — a decrease of nearly 24 percent — and the lowest rate recorded since the beginning of the pandemic.

  Politico