1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

The widening socioeconomic divide and rising poverty rates are major issues facing our communities. Recent basic income pilots in Tacoma and King County have demonstrated the potential for guaranteed cash payments to provide a critical financial lifeline and pathway to economic stability. Participants experienced increased employment rates, higher wages, and improved access to necessities like healthcare and housing. These no-strings-attached payments empowered individuals to pay off debts, cover essential costs, and pursue better job opportunities. As these pilots have shown, a guaranteed income program can be an effective anti-poverty measure that uplifts struggling families and bolsters the local workforce. Given the successful outcomes thus far, I urge you to explore implementing a guaranteed basic income initiative in our area. This evidence-based approach could make a meaningful difference in addressing poverty, homelessness, and declining economic mobility for our most vulnerable residents. An investment in direct cash assistance has the potential to create a ripple effect of positive impacts across our community.