We are each the expert in our own lives and know how to meet our needs better than anyone else. With direct, flexible cash assistance, we can have what we need to make the best decisions for us.
Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) provides a direct economic lifeline. One GBI pilot program, GRIT, provides direct and unrestricted cash payments to Tacoma families, allowing folks to pay for essentials. With their most basic needs met, families feel less overwhelmed and are able to navigate the pathway towards long-term financial stability.
Field Notes:
“This money has helped me with my car payment. When I got it and first talked to you, I was behind and couldn’t keep up. Now I am caught up on my payment and can continue to get to work and take my kids to school. It’s perfect, I’m not so overwhelmed! It makes me feel more comfortable and financially secure. I can keep food on our table.”
–GRIT 2.0 recipient
Our state has abundant resources that, if tapped, could be used to meet Washingtonians’ basic needs. As we face a revenue shortfall, we should ask the ultra-wealthy to pay their fair share and find other sources of progressive revenue instead of making cuts to vital services.
There are plentiful, renewable sources of revenue that we must use to meet this shortfall and invest in repairing our state’s pathway out of poverty.
Hikers have a better understanding of what the path is like than the person who designed the trail. Communities most impacted are in the best position to identify what their most pressing needs are and what solutions would be most helpful. Community Assemblies bring community and policymakers together in a facilitated session to identify needs and implement solutions. Through collaborative governance, we can bring together those walking the pathway out of poverty with those with the tools to clear the way.
What We’re Doing About It
Funding the GRIT 3.0 Guaranteed Basic Income pilot.
Funding Direct Cash Transfer to young people experiencing housing instability.
Passing progressive revenue, including a 1% tax on wealth above $100 million, a High Earners Payroll tax, and the Affordable Homes act to lower the tax rate on homes selling for under $3 million and increase the tax rate for properties selling for more.
Funding Community Assemblies to support communities to identify and meet their needs.
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