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Palm Springs, California is planning to give a universal basic income (UBI) to transgender and non-binary individuals in a first of its kind proposal.
The program, unanimously approved by the City Council, will provide $600-900 per month to residents of the city simply for identifying as transgender or non-binary — no strings attached. The effort will cost taxpayers $200,000 and last for an 18 month pilot period.
Carl DeMaio, a Republican who served as the first openly gay member of the San Diego City Council, called the effort “outrageous and discriminatory.” DeMaio is the chairman of Reform California, one of California’s largest grassroots and tax-fighting organizations.
"We’re completely opposed to guaranteed or universal basic income programs, because they ultimately cause inflation and raise the cost of living on everyone — they don't work," says DeMaio.
Universal basic income (UBI) is a form of financial entitlement, like welfare. Most UBI programs propose limits, like eligibility based on income brackets. But the Palm Springs proposal only requires that individuals be transgender or non-binary.
"At least some UBI programs have minimum income requirements to qualify, whereas this one is no-strings-attached 'woke' virtue signaling to the LGBT community in a way that is not only offensive but discriminatory," said DeMaio.
DeMaio warned that the proposal is likely to face several legal challenges. But more, he cautioned on the economic impact.
“Make no mistake, this UBI money is coming out of the taxpayers’ pockets — the money has to come from somewhere,” explained DeMaio. “And that likely means tax increases to make up for it — not to mention the way a UBI will raise the cost of living,” he continued.
DeMaio also argues that UBI effectively drives inflation. With the national inflation rate at 7.9% — a 40 year high — DeMaio says implementing programs that will worsen inflation is crazy.
“Families are already fleeing this state in droves because they can’t afford to live here,” said DeMaio.
DeMaio points out that the best way to defeat “woke” policies like the transgender UBI is to fight bad legislation at the ballot box.
That’s why DeMaio and Reform California have been working to recruit and elect reform-minded candidates in 2022 to stop bad bills and restore balance in California’s politics.
DeMaio is urging all Californians to join the campaign today to help flip key target seats in November and push for change.
Join the Fight: Flip Target Seats and Defeat UBI
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