Equal Right (formerly ‘World Basic Income’) is a global justice organization advocating for climate and economic justice without borders. We research and campaign for innovative approaches that could achieve global redistribution, tackle global inequalities and secure fundamental human rights for people everywhere.
Our main focus at present is the intersection of UBI and the climate crisis, and how a radical yet feasible policy known as ‘Cap and Share’ could tackle the harm caused by extractive industries, fund a just transition and deliver a universal cash payment to every person in the world – a payment symbolizing the ‘Equal Right’ we all have over the global commons and the wealth it generates.
To read the full proposal and learn about a July 25 webinar and employment opportunities with Equal Right, click here.
Note: Alaska already has the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD), a similar UBI-like program funded from revenue derived from invested state petroleum revenues, so Oregon would be the second, not the first U.S. state with such a program if the Oregon Rebate passes in the November 2024 election. The Alaska PFD was started in 1982 to make sure Alaskans directly benefit from its resources in the wake of its oil boom in the 1970s. It has usually been on the order of $1000 – $2000 for each Alaska resident including children.
“A proposed measure to create a universal basic income program which would put $750 in the pocket of every Oregon resident, including children, has officially qualified to be put on the ballot in November.
The initiative, Oregon Rebate, proposes to increase the minimum corporate tax rate for Oregon-based companies making more than $25 million per year in sales to 3 percent tax, whereas the current minimum sits under 1 percent.
The amount raised would then be given to the Oregon’s State Department of Revenue for rebate distribution, which means that every Oregonian—regardless of their age or income—would receive a guaranteed income. Any money left from the rebate would be used to fund services in favor of senior citizens, health care and public education.”
To read the full article in Newsweek by Giulia Carbonaro, click here.
“Natalie Foster believes in creating economic resilience for families. She says income inequality is a real problem; some people work three jobs just to stay afloat.
Foster, who serves as the president and co-founder of the Economic Security Project, was a guest on Wednesday’s edition of “Closer Look.” She talked with host Rose Scott about how guaranteed-income initiatives are transforming the lives of families across the country.
Foster also discussed her new book, “The Guarantee: Inside the Fight for America’s Next Economy.” The book explores what it would be like if all Americans were guaranteed housing, health care, a college education, dignified work, family care, an inheritance and a stable income.”
To listen to the report by LaShaw Hudson of WABE, click here.
“A monthly payment of $750 to $1,000 would allow thousands of the city’s homeless people to find informal housing, living in boarding homes, in shared apartments and with family and friends, according to a policy brief by four prominent Los Angeles academics.”
To read the full Los Angeles Times article by Doug Smith, click here.
Panel 9 Universal basic income and the future of social policy in the global south
[Interpretation into English and Portuguese, No Spanish] Venue: Fausto Castilho Moderator: Leandro Ferreira, Head of Brazilian Basic Income Network Speakers:
Eduardo Suplicy, State Deputy of São Paulo for the Workers’ Party, PT, Brazil
Jurgen De Wispelaere, Institute for Policy Research, Univeristy of Bath (UK) and Basic Income Earth Network (BIEN)
Leticia Bartholo, Secretary of Evaluation, Information Management and Single Registry of the Ministry of Social Development and Assistance, Family, and Fight Against Hunger
Nikhil Dey, Founder Member and Full-Time Activist – MKSS, India
Eduardo Zanatta, City councilman, Workers Party [PT], Brazil
Eduardo Moreira, Founder of ICL new
To learn more about the Festival of Ideas, click here.
Photo: Armando Geneyro Note: The use of the term Basic Income in this article does not conform to BIEN’s definition.
Denver Basic Income Project (DBIP) has released the results its Year One quantitative and quantitative findings. What the research has discovered supports what DBIP always believed – that guaranteed income gives families and individuals financial tools, and a cushion to cover their most basic needs per their circumstances. DBIP’s research shows:
You can review the Year One Research Report Executive Summary for an in-depth look at the research design, cost analysis due to reductions in public service utilization, and notable findings from both the quantitative and qualitative reports. You can read the full reports on the research page of DBIP’s website.
Given that Denver annually spends over $40,000 on shelter and medical costs per person experiencing homelessness and is also dealing with the humanitarian and fiscal crisis of people arriving from the borders, cost-effective programs like this are extremely valuable. As the first and largest project of its kind studying the impact of guaranteed income on homelessness, the research and results of the Denver Basic Income Project have the potential to be replicated and scaled across the U.S. The Year One report is a monumental milestone for the Denver Basic Income Project, and we would not be here without the support of the community and our generous funders, including the City and County of Denver, The Colorado Trust, the Denver Foundation, and the Wend Collective.
