From: Ashley Gregory
To: City Clerk; Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft; John Knox White; Trish Spencer; Tony Daysog; Malia Vella; Manager Manager Subject: [EXTERNAL] In Support of GBI
Date: Tuesday, May 17, 2022 3:37:26 PM
Dear Honorable Mayor and City Council Members,
I am writing to express my enthusiastic support of the proposed GBI program, on the agenda as item 7-B. Alameda has the exciting opportunity to join a handful of cities that are implementing such programs. I have included a couple of resources below for your reference from the University of Pennsylvania Center for Guaranteed Income Research and Mayors for Guaranteed Income.
Historically, communities of color, in particular, have been systematically economically abandoned and exploited. The policies of the United States government have taken land, resources, and generational wealth from these communities for generations, including of course, the very foundations of this country.
For example, when the GI Bill benefitted my English-descended immigrant grandfather but not African American soldiers after the Second World War. Or when Japanese Americans did not get their land or homes back after being forced into internment camps. GBI programs create opportunities for people who have been hardest hit by these decades-long policies to get real relief from the worries of making ends meet.
I urge you to be a part of turning the tide of history and fund the GBI program in Alameda! Sincerely,
Ashley Gregory
https://www.penncgir.org/resources
https://www.mayorsforagi.org
From: Ashley Lorden
To: City Clerk; Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft; Tony Daysog; Malia Vella; John Knox White; Trish Spencer; Manager Manager Subject: [EXTERNAL] Support for Guaranteed Basic Income program Date: Tuesday, May 17, 2022 1:33:54 PM
Hello,
I'm writing to applaud your consideration of item 7-B on this evening's agenda, a Guaranteed Basic Income pilot program. Providing a funding source for residents to meet basic needs is consistent with our community's values, resources, and goals. I hope you will support this program!
Ashley Lorden
From: Transform Alameda
To: Malia Vella; John Knox White; Trish Spencer; Tony Daysog; Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft Cc: City Clerk; Manager Manager
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Letter of support for Item 7-B
Date: Tuesday, May 17, 2022 9:58:52 AM
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Hello:
Attached is a letter of support from Transform Alameda for the GBI program to be heard at tonight's meeting.
Thank you,
--
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From: Jeff Lewis
To: Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft; City Clerk; John Knox White
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Comment on agenda item 2022-1921
Date: Tuesday, May 17, 2022 7:50:57 AM
Hello,
I am a resident of Alameda. I am glad to see that our city is considering an experiment in providing universal basic income to resident households. I strongly support this effort and urge all of city council to vote in favor of this item. I am excited by the exploration of concepts to reimagine our society and our economy. I also think that the use of an experiment to see how implementation of universal basic income would effect our local residents before larger scale efforts is a wise step. An understanding of our local program could help to inform state and federal efforts as well. I am happy to have my tax money spent on this program.
In the presentation documents, I notice that 20% of program budget is allocated to administration and 20% is allocated to research. While I understand the need to have staff to administer the program and analyze results, these allocations seem very high. One of the benefits of universal basic income as opposed to traditional public assistance programs is the relatively low administrative costs of such programs. In theory, they largely consist of just direct depositing money into people’s bank accounts. While I can understand some initial costs, 20% of this budget approaches one million dollars, which seems a little steep given that, for most of this program, administration should be just servicing automated direct deposits for a little over 100 accounts. Reducing administrative costs could increase the number of people this is helping. The 20% allocation for research is also close to one million dollars which, again, seems somewhat high. While I understand the need to do quality data collection and analysis for the program, I think the allocation of more budget toward increasing the number of households would increase sample size. Increased sample size of course makes it easier to detect statistical patterns and draw solid conclusions from data analysis, potentially resulting in better research.
In short, I strongly support the experiment in universal basic income and I also suggest revisiting the budget allocations for this program.
Thank you,
Jeff Lewis
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From: Matt Wheeland
To: City Clerk; Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft; Tony Daysog; Malia Vella; John Knox White; Trish Spencer; Manager Manager Subject: [EXTERNAL] Public comment on guaranteed basic income proposal Date: Monday, May 16, 2022 5:10:46 PM
Hello:
I am writing in today to voice my strong support for the proposal currently in front of the city council to develop a Guaranteed Basic Income program for the city of Alameda.
As has been shown in cities around the country and around the world, GBI programs offer significant benefits to the community – not just the recipients – by improving financial security, GBI programs also increase food access and food security, improve mental and physical well-being, and allow people to best determine their most pressing needs.
I strongly support our joining Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, and urge the council to support this proposal to direct staff to create a proposal.
Thanks,
Matt Wheeland
1205 Post
From: David Foote
To: Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft; John Knox White; Malia Vella; Trish Spencer; Tony Daysog; Lara Weisiger Subject: [EXTERNAL] 1000% opposition to Alameda Guaranteed Basic Income Program Date: Tuesday, May 10, 2022 2:12:41 PM
Yesterday May 9, 2022, I saw a report of CBS Bay Area News that the city of Alameda is about to consider establishment of a guaranteed basic income program.
I oppose this proposal completely. It would be like putting a "Homeless Wanted" sign at every entrance to Alameda.
Welfare issues and the many other serious problems being confronted by homeless people now flooding California dictate first, a comprehensive and honest confrontation of the homeless problem at state level. Despite a statewide homeless problem that has been festering for years, the state is still dithering on this issue.
Municipalities lack the necessary scale to effectively tackle such far-reaching challenges locally on a piecemeal basis. Homeless individuals will gravitate to cities providing the highest benefits, being bounced around in a cruel game of whack-a- mole.
As civic leaders in Alameda, you should DEMAND comprehensive action from our state government, and under no circumstances create a guaranteed income programs for anyone in Alameda.
Thank you.
David Foote
[email protected]
2534 Lincoln Ave
Alameda CA 94501