Guaranteed income

A bill in the Oregon Legislature is looking to set up a pilot program that would give $1,000 a month to low or no income Oregonians over a two year period. If passed, it would create the nation’s first statewide guaranteed income program. The proposal has sparked heated debate.

State and local governments, and some private funders, are launching dozens of pilot projects making direct, monthly payments to low-income residents to help meet basic needs. Researchers will study what happens next. Key question: will this money add to, reform, or supplant current welfare programs?