So what is their solution?
Republican lawmakers unanimously voted in favor of a bill that blocks guaranteed basic income in Arizona.
GOP representatives voted in favor of House Bill 2375, prohibiting guaranteed-basic-income programs, despite Arizona being number four on the highest rate of homelessness in the United States. Such defined programs offer qualifying families and individuals seen living at or close to the poverty line regular government payments for a certain period. However, HB 2375 co-author Rep. Lupe Diaz compared the programs to socialism, calling the payments “unearned.”
HB 2375 bans “any program where persons are provided with regular, periodic cash payments that are unearned and that may be used for any purpose,” not including work or training programs. While no Democrat voted in favor of the bill, it still needs to pass the Arizona Senate before becoming law. To date, Arizona’s Senate consists of 16 Republicans and 14 Democrats.
If the bill does pass, homeless hotel programs in cities like Mesa and Scottsdale would be outlawed. Republican bill supporter Matt Gress feels hotels serving as homeless shelters and being open to the public don’t really get to the root of the public safety crisis.
“Renting out rooms doesn’t really get to the heart of the matter in getting services, help and structure to people who are living on the streets,” Gress said.
Cities across the country have successfully implemented these programs.
Source: Black Enterprise
