SB 30-23: KANYE Act (Awaiting Sponsor)

[Joseph Cao]

It recently occurred to me that I wrote legislation very similar to this. Only there would be a $1,000 monthly payment for middle and lower-class parents with children under the age of 18. I think we should seriously consider expanding the UBI program we had for COVID, which was by most accounts successful (as we kept extending it). I know that even Labor is divided on UBI. But I think that a slow transition will keep our economy sustainable.

At the very least, I would like to see a GM report on how effective the pilot UBI program was during the pandemic. If it did what it was intended to do, in keeping our people housed, fed, and secure at the height of COVID, I think that segueing to a permanent program is absolutely worth considering.

IIRC, that was one of the points that came up when Congress was hammering out the COVID omnibus bill. Definitely agree that we should get some feedback on how that particular program has done, since the bill was pared back because we very justifiably agreed to wait for broader feedback on its efficacy that has yet to be tackled by the GM's office with COVID almost in the rearview mirror.

[Pericles]

This seems pretty reasonable then, thanks for the numbers.

[SevenEleven]

I am still not convinced this is the best idea. I don't want to see reckless teenagers having children because they think they can get a couple thousand bucks.

[Sestak]

I am still not convinced this is the best idea. I don't want to see reckless teenagers having children because they think they can get a couple thousand bucks.

Hm? 2500 is a paltry sum even compared to the general annual cost of raising a child…

[AGA]

I think that expanding the child tax credit again would be a better alternative. I am also concerned that this could result in people who are unprepared to be parents having children.

[SevenEleven]

I am still not convinced this is the best idea. I don't want to see reckless teenagers having children because they think they can get a couple thousand bucks.

Hm? 2500 is a paltry sum even compared to the general annual cost of raising a child…

Of course it is, but that's why I focused on a group that is widely known for their less-than-adequate long term thinking abilities (although many of the younger people here demonstrate otherwise, I grew up around enough people that would be candidates for the scenario I presented).

[Esteemed Jimmy]

I am still not convinced this is the best idea. I don't want to see reckless teenagers having children because they think they can get a couple thousand bucks.

Hm? 2500 is a paltry sum even compared to the general annual cost of raising a child…

Of course it is, but that's why I focused on a group that is widely known for their less-than-adequate long term thinking abilities (although many of the younger people here demonstrate otherwise, I grew up around enough people that would be candidates for the scenario I presented).

I have to agree with this.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

For what it's worth, this was my plan: essentially, YangBucks for families.

AN ACT
To establish a Universal Basic Income pilot program for parents with children


Be it enacted by the Senate of the Republic of Atlasia assembled

Section 1. Title

This legislation may be cited as the Children's Universal Basic Income Act.

Section 2. Monthly Universal Basic Income for Families with Children

1. Beginning in January of 2022, parents or legal guardians of persons under the age of 18 and have a disposable income of less than $150,000 ​shall be entitled to $1,000 monthly checks.

2. The income received shall not be taxed or counted toward existing benefits.

3. This program shall run until 2026, but may be extended by Congress.

I would also support an expanded child tax credit.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Some feedback from the sponsor or another senator would be appreciated. Presuming the UBI helped people through COVID, why not just segue into a full UBI starting with families under a certain income level?

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Since there's been no discussion, I am submitting my act as an amendment to replace all of the current text.

[Dr. MB]

That’s fine. No objection from me

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Senators have 24 hours to object.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

So just so we're all on the up-and-up, this is what we are debating now:

AN ACT
To establish a Universal Basic Income pilot program for parents with children


Be it enacted by the Senate of the Republic of Atlasia assembled

Section 1. Title

This legislation may be cited as the Children's Universal Basic Income Act.

Section 2. Monthly Universal Basic Income for Families with Children

1. Beginning in January of 2022, parents or legal guardians of persons under the age of 18 and have a disposable income of less than $150,000 shall be entitled to $1,000 monthly checks.

2. The income received shall not be taxed or counted toward existing benefits.

3. This program shall run until 2026, but may be extended by Congress.

And to summarize again, this is essentially UBI (which expired in June) for families with children. I intend on using this bill as a part of a long-term push towards UBI for all people, as I realize this is an issue even Labor is divided on, but I have long wanted to transition the nation to a Yang-style UBI program during a slow process.

The UBI will help those, particularly those who hail from declining industries such as coal, to sustain themselves. Given that, long-term, the nature of work as we know it is slated to become more automated and less person-oriented, it only makes sense that we prepare for automation by supporting people who are slated to lose most on this economic transition. This especially includes people lacking STEM degrees, who have least to gain and most to lose in this new economy.

If there is a majority in favor of this program, I would like to move it to a final vote. Although I do realize we need to resolve the question of funding the program.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Given that the sponsor originally supported this, and has agreed to my amendment replacing all of the text, I would like to officially request to be recognized as a co-sponsor.

[Joseph Cao]

Presuming the UBI helped people through COVID, why not just segue into a full UBI starting with families under a certain income level?

Belatedly responding to this but as I mentioned earlier, previous congressional debate on the pilot UBI revolved around how workable/efficient/helpful/widely adopted it would be. Although the "pilot" part has just about run its course with our COVID response in-game, the jury still appears to be out on that. It's not anyone's fault — the ideal time to do an assessment of the pilot UBI's effects would be around now — but that "presumably" is doing a lot of work.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Given that the sponsor originally supported this, and has agreed to my amendment replacing all of the text, I would like to officially request to be recognized as a co-sponsor.

Did you ever process your own request here, Scott?

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Given that the sponsor originally supported this, and has agreed to my amendment replacing all of the text, I would like to officially request to be recognized as a co-sponsor.

Did you ever process your own request here, Scott?

MB needs to approve or veto the request. I'll ask him.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Also, if we want a study conducted on the COVID UBI... we would need a CG for that. Or what lfromnj had been working on.

[Dr. MB]

I have no objection to Scott as co sponsor of this legislation

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Senators have 24 hours to object to the sponsorship motion.

[Dr. MB]

I'd like to motion for a final vote here

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Seconding the call for a final vote. A vote will open in 24 hours barring an objection.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

A final vote is now open. Senators, please vote Aye, Nay, or Abstain.

AN ACT
To establish a Universal Basic Income pilot program for parents with children


Be it enacted by the Senate of the Republic of Atlasia assembled

Section 1. Title

This legislation may be cited as the Children's Universal Basic Income Act.

Section 2. Monthly Universal Basic Income for Families with Children

1. Beginning in January of 2022, parents or legal guardians of persons under the age of 18 and have a disposable income of less than $150,000 shall be entitled to $1,000 monthly checks.

2. The income received shall not be taxed or counted toward existing benefits.

3. This program shall run until 2026, but may be extended by Congress.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Aye

[Dr. MB]

Kanye