Guest Opinion | Scott Phelps: A Pasadena Basic Income Program

Pasadena has long had both a significant population of poorer families and a significant number of educated, caring and very wealthy people. As a result, there are an extremely high number of nonprofits—something like 1100-1200—in the city trying to help the poorer population and millions of dollars from city and school district funds (from taxpayers), charitable foundations, grants and donors have been spent over many years for the services of these nonprofits in their attempts to redress the effects of poverty. We still have levels of poverty that are significant. Pasadena’s famously very high level of inequality may have even gotten higher over the years like the inequality in the country has. We still have episodes of tragic violence in our fair city. We have persistently lower test scores of schools that show extremely high negative correlations with their families’ level of socioeconomic disadvantage. Why not try a basic income program to help decrease inequality and poverty?

El Monte just approved a basic income pilot program. Stockton was a pioneer. Oakland, Marin County, San Francisco and Santa Clara County and now Los Angeles County have programs. These programs are not long-term yet, but some studies have shown positive life outcomes from them. Imagine being able to pay certain bills without so much stress. Without the constant struggle for survival, parents could spend more time with their children and perhaps be able to partner with their child’s teachers and schools more. Perhaps less people would turn to destructive habits. Further, decreasing the levels of inequality in the city may lead to less crime and violence if the participants’ self-perception improves because they feel a genuine regard by others for their stature as human beings.

If these cities and counties can implement such programs, certainly the city of Pasadena, with the vast wealth of its residents and its famous companies and institutions, with its foundations like the Pasadena Community Foundation, the Pasadena Educational Foundation, the Tournament of Roses Foundation, the Child Health Foundation and others can implement such a program. The city already has great programs to give people the security of housing. We should show our further regard for our brothers and sisters of the human family by helping them pay their basic bills. I hope that the city’s policy leaders and foundation leaders will consider implementing such a program as soon as possible.

Scott Phelps is a Board Member of the Pasadena Board of Education.