Economic Security California (ESC) is pushing for a permanent guaranteed income program, building on over 60 pilot initiatives in the state. As federal funding from the American Rescue Plan declines, cities seek new revenue sources, with Los Angeles County expanding its Breathe pilot. Proponents like Michael Tubbs argue direct cash is vital for affordability.
Founded in 2016, the Economic Security Project (ESP) is a network of 100 entrepreneurs, activists, researchers, and philanthropists focused on promoting direct cash payments to individuals.
Now, its California chapter, Economic Security California (ESC), is leading the charge to establish a permanent guaranteed income program in the state. California currently has the most guaranteed income initiatives in the United States, with over 60 pilot programs launched. ESC aims to transition these pilots into a permanent infrastructure, advocating for direct cash as a complementary support to existing public benefits.
The organization emphasizes the need to move beyond philanthropy and explore public funding mechanisms such as dedicated local taxes or shifting affordability-focused investments into direct cash supports. One notable pilot is the Breathe program in Los Angeles County, which randomly selected 1,000 participants in 2022 to receive $1,000 per month for three years, funded by taxpayer money and the federal American Rescue Plan Act.
In 2023, the program expanded to include 200 additional former foster youth from the county's Department of Children and Family Services, providing them the same monthly stipend for two years. However, as federal funding from the American Rescue Plan runs out, many cities are seeking alternative revenue sources to sustain these programs.
For instance, in November 2025, the board of commissioners unanimously approved $7.5 million for a permanent guaranteed basic income program, signaling a shift toward long-term solutions. Proponents argue that guaranteed income is essential to address affordability crises in the United States. Michael D. Tubbs, former mayor of Stockton, California, and president of Mayors for Guaranteed Income, asserts that regular cash infusions are necessary to help low-income Americans stay afloat amid high costs for rent, groceries, and gasoline.
Tubbs, who previously launched a successful pilot in Stockton, has become a leading voice in the movement. The ESC website outlines a permanent pathway for guaranteed income in California, calling for future research to integrate GI with the existing public benefit system. As more jurisdictions explore permanent programs, the debate continues over funding sustainability and effectiveness.
Advocates believe that direct cash empowers recipients to make their own choices, reducing poverty and improving well-being, while critics question long-term fiscal impacts and dependency. The development in California reflects a broader national experiment with universal basic income concepts, with outcomes closely watched by policymakers and researchers alike
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