Former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang makes universal basic income a central principle of his political campaign, this time for the mayor of New York City.
“It makes us stronger, healthier, safer, healthier mentally, improves our relationships,” Yang said of the concept of guaranteed income. “55% of Americans are now to get cash aid, in perpetuity, and 85% are to get cash aid during this pandemic.”
Yang’s proposed income program would extend an average of $ 2,000 a year to New York City residents living in extreme poverty and cost $ 1 billion a year, according to his campaign website.
The mayoral candidate told CNBC’s “The News with Shepard Smith” Monday night that he would go to New York City property tax-exempt homeowners, such as Madison Square Garden, to pay a share of the invoice.
“MSG tax rebates [are] $ 40 million a year, just, “Yang said.” If you look at that money and put it back in the hands of the city, in addition to investing some level of city resources, we can alleviate extreme poverty here in New York City. ”
Yang also commented on the dramatic rise in anti-Asian hate crimes in the U.S., calling it “a devastating moment in the Asian-American community.”
According to the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism, reports of anti-Asian hate crimes in the United States increased by 149% in 2020 over the previous year. According to police data, New York City recorded an 833% increase in anti-Asian hate crimes.
“We need to designate these incidents as hate crimes and we need to create connections with the Asian American community because, I hate to say this, many of these incidents are not yet being reported,” Yang said. “A lot of Asian Americans don’t have that kind of relationship with law enforcement and city officials, and I’d like to change that.”