Basic income would buck panhandling in stingy Sioux Falls

Homeless veterans are often refugees from combat and despite lies from the South Dakota Republican Party video lootery, meth, loan sharks, domestic violence and homelessness are inextricably linked putting children at risk to more catastrophic consequences far more often than has happened in states that have legalized or lessened penalties for casual use of cannabis.

But, in miserly Sioux Falls compassionate conservatism is very dead because Paul TenHaken is a homophobic, christianic Republican mayor of a small city in a red flyover state who wouldn’t even vote for Jesus Himself if He ran as a Democrat. In the 2018 election TenHaken dominated the Sioux Falls general election in every area of the city but not in the core where unhoused people are trying to survive. Hizzoner wants the more fortunate to give money to religionist institutions instead of to the people who need it.

In response to an increase of calls of public nuisance, TenHaken said the city has removed benches, removed access to landscaping, and even dyed fountains. [Sioux Falls city leaders urge residents to stop giving money to panhandlers]

2020 presidential candidate, Andrew Yang wanted to implement a universal basic income of $12,000 a year and guaranteed income (GI) demonstration projects are underway in several states including in Colorado and New Mexico where cannabis is legal. Minnesota is still working on a basic income proposal but South Dakota is one Earth hating state where food insecurity is rampant and the infant mortality rate is nearly the worst in the US.

The Denver Basic Income Project (DBIP) is a program providing unconditional cash transfers to unhoused people living in Denver. The aims of the program are to test the feasibility and impact of guaranteed income for unhoused people.

All payment groups showed significant improvements in housing outcomes, including a remarkable increase in home rent and ownership, and decrease in nights spent unsheltered.

Participants reported positive shifts in financial wellbeing, with an increase in financial stability and a greater ability to pay bills and reduced reliance on emergency assistance.

Additional data analysis reveals that DBIP participation is tied to substantial cost savings in public spending and a large reduction in public service utilization, including emergency room visits, hospital nights, and jail stays.

Want to fix prison overcrowding? Legalize cannabis. In fact, cannabis taxes have raised the standard of living in bluer states. 

Learn more at Colorado Newsline.