Outgoing Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla has signed an executive order to form a Guaranteed Basic Income Task Force, which establishes a pilot program to strengthen the financial stability of low-income residents.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“This executive order marks an important step toward a fairer Hoboken. Guaranteed basic income programs across the country have shown the power of direct, unconditional cash assistance to help families meet their needs while reducing economic stress,” Bhalla said in a statement.
“By laying this critical foundation, we are putting the city in a strong position to deliver a thoughtful, evidence-based pilot that reflects the values of our community. I am grateful to the City of Newark and the Mayors for Guaranteed Basic Income as well as the other experts my administration has worked with who have helped guide the development of this initiative.”
About 7.1 percent of Hoboken’s population lives below the federal poverty line, and rising housing and living costs place considerable pressure on low- and moderate-income households, according to Bhalla’s office.
The executive order affirms the city’s commitment to pursue strategies to reduce economic inequality and strengthen financial stability.
The order describes Guaranteed Basic Income as an unrestricted monthly cash payment provided directly to individuals, without conditions, which supplements and does not replace existing safety net supports.
The mayoral action also states that a portion of revenue generated by the Cannabis Transfer Tax could support the pilot program.
Additionally, findings from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey indicate that households with children tend to spend direct financial assistance quickly on basic goods, positively impacting the local economy.
This could potentially be Bhalla’s final executive order, since he is being sworn in as a state assemblyman for the 32nd Legislative District on January 13th.
“Newark’s guaranteed income program has shown that direct cash assistance can deliver real results by helping families stabilize their finances, reduce stress, and invest in their futures,” added Newark Mayor Ras Baraka.
“We’ve been proud to share our experience and lessons learned with the City of Hoboken as they establish this Executive Order because when cities work together to advance proven solutions, we strengthen our communities and move closer to an economy that works for everyone.”
The task force will be responsible for developing eligibility criteria, monthly payment levels, pilot duration, additional funding strategies, evaluation standards, community outreach and more.
It will be comprised of Hoboken residents, the local housing authority, and local nonprofit and legal service organizations that work closely with residents experiencing financial hardship including HOPES, the Hoboken Shelter, and the Hoboken Community Center.
“As the affordability crisis pushes families closer to the brink, the City of Hoboken is taking leadership to boost financial security among residents,” noted Mayors for a Guaranteed Income Founder Michael D. Tubbs.
“Guaranteed income pilots have shown promising results in New Jersey, helping people afford basic necessities, build savings, reduce stress and invest in their children. Unconditional cash assistance interrupts cycles of poverty and improves wellbeing, and that benefits families and communities.”
Anyone interested in joining the GBI Task Force must submit an application for appointment at here by Friday, January 9th for Bhalla’s consideration for a two-year term.
Once selected, the GBI Task Force members will provide quarterly reports to the mayor and city council, and submit a final implementation plan within 90 days, with the goal of launching the program in early winter 2027.
Something to consider for Fridays meeting; should political campaign contribution limits be rolled back, with the money then re-deployed to a basic income trust to cover this need? Developers contribute a great deal of money to political campaigns- and politicians do not hold them accountable for building enough affordable housing. This funding should come from interest groups, not the Middle class in the form of Higher taxes.
Your second sentence is spot-on.
When the middle class kisses up to the “upper class” and kicks down at the poor, our Country elects Republicans. When the middle class recognizes how coddled the “upper class” are under Republican administrations, and how the “ upper class” privilege has damaged the aspirations of those in poverty, the middle class repairs it’s bridges with the poor and our Country elects Democrats.
Please consider this as an official notice of my Executive Order reviewing and commissioning dibs on all ill-begotten gains by Ravi Bollards, which are to be deposited into my bank account as a Hoboken resident, both direct and indirect.
This notice shall be effective today and is commensurate with all Department of Justice, Treasury, and Funky Tobackie insider deals in Hoboken connected to any and all illicit activities by Mr. Bollards.
Mr. Farina, call the vote!
Hoboken needs more people ?
Hoboken taxes will jump double digits this year