Iowa Official Criticizes State’s Ban on Guaranteed Income Programs

A local official in Iowa has expressed frustration with state lawmakers for blocking cities and counties from testing direct cash payments to residents. Mandi Remington, a Democratic county supervisor in Johnson County, believes local governments are being hampered due to state-level ideological disputes.

Remington aimed to explore whether direct cash assistance to low-income residents could alleviate poverty. However, her plans were halted before they could commence.

“We are supposedly a home rule state, but that’s not what it seems like in practice,” Remington told Fox News Digital in an interview. She noted that attempts to implement unique policies in certain areas are consistently met with resistance.

Remington’s comments came after she wrote an op-ed advocating for guaranteed income programs. She emphasized that these initiatives could benefit everyday Iowans.

The Johnson County Board of Supervisors, backed by Supervisor V Fixmer-Oraiz, attempted to introduce a guaranteed income initiative to their community.

Local efforts were inspired by similar pilots nationwide, such as the UpLift trial in central Iowa. It provided 110 families with a monthly payment of $500 for two years. Remington argued the initiative sought to build on the successes of other trials.

However, plans were interrupted when Iowa Republicans passed legislation preventing local governments from creating or maintaining guaranteed income programs. Governor Kim Reynolds signed House File 2319 into law on May 1, 2024. Several GOP lawmakers reasoned that cash handouts could undermine work ethics, subsidize low wages, and foster dependency on government assistance.

“There’s no room for doing research. There’s no room for evaluating evidence. There’s no interest in even hearing about evidence that has been found in other places,” Remington stated. She criticized legislators for dismissing testimonies and lumping progressive ideas into ideological categories.

In her letter, Remington argued that curtailing local control harms working families. “Unfortunately, some of our state leaders are more interested in controlling local government and waging ideological wars,” she wrote.

Remington criticized the state’s ban as obstructionist. Seven Republican lawmakers joined Democrats in opposing the ban, recognizing the impact on hard-working Iowans.

Governor Reynolds’ office did not respond to requests for comment. Iowa is not alone; Republicans across the U.S. have raised concerns about guaranteed basic income programs.

In Michigan, House Republicans called for a thorough investigation into taxpayer-funded cash assistance for new mothers. In Texas, Attorney General Ken Paxton sued Harris County over its guaranteed income program, resulting in the Texas Supreme Court freezing the trial. Arizona’s Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed a Republican bill attempting to ban local governments from enacting these programs.

Progressive organizations have opposed state-level restrictions. Adriane Brown, senior communications director for the Economic Security Project, defended the trials, emphasizing the stability cash payments can provide.

Brown highlighted that not all Iowa lawmakers voted along party lines. “If elected officials’ end goal is to make sure families are safe and secure, then guaranteed income pilots should be allowed to exist,” Brown stated.

Beyond political opposition, these programs face funding challenges. Many cities launched cash-transfer pilots using federal pandemic relief funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. As these funds diminish, local leaders are seeking alternative funding.

Cook County, Illinois, established ongoing municipal funding for guaranteed income post its 2022 pilot. However, most jurisdictions lack budget capacity for sustained direct cash transfers without philanthropic or federal support.

“The UpLift program was able to find a way to sustain itself through non-government money,” Remington noted. Yet, financial crises affect government agencies and nonprofits alike.

Joshua Q. Nelson reports for Fox News Digital, focusing on cultural trends, education, and public policy. He has covered reparations, the Department of Education, and immigration issues. Nelson joined Fox News Digital in 2019 with credentials from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School and Wharton’s Public Policy Certificate.

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