A local elected official in Iowa is voicing opposition to state lawmakers after they halted attempts by cities and counties to test direct cash payments to residents. Mandi Remington, a Democratic county supervisor in Johnson County, criticized what she sees as limitations placed on local governance due to state-level ‘ideological wars’.
Remington expressed her desire to trial cash payments for low-income residents as a potential poverty-reduction policy. However, the initiative was blocked before it could proceed. ‘We are supposedly a home rule state, but that’s not what it seems like in practice,’ Remington said. She highlighted the challenge of implementing policies in politically diverse areas, noting, ‘I live in a blue dot in a red state and anything we try that is not mirrored elsewhere faces automatic resistance.’
In a written statement, Remington advocated for guaranteed income programs as beneficial to ‘everyday Iowans.’ The Johnson County Board of Supervisors sought to introduce a guaranteed income program, promoted by Supervisor V Fixmer-Oraiz, inspired by similar initiatives like the UpLift trial in central Iowa. This past effort provided 110 families with $500 monthly for two years.
Republicans across the country have opposed cash-handout initiatives.
Currently, local governments in Iowa face a ban on establishing guaranteed income programs, following the passage of legislation endorsed by Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds on May 1, 2024. Supporters of the ban argue that cash handouts undermine work ethics and perpetuate government dependency. Remington counters this perspective, emphasizing the lack of opportunity for research and evidence evaluation in the decision-making process.
Other states are experiencing similar legislative dynamics. GOP lawmakers challenge guaranteed income initiatives, raising questions about their legality and economics. In Michigan, Republicans scrutinize a cash assistance program for new mothers, while in Texas, legal action halted a county-level guaranteed income trial. Arizona witnessed a veto of a bill aimed at banning such programs by Governor Katie Hobbs.
Opposition to state-level bans continues, with progressive advocates like Adriane Brown from the Economic Security Project (ESP) condemning the restrictions. Brown defends the guaranteed income trials, citing their ability to provide stability during challenging life transitions, referencing Remington’s written appeals.
Funding presents a further challenge; many programs rely on federal pandemic relief initially. However, funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) must be committed by the end of 2024 and fully used by December 31, 2026. As these funds deplete, local leaders seek other sources to sustain cash transfer programs.
Despite these struggles, examples exist of successful funding paths, such as Cook County, Illinois, which transitioned from a pilot to established municipal funding. The UpLift program in Iowa has found non-governmental funding but warns of financial pressures on nonprofits and community agencies.
Reporter Joshua Q. Nelson, covering cultural trends and public policy, contributed to this narrative. Nelson, who joined Fox News Digital in 2019, brings expertise from his education at Syracuse University and the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton Public Policy Certificate program.