City of Wausau. MWC file graphic
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — Low-income families in the Wausau area could get some extra financial help thanks to a research program out of Pennsylvania.
Tuesday evening Wausau’s Finance Committee heard from Mayor Katie Rosenberg about a research program that would look at what happens when low-income households have a guaranteed income from their municipality.
The Guaranteed Income Research Program from Mayors for a Guaranteed Income and the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practices Center began in early 2020 by former Stockton, CA Mayor Michael Tubbs. Cities participating in the program receive a $100,000 grant and design a guaranteed income program to fit their needs.
Mayor Rosenberg explained to the Finance Committee how the program would likely work in Wausau. “Eighteen people may be up to 150 people depending on the funding. And you give them $500 a month for a year or a year and a half. The researchers study what people are buying. They ask questions about how has your life improved, how are you changing your habits, etc.”
The money would only go to a certain type of household once the guaranteed income program is established. Rosenberg says that in speaking with the United Way on the project, the income payments would go to ALICE households.
“It’s asset limited income constrained and employed. So that’s kind of where you would be targeting this. It’s not the people who are homeless and living under the bridge. It’s not necessarily that population. It’s the population of people who are the working poor who are really trying to make ends meet, they just can’t quite get there. It’s families with kids.”
Information on how the households are using the $500 a month would be taken by a research assistant local to the area. That information is then used by the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy and Practice scholars to see how a guaranteed income could help lift families out of poverty.
The Finance Committee did unanimously approve the City’s participation in the project to apply for the $100,000 grant. The research program would last for about a year using only the grant money. The city’s participation in the program still needs final approval from the Common Council at their February 9th meeting.
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