County of Monterey deciding on universal income program

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) -- Monterey County Board of Supervisors has asked the Civil Rights Committee to study the feasibility of implementing a guaranteed income program to provide economic support to county residents and officials.

This program is presented within a community impact action plan emphasizing racial equity, seeking to mitigate the effects of economic disparities in the region.

The county faces a high cost of housing, which has led many to believe that an economic stimulus could help greatly for those in vulnerable situations.

“It would be very good, really, for all of us who are of very low income,” commented Ernesto Ochoa, a resident.

He also expressed concerns about the source of funding, “we have to see where the resources are going to come from, also so that it doesn't affect other things.”

Meanwhile, the county's Office for Civil Rights continues analyzing the logistics behind the proposal. However, many questions remain about how it could impact the county's budget, which is facing significant financial shortfalls.

Local officials continue to evaluate the balance between the need for economic support for residents and the plan's financial viability.

The program's future will depend on a thorough analysis by the committee, which will account for both the benefits to the community and the fiscal challenges that could be involved in its implementation.