Iowa House Passes Law to Halt Guaranteed Income Programs
Legislation Aims to Restrict UpLift Initiative and Similar Projects
According to the Des Moines Register, the Iowa House passed a bill to halt guaranteed income programs, focusing on UpLift in Polk County. UpLift managed by 36 groups gives $500 each month to 110 people for basic needs. Even though some Republicans and Democrats opposed the bill to halt guaranteed income programs, House File 2319, passed with 55 votes for and 43 against. Republican Rep. Steve Holt called these programs “socialism on steroids,” worrying they might affect how people work in Iowa.
READ ALSO: Approved Housing Bill By The Senate Finance Committee Announced To Qualify Renters For A Tax Credit
Democrats Raise Concerns Over Implications of Iowa’s Anti-Guaranteed Income Law
Democrats didn’t like the bill to halt guaranteed income programs because they thought it would take away local control and stop new ideas to help with poverty. This bill to halt guaranteed income programs lets the attorney general tell counties to stop guaranteed income programs and they could get sued if they don’t. UpLift can still run until January 1, 2025, but the bill to halt guaranteed income programs makes it hard for it to keep going after that. People worry because UpLift helps a lot of low-income folks in Polk County and it’s a big part of fighting poverty in Iowa. Led by The Tom and Ruth Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement, UpLift is important for many people in Polk County. However, the new bill to halt guaranteed income programs could affect its future and how other places in Iowa fight poverty. It shows how decisions like this one can impact communities and efforts to help those who need it most.