Former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang is making universal basic income a central principle of his political campaign once again – this time for the mayor of New York City.
“It makes us stronger, healthier, safer, healthier mentally, improves our relationships,” said Yang of the concept of guaranteed income. “55% of Americans now seek financial help, in perpetuity, and 85% seek financial help during this pandemic.”
Yang’s proposed income program would extend an average of $ 2,000 a year to New York City residents living in extreme poverty and cost $ 1 billion a year, according to his campaign website.
The mayoral candidate told CNBC’s “The News with Shepard Smith” on Monday night that he would target New York City property-exempt owners, such as Madison Square Garden, to pay a portion of account.
“MSG tax incentives [are] $ 40 million a year, alone, “said Yang.” If you look at that money and put it back in the hands of the city, in addition to investing some level of the city’s resources, we can alleviate extreme poverty here in New York City. ”
Yang also commented on the dramatic increase in anti-Asian hate crimes in the United States, calling them “a devastating time for the Asian American community”.
Reports of anti-Asian hate crimes in the U.S. increased by 149% in 2020 over the previous year, according to the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism. New York City saw an 833% increase in anti-Asian hate crimes, according to police data.
“We need to designate these incidents as hate crimes and we need to build connections with the Asian American community because, I hate to say this, many of these incidents are still not being reported,” said Yang. “Many Asian Americans do not have that kind of relationship with law enforcement and municipal authorities, and I would like to change that.”