Durham Residents Might Receive a Guaranteed Universal Basic Income
Durham Mayor Steve Schewel
Durham Mayor Steve Schewel kicked off the councilâs work session today by announcing that the Bull City is among 30 cities across the country under consideration for a guaranteed basic income for some of its residents.
Although some local media reports state that residents would receive $1,000 a month, Schewel told the INDY on Thursday that the city does not yet have a specific plan in place.
âWeâre looking at other citiesâ programs to see the best,â he said.
During Thursdayâs work session, Schewel explained that he was a member of a national group, Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, whose goal is to encourage federal legislation for a universal basic income.
Grassroots Group Urges North Carolinians to Pledge Stimulus Checks to Undocumented Families
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A local immigrantâs rights group is restarting a grassroots initiative encouraging residents to donate part or all of their $600 stimulus checks to undocumented families.Â
Congress has mandated the IRS send over 100 million taxpayers the payments by January 15 to give struggling families a modest financial boost. But undocumented residents are ineligible to receive any federal relief, though many are frontline and essential workers or are part of a community particularly hard hit by COVID outbreaks.Â
The charge to help needy familiesâdubbed #PledgeYourCheckâis once again being led by grassroots group Siembra N.C., which has offices in Durham and Greensboro.Â
Durham City Council Members Outline Their 2021 Priorities
Mayor Steve Schewel
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Menâs Healthâwas grappling with the issues of gentrification, affordable housing, evictions, racial equity, and near out-of-control gun violence, with young Black men as both victims and perpetrators.
Looking forward, here are the issues that the majority of the Durham City Councilâincluding Mayor Steve Schewel and Mayor Pro Tem Jillian Johnsonâtold the
INDY will be their top priorities for 2021. (Javiera Caballero, Mark-Anthony Middleton, and Charlie Reece could not be reached for comment.)
The year, they surmise, will be one of pandemic recovery.
Pierce Freelon just turned 37. The charismatic musician, youth arts advocate, and educator is the councilâs newest and youngest member. He was sworn in on September 3 to fill the Ward 3 seat left vacant by Vernetta Alston, who resigned in April to join the state General Assembly.