Andrew Yang announces pilot program for his universal basic income plan

(Image credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

published 13 September 2019

Entrepreneur Andrew Yang announced at the Democratic presidential debate Thursday night his intention to give away $1,000 a month to 10 families in a test of his "Freedom Dividend," a form of universal basic income. "It's time to trust ourselves more than politicians," Yang said to applause (as well as mocking laughter from Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar).

The 10 families to receive the money in the new effort announced Thursday will reportedly be picked randomly in a raffle after signing up on Yang's website. "Normally when you give money to presidential campaigns, it goes to expensive consultants and ads," Yang's campaign told The New York Times in a statement. "For the first time in history, a presidential campaign is going to give money back to the people."

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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.

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