A recent study of the Stockton Economic Empowerment Demonstration or SEED program was released last week. That program gave 125 randomly selected residents $500 a month for 24 months. KCRA 3 talked to former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs about the program he spearheaded for the Port City. “The data consistently shows that all the things people say about people who have less money just aren’t true,” Tubbs said. “It’s been proven time and time again in Stockton but also in dozens of cities doing the same thing right now based off of what we did in Stockton that people spent money the way you and I spend money.” The former mayor also talked about what surprised him with the program. He says the improved mental and physical health of people wasn’t something he thought about when launching the program. “When we talk about mental illnesses or depression, anxiety, and stress, we often talk about those things as if they’re just chemical imbalances,” Tubbs said. “It makes sense that if you’re struggling to pay bills or you’re worried about whether your children are going to eat that that causes some stress and anxiety for you.” The SEED program launched in February 2019 and lasted for two years before ending. Tubbs said those who were chosen for the program used the extra cash to help pay off debts. He says that while it wasn’t permanent, it’s good that debts were erased.
A recent study of the Stockton Economic Empowerment Demonstration or SEED program was released last week. That program gave 125 randomly selected residents $500 a month for 24 months.
KCRA 3 talked to former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs about the program he spearheaded for the Port City.
“The data consistently shows that all the things people say about people who have less money just aren’t true,” Tubbs said. “It’s been proven time and time again in Stockton but also in dozens of cities doing the same thing right now based off of what we did in Stockton that people spent money the way you and I spend money.”
The former mayor also talked about what surprised him with the program. He says the improved mental and physical health of people wasn’t something he thought about when launching the program.
“When we talk about mental illnesses or depression, anxiety, and stress, we often talk about those things as if they’re just chemical imbalances,” Tubbs said. “It makes sense that if you’re struggling to pay bills or you’re worried about whether your children are going to eat that that causes some stress and anxiety for you.”
The SEED program launched in February 2019 and lasted for two years before ending. Tubbs said those who were chosen for the program used the extra cash to help pay off debts. He says that while it wasn’t permanent, it’s good that debts were erased.
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2023-04-18 15:19:00
