I'm skeptical anti-UBI. Well... let's put it this way. If Stockton instead did a program where those 125 had to go to community college to get an associates (ba

I'm skeptical anti-UBI. Well... let's put it this way. If Stockton instead did a program where those 125 had to go to community college to get an associates (bachelors would be best, but let's stick to the 2 year timeline they gave to be fair) in something useful or some sort of skilled trade along with the 500/mo, that perks my interest and gets my vote for a pilot program in my area. To me, that's not just throwing money around hoping for the best, it's a straight up investment in people and communities. When I say useful, I mean it. No philosophy, art history or anthropology. Something in the Occupational Outlook Handbook that's currently needed and has a good 5 to 10 year outlook that's realistic for people to get a paying job better than a cashier in a short time span. STEM and medical would be great, but 2 years is a bit rough on education level to get a job in those fields. Maybe not. New course programs should be developed? Also, I think the 500/mo (maybe more) stipend is based on doing well in whatever course you're taking. You slack, you're cut. Hell, maybe a sliding scale on stipend amount if you choose a career that's really high in demand. Add in, different industries are more realistic than others in different areas. I'm in the Space Coast in Florida. A shitty STEM background gets you a decent job around here. Other areas are not so lucky. Adjusting fire on suggested careers would be necessary. Obviously some (a lot) number tweaking is needed, but I hope the general idea comes across. Even though what I suggest is more expensive, I think in the long term it would be cheaper on the city. I would vote for it too. Under this idea, the handout money is not longer the pump. Because now, the "help" is done and over in Stockton. With an added education in something extra they didn't know before the program, the participants will end up being the pump increasing tax revenues for their community. I know I just did the whole scholarship/grant program with a few extra steps. Honestly, the system back in the mid-2000s was broken (I don't know what it's like if it's changed since then).