Economic Security Project Action

We think about our potential impact on two time horizons. If we’re successful in the short-term with our Emergency Money to the People (EMP) campaign, nearly 150 million low- and middle-income Americans will receive direct payments through the end of the pandemic. As a part of our push for direct payments, we are continuing to grow and collaborate with our coalition work to execute strategies to move Congress – including lobbying and direct response advertising – to apply pressure to key targets, develop champions, and persuade swing voters. We are also collaborating with our state coalitions on local policies, building public support from key constituencies and strengthening the case for cash, including an automatic stabilizer structure. Over the long-term, we’d notch significant progress towards a guaranteed income as a part of a more equitable economy. It’s an ambitious goal, but we believe the time is ripe for establishing big, bold policies that will positively impact millions of Americans. We see Mayors for a Guaranteed Income (MGI) as a critical vehicle for this work, establishing elected leaders who are closest to their constituents’ needs as strong supporters and advocates for cash. ESP/A is focused on inculcating long-term, structural change, and translating pilots into policy. With this, through MGI, we are harnessing the mayors’ energy and unifying their voices to ensure their calls for cash are as strategic and impactful as possible. Our advocacy approach will also include investments in grassroots organizations to expand their capacity, creative cultural opportunities to engage culturemakers, and aggressive communication strategies to keep the stories of financially insecure Americans at the forefront of the national conversation.