VY NGUYEN ENGL 2210-008

COMBATING POVERTY AND

INCREASING QUALITY OF
LIFE WITH UBI
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction 3

Methodology 4

Results: Poverty in NM 4-5

Results: How can UBI Help 6

Recommendations and Costs 7

Conclusion 8

Glossary and sources 9

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UBI or also called

THE Universal basic income is
an income that will give

PROBLEM New Mexicans a certain

amount of cash every
month. This program will
New Mexico has the third-highest poverty help break the cycle of
rate in the United States, with 19.1% as of poverty in New Mexico.
2021. It seems our rate always remains higher UBI will help families
than average even though we make make ends meet as well as
improvements in factors like our education better their lives; by using
and healthcare. Why is this the case? The that money to help rent,
problem stems from the living conditions of buy school supplies, and
households and their families' circumstances. even just help one who is
From single parents who work multiple jobs unemployed. UBI will
to be able to take care of their family increase happiness,
financially, and not be able to interact with citizens' health, and
their children through important safety, as well as decrease
development stages; to the retired elderly the rate of poverty. It will
who goes through their life savings because be beneficial for all ages,
of medical costs. Problems like this are cycles and will create a positive
that will continue to exist in New Mexico domino effect for the
until a program gets established to stop this. future.
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METHODOLOGY
This report will contain information from multiple sources. The statistics
in terms of poverty in New Mexico(which will be shown later) and its
characteristics were from the Talk Poverty organization's website which
contains information that was collected through the New Mexico census,
As for information regarding UBI and how it can improve New Mexico's
economy and it's citizens lifestyle, it was taken through research papers
and real-life examples from countries and states that have UBI programs.

RESULTS: POVERTY IN NM
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These are the statistics that came from New Mexico's 2019 census and
comparing it to other states in America. These statistics are related to each
other, and cause the bigger issues of poverty in New Mexico. We are 50th in
high school graduation, there are a lot of circumstances that can be the
cause of this and it's not because our education system is lacking way more
than other states. Youths may have to work part-time jobs to help their
family financially, or stay home and take care of their siblings while their
parents are at work. How can students be expected to learn the best they
can when they are hungry or homeless. 24.7% of children in New Mexico are
living in poverty, because of this, they may not focus on school, which
decreases the number of educated in our state, as well as continue the
cycle as many of them may not get higher-paying occupations.

There are also other circumstances citizens might have that keep them in
poverty. Some citizens cannot work, like those in abusive households who
cannot make their own decisions and leave because of their financial
circumstances; Many of our elderly are also unable to work, and many of
them also have health conditions, which they use most of their retirement
funds to pay. As medical cost and lifestyle keeps increasing, many need
help to be able to afford it as well as the extra income can help them start a
better path in life and get them out of poverty
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RESULTS: HOW CAN UBI

HELP
UBI is not a new idea, on the right is
the list of states and countries who
has/had UBI programs in place. UBI has
been seen to increase citizens' well-
being and quality of life. Data from
Kenya shows that despite the Covid-19
pandemic and its disruptions of jobs,
production of food, and many more;
People who received UBI reported
fewer cases of hunger, depression, and
illnesses. Data from Stockton,
California shows that UBI recipients
showed less anxiety and increases time
spent with loved ones. UBI will help
the physical and mental health of our
citizens, increasing life expectancy
happiness, as well as helping them
better their lives.

There is always a concern about UBI

and social programs and how they
cause an increase in unemployment.
This has been disproved many times,
as most households cannot live off of
just social programs. Statistics from
Alaska show that UBI had not
decreased employment, but part-time
employment actually increased by 17%.
Aside from part-time employment, UBI
has been shown to increase
entrepreneurship and jobs. Because of
the extra funds, many find themselves
able to pursue starting their own
business. Alaska found that UBI
recipients contributed to a 15%
increase in entrepreneurship
businesses
Universal basic income can help
increase racial and gender equity.
Women are more likely to take on
the role of a stay-at-home parental
figure than men. This role is often
overlooked on how much it affects
our society, and it is also unpaid
labor. UBI also decreases racial
inequalities from other social
programs as the amount one
received might have been racially
biased. UBI does not allow for racial
bias as everyone receives the
amount.
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RECCOMENDATION
A Universal basic income program should be implemented in New Mexico,
giving those who qualify $200 monthly.

Qualify if make $40,000 or less annually

Qualify if 18+
Employment status does not matter
Not disqualified if you have a criminal background
This program will not replace other social programs, if you receive
unemployment insurance you can still receive the UBI Program

COSTS
Estimated around 25% of New Mexicans will qualify for the program.
Program upkeep will be $1 .2 billion. Costs will come out from...

Gas and oil, marijuana, and military industries

The program will also fund itself by increasing business and jobs,
spending, as well as more people moving over because of the program
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CONCLUSION
SOURCES
https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/education/stuck-at-
the-bottom-why-new-mexico-fails-to-thrive/article_78cc5744-
5f73-576b-ad7f-60f704d0fbdc.html
https://talkpoverty.org/state-year-report/new-mexico-2020-
report/
https://drexel.edu/hunger-free-center/research/briefs-and-
reports/universal-basic-
income/#:~:text=Universal%20basic%20income%20(UBI)%2C,co
mmunity%20with%20no%20means%20testing.
https://basicincome.stanford.edu/experiments-map/?sel=mads