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A guaranteed income is a monthly, cash payment given directly to individuals. It is unconditional, with no strings attached. A guaranteed income is meant to supplement, rather than replace, the existing social safety net and can be a tool for racial and gender equity.

Cash is the simplest yet most powerful way to do the most good for the most people in these uncertain times. It is powerful for three reasons. First, it moves quickly. Even with Treasury problems during COVID, 80 million American households received supplemental checks. Second, it allows for flexibility. No two American households are identical in their needs. While one will need funds for rent, others will need it for child care, and yet others will need it for a laptop, gas, or phone bill. And of course, most families need something different every month. Third, many people are only partially covered by or completely left out of existing social safety net programs. Cash can help fill these gaps and ensure everybody who needs help gets it.

Budgets are moral documents, and it’s time for the U.S. government to prioritize everyday Americans and their economic dignity. There’s a number of ways to pay for guaranteed income, from a sovereign wealth fund in which citizens benefit from shared national resources like the Alaska Permanent Fund, to bringing tax rates on the wealthiest Americans to their 20th century historical averages.

More cash in people’s pockets keeps families financially secure and stimulates the local economy. When the wealthy receive tax breaks, the money tends to go into their savings or investments. When low-income or vulnerable individuals receive extra cash, they buy things they need for their families and spend locally, which in turn helps create jobs and boost local economies.

County governments are in a unique position to bring about change. They play a vital role in fostering economic vitality in communities and strengthening the financial security of their residents. Counties and county leaders have direct connections to the communities they serve, which allows them to better understand the specific needs of their constituents and tailor programs to meet those needs.

Cash is effective and immediate, but it is not a silver bullet. We cannot use it as the answer for everything from solving the climate crisis to repairing our broken healthcare system to addressing predicted job displacement from automation. We need meaningful, systemic change to our economy – and cash is just one part of that.