California legislature approves nation's first state-funded guaranteed income program

California's state legislature has unanimously passed a bill that approves taxpayer dollars providing guaranteed monthly income with no restrictions for foster children aging out of the system and for pregnant women. It's the first of its kind in the nation funding at the state level.

The $35 million measure passed 36-0 in the state senate and 64-0 in the state assembly, and is now headed to Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom's desk. He is expected to sign it, given that he endorsed the plan in May as a way to spend the state's budget surplus.

"If you look at the stats for our foster youth, they are devastating," Senate Republican Leader Scott Wilk told the Associated Press. "We should be doing all we can to lift these young people up."

The plan entails local organizations applying for the funding to distribute, and the state Department of Social Services will determine which groups receive funding. The payment amounts were not specified, but similar local programs around the country typically range from $500 to $1,000 per month for recipients.