News California city gives residents $500 a month. Is this the future of progressive politics? March 1, 2020March 1, 2020Marco della Cava, Cassie Dickman, USA TODAY NetworkComments Off on California city gives residents $500 a month. Is this the future of progressive politics? In Stockton, California, 125 randomly selected citizens are getting $500 a month for 18 months under an unprecedented universal basic income program.