As the coronavirus pandemic shatters the economy and redraws society, policymakers are scrambling to find ways to soften the economic gut punch. This means policies once considered fringe are suddenly racing up the mainstream political agenda. Universal basic income the idea of giving people no-strings-attached cash handouts is one of those finding increasing traction.

The Trump administration has taken a very limited step in that direction by showing support for the $2 trillion emergency relief bill making its way through Congress. The bill includes direct payments to Americans to help them weather the economic storm.

Under the stimulus plan, individuals would receive one-off payments of $1,200 ($2,400 for couples) and an extra $500 for each child 16 or younger. The payments would be phased down for those earning between $75,000 and $99,000, and those making more would be ineligible for payments. Its estimated about 90% of Americans would qualify for this relief.

Whats being offered is not a universal basic income. Its means-tested, therefore not universal, and its just a one-time payment, not something that could help people meet their needs on an ongoing basis.

But it further opens up the long-running conversation about whether people should be entitled to some kind of guaranteed income to meet their needs. Thats something that Michael Tubbs, the 29-year-old mayor of Stockton, California, welcomes with open arms.