My friend and colleague in the cause Cesar Espinosa, Executive Director of FIEL Houston, debated an anti-immigrant zealot on the popular PBS show. Topics covered including Arizona’s racial profiling law, 287(g), and generally, comprehensive immigration reform. It was a great show in which Democrats can learn from an activist like Espinosa on how to properly and eloquently address these issues.
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Posted in Chicano Politics, DREAM Act, Immigration, LatinoVote '10, Republinutiness, Texas Dems 2010, Texas Lege, U.S. Ethnic Relations
The local Democratic Party called out the Republicans on their latest hypocrisy. Here’s something I support and think you should contribute today! Let’s get that Latino Vote out!
Dear Fellow Democrat,
This past weekend the Texas Republican Party adopted their official party platform, demanding, among other blatantly anti-Latino provisions, a law making “American English the official language of Texas and the United States,” declaring, “we have room for but one language here and that is the English language; one nation, one language,” and insisting that bilingual education be discontinued in public school.
Then, the very next day, they released a new campaign video entirely in Spanish, urging Hispanic voters to support the GOP!
This hypocrisy cannot be allowed to continue. And the hateful anti-Latino programs the Republicans want to implement cannot be allowed to pass. Help us counter this blatant hypocrisy today by donating $20 to the Harris County Democratic Party’s Coordinated Campaign!
The Latino vote is crucial in this year’s election. The GOP will stop at nothing in this election — even violating their own party’s demand for “English only.” We must have the resources to counter this duplicity and show Hispanic voters the Republican Party does not stand with them, but rather, against them. Click here to contribute $20 or more to Coordinated Campaign today to expose these mean-spirited, anti-immigration, anti-Latino Republicans for what they really are!
We need to be able to communicate exactly what Republicans stand for, as embodied in their party platform. Will you stand with the Coordinated Campaign by donating $20 or more to fight back and let people know what the Republicans are really all about?
Sincerely,
Esmeralda Rodriguez
Deputy Campaign Manager
2010 Coordinated Campaign
Harris County Democratic Party
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Posted in 2010 Profiles, DREAM Act, Immigration, LatinoVote '10, Texas Dems 2010, Texas Lege
Where’s the Commitment?
The Chron reports on a “sobering” study regarding Houston ISD grads and their college degree completion rates. But are the numbers really that surprising? The study found that 15% of those HISD students who enroll at a college or university complete their degrees in 4 years. Let’s face it, most studies use a 6-year rate, and for HISD, the 6-year graduation rate is 57%. Not too shabby, but again this is of those that actually enroll in a degree program.
What the article seems to miss (as well as the Grier and the electeds) is college affordability and mere survival. Given that a majority of students are from low-socioeconomic status families, completing a degree in a “timely” manner is quite the challenge. Instead, Grier chooses to pass blame, while missing the fact that Republican-led state legislature and state government has chosen to starve public education as well as higher education initiatives.
Make it about the Big XII and football and they’re willing to throw hundreds of millions of dollars at politically connected architects and construction companies. Try to lobby for a few hundred thousand dollars for a retention and graduation program and you are met with stalling and a lack of commitment to building a better prepared Texas workforce. Why doesn’t Grier say something about that?
The problem is a political one, not one of employee performance.
That’s OK, We’ll Have A Nice Shiny Jail for the Drop-Outs
Yes, we’re talking about Sheriff Adrian Garcia’s idea to build a new booking facility, but this one with a mental health facility. Of course, an expert in criminal justice reform Ana Yanez-Correa had this to say:\
“When economies get really difficult,” Yanez-Correa said, “the first things that are cut are treatment programs.” Such a scenario removes programs that could save taxpayer money in avoided jail costs while retaining the debt, interest and operational costs of a new facility.
I took the liberty of posting the link to the article, along with this quote on my Facebook page, and I got the attention of Sheriff Garcia’s PR guy, Alan Bernstein, who responded:
Apples and guavas, my friends. Local facilities are built with bonds, TIRZs and property revenues; treatment programs here are funded by the state (MHMRA), grants, health insurance. One does not rob the other.
So, does this mean that if the state, given its $18 billion shortfall and coming cuts, reduces its treatment program funding that Harris County will foot the bill? I mean, given that the “gift” of a mental health facility in a new jail could cause voters to support such a bond to build a facility, then we do need to think of operational costs, as well as who is committed to paying for its operations (county, state, etc.). I seriously doubt we can write into the bond that the State will cover the costs of the mental health facility no matter what the condition of the budget. Something to think about, my friends.
Back to Grad Rates (overall, not athletic)–The Big 12-2
The new Big-whatever boasts some pretty high 6-year graduation rates, with the lowest being Texas Tech, which is still in the high 50s.
Texas – 78% Texas Tech – 57% Texas A & M – 78% Baylor – 72% Oklahoma -62% Oklahoma State – 60% Missouri – 67% Kansas – 60% Kansas State – 58% Iowa State – 67%HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!
Have a great weekend with your Dads, or with the great memories of your Dad.
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Posted in Thoughts on Viernes
Texas Agricultural Commissioner Republican Todd Staples decided to waste some time unfolding a map that shows where Texas does not have broadband.
Gilbert’s comments came hours after Staples made a significant production of unveiling a map of Texas illustrating areas that have and do not have broadband access.
“That map will do nothing for people without broadband access,” said Gilbert (D-Whitehouse). “I’m sure people on landline modems will be grateful to Todd-after the 45 minutes it takes them to actually view the map to determine, sure enough, that their area isn’t served by broadband,” Gilbert continued.
“This is yet another stupid, sleazy, ‘look-at-me’ political trick designed to cover up the fact that he’s one of the best at wasting tax money in the history of the state,” he noted.
Staples is using an election year to basically point out what he hasn’t done during his term in office.
“Aside from the fact that he considers the federal stimulus dollars for broadband an excuse to gain further name recognition, what has Todd Staples really done to increase broadband connectivity in Texas,” Gilbert asked. He also questioned why TDA officials have said publicly, in the weeks prior to the map’s unveiling, that they didn’t know what areas of Texas were not served by broadband or high-speed internet access.
“It is a sad day when the agency and commissioner in charge of making sure rural areas get broadband don’t know which areas are underserved. It’s even more sad that the TDA had to depend on a public-private partnership with a non-profit agency to figure it out. I don’t think it will come as a surprise to anyone that telecom companies have far more granular information on existing service areas,” Gilbert said.
“Based on the information available on the website Staples is touting, anyone with a pulse, vocal chords, and the ability to dial the keys on a telephone could have collected this information from providers. I don’t see why it has taken Todd Staples nearly four years to do this,” Gilbert said.
Staples has dropped the ball as Ag Commissioner, particularly on the issue of expanding broadband to Rural Texans. Instead, he has used the position to become a cheerleader against anything that would build the Texas economy and expand our workforce.
“A study released two years ago showed that a one-percent increase in Texas broadband penetration would bring 21,000 new jobs to Texas and that a three-percent increase would mean 63,000 new jobs for Texas. Why didn’t he bother to do something in 2007 when these figures were revealed,” Gilbert continued.
Hank Gilbert’s the only candidate who will run the Texas Department of Agriculture with the people in mind. Vote and support Hank!
Here’s a FACT SHEET below the fold.
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Posted in LatinoVote '10, Texas Dems 2010, Texas Lege
The FIEL Houston Executive Board
I spent a couple of hours visiting with the hard-working people of Familias Inmigrantes y Estudiantes en la Lucha (Immigrant Families and Students in the Struggle), located in SW Houston, just outside of the Mahatma Ghandi District on Hillcroft. While it was an informal visit to experience the unveiling of their new website, as well as a talk about the newest Texas Congressional supporters of the DREAM Act, I was able to sit in during a Telemundo interview.
FIEL recently celebrated its third anniversary as a non-profit organization available to assist immigrant students with financial aid and scholarship information that will allow students to access a college education after completing K-12, as well as serve as a conduit to immigration services around Houston. Finally, FIEL also conducts legislative research and action on issues surrounding comprehensive immigration reform, and is at the forefront of the DREAM Act movement which is picking up steam on a daily basis. In fact, it is through legislative and direct action that FIEL Houston is able to create a leadership base for the next generation.
Directed by Cesar Espinosa, FIEL Houston also has a board of active and engaged members who help guide the organization through its mission. With a commitment to family unity, FIEL Houston literally brings families together for the purpose of building a better and diverse Houston, Texas, and America.
There’s no doubt that the DREAM Act and CIR will become reality and organizations like FIEL Houston will be a reason for their enactments. And while the DREAM Act is the lead legislative goal of the group, Espinosa answers the question: What happens once DREAM Act is passed?
“Well, FIEL Houston will become available to assist the DREAM Act benefit recipients through their change in immigration status, but we will also continue our work to pass and enact Comprehensive Immigration Reform.”
Board Member Dayana Gomez is a founder of the organization and gives this description regarding her support of the DREAM Act, “The DREAM Act would help students who were brought here at a young age to continue their studies; the Act gives hope for these students to continue their studies.”
Personally, Gomez’s goal is to complete a Master of Social Work so that she can continue assisting the Latino community with elevated services not readily available. Again, this organization will be credited with the leaders which it creates.
Regarding the goals of FIEL Houston, Gomez promotes student involvement, “Whether it is with FIEL or other groups, the more involved you get, the easier change will happen.”
Gomez also stressed that once the DREAM Act is passed, the work is not done, “DREAM Act is the first part of the struggle, but we will continue working for comprehensive immigration reform.”
DosCentavos.net would like to thank this wonderful organization for the grand tour, the discussion, and for just plain existing. They serve as an example for other organizations in regards to being focused, aware, and ready to put in the sweat equity to make change happen.
For more information, visit http://FIELHouston.org. You can also follow them on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/FIELHouston. And on YouTube.
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Posted in DREAM Act, El Mundo, Higher Education, Houston Politica, Immigration, K-12 Education, U.S. Ethnic Relations, Wise Latinas
DosCentavos will be at a press conference where local pro-Migrant group FIEL (Familias Inmigrantes y Estudiantes En la Lucha) will announce the creation of a new web-tool to assist immigrant families with information and resources available in Houston. FIEL will also be providing the latest on progress toward the DREAM Act, including recent support gained from two Texas Congressmen, Al Green (D-Houston) and Henry Cuellar (D-Laredo).
Unfortunately, not all of the news is good. The Obama Administration through Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett met with the four DREAM walker students who recently completed a 1500 mile walk from Miami to Washington, DC.
An outspoken group of undocumented immigrants, who have met twice with senior White House advisor Valerie Jarrett to discuss the need for immigration reform, say the administration has rejected a request for an executive order to halt deportations of students who came to the U.S. illegally as young children.
The administration seems to have broadened its definition of “peacemeal” by re-stating its support of Comprehensive Immigration Reform, rather than applying individual solutions, such as the DREAM Act or even a moratorium on deportations of these students, who (unlike the ABC quote above), were brought to the United States by their parents at a very young age. In fact, these students are as American as anyone and have little knowledge of their countries of birth. Deportation would be a violation of human rights at the hands of President Obama.
“I have been in the U.S. since I was two years old,” said 22 year-old Carlos Roa, one of the students who met with Jarrett. “There is no way for me to adjust my immigration status in the only nation I know as home… Hundreds of thousands of students just like me who believed in his [Obama’s] promise of change are now feeling completely disillusioned.”
And those of us privileged to be citizens, yet brown on the outside, are just as dissillusioned.
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Posted in Cultura Chicana, DC Ojo, La Familia, Para La Gente
Just got this from the Office of Councilman Al Hoang regarding a proposed water/wastewater rebate program for rent-restricted multi-family dwellings.
DosCentavos expressed some major concerns regarding the water/wastewater fee hikes, which recently went into effect, and this program would alleviate a bit of the hike for income-limited folks.
Houston City Council is set to vote on an ordinance to establish a two part water and wastewater rebate program for multi-family dwellings. The two parts include: 1) a two-year program for rent-restricted multi-family units, and; 2) a two or three year program for other multi-family complexes. The latter will be considered by City Council later this year.
Council Member Al Hoang says the program for rent-restricted units will reduce the initial water rate increase by more than half, “the program will cut the increase from 30.1% to 12.5%.” Hoang originally expressed concern over the increase and its potential affect on fixed income residents, but says the proposed program will help alleviate some of the burden, “I am glad we are providing some assistance to those who really need it, and more is on the way.”
The City Council hopes the program will encourage rent-restricted apartment managers to work with their tenants to reduce water consumption through conservation education, thus saving water and reducing their water bills.
The proposed rebate program comes days after the city’s new water and sewer went into effect. The rate increase was necessary in order to cover the city’s cost of providing service.
“I encourage my colleagues to approve this ordinance and bring much needed assistance to low income residents in our city,” said Hoang. City Council is set to vote on this measure tomorrow.
I have yet to hear the “against” side to this proposal, so if a member of Council has an “against” argument, please send it over to doscentavos [at] gmail.com.
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Posted in City of Houston, Houston Politica, HoustonVotes 09, Mayor Parker
Congressman Al Green (D-Houston) has given local DREAM Activists a big push by announcing he would co-sponsor a stand-alone DREAM Act.
A rally to help the Congressman make this decision was to be held on Wednesday; however, the DREAMers have decided to step up their efforts to gain the support of another Texas Congressman, Henry Cuellar. And they have wasted no time in calling out Cuellar:
Some people still have not taking a leadership position on this which is why we are asking you to put pressure on Henry Cuellar. The info is Below:
The son of Laredo, son of immigrant parents and most degreed congressman refuses to co-sponsor the DREAM Act. He knows the struggle of immigrants but has not supported viable solutions like the DREAM Act. He continues to provide unreasonable excuses, e.g. he will not support piecemeal approach but has co-sponsored Ag Jobs.
It should also be noted that Cuellar has been one of the Washington insiders that has perpetuated the private prison boondoggle. Let’s not forget the photo ops with the worst of the other side.
The DREAM Activists, who are also staunch supporters of Comprehensive Immigration Reform, have continued engaging people, visiting with members of Congress across the United States, and gaining more support for the stand-alone DREAM Act.
Posted in DREAM Act, Immigration
If you thought the usual racist, anti-Latino values of the Republican Party had peaked in Arizona, well, you just hadn’t been paying attention to Texas. ”The Texas GOP got tougher on immigration,” is the line we’ll hear from the press; in fact, this should be a wake-up call for the 25 to 35% of Texas Hispanics who continue to contemplate giving their vote to the Republinuts.
And for Latinos, especially young Latinos who seldom vote, it should be a call to arm themselves–with their voter registration cards.
Here’s the gist of the GOP’s Hate Platform:
The platform encourages state lawmakers to create a Class A misdemeanor criminal offense “for an illegal alien to intentionally or knowingly be within the State of Texas,” and to “oppose amnesty in any form leading to citizenship for illegal immigrants.”
Texas Republicans also want to limit citizenship by birth to those born to a U.S. citizen “with no exceptions.” The platform calls for the end of day-labor work centers and emphasizes border security, encouraging “all means … (to) immediately prevent illegal aliens.”
The party’s education platform calls for the end of federally sponsored pre-kindergarten, and opposes any mandatory pre-kindergarten or kindergarten.
This has been a losing strategy of the Republicans, nationally. Even their chief Republatino, Lionel Sosa, is worried.
The party must do a better job of drawing Hispanics or what is now “a serious problem,” Sosa said, could turn fatal.
Within a dozen years, Latinos could be electing Democrats “because Democrats have the right message and Republicans have the wrong message,” Sosa said. “I don’t think it will happen. If it happens, then Texas will turn into a Democratic state and once Texas turns Democratic … We’ll never elect a Republican president again.”
Still, the Democrats must provide more than just a “we’re nicer than they are” facade. There must be engagement and relationship building with the people. And there must be a push by the Texas Democratic Party and its candidates to not only defend those being attacked, whether it be Latinos, GLBT, African American or any other group, but also promote and enact productive public policy.
As I’ve always said, if it helps Latinos it helps the entire State of Texas. Attack Latinos and we’re back to the usual race to the bottom promoted by Rick Perry, David Dewhurst and the rest of the Republicans.
Ultimately, the key is not only “the Latino Vote,” but the engagement of young Latinos–the sons and daughters of those under attack, whether they be undocumented or documented.
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Posted in Chicano Politics, DREAM Act, Houston Politica, Immigration, LatinoVote '10, National Democrats, Texas Dems 2010, Texas Lege, U.S. Ethnic Relations
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