Texas needs a Latino-focused Think Tank. It is confounding and disconcerting that none currently exist. Preferably, the Think Tank should be an independent non-institutional organization that can contribute to critical policy dialogue and a catalyst to impact public and private policymaking.
Latinos are a diverse population that also encompass their respective achievement of social and economic progress across the states’ 12 distinct economic regions. The authors argued that much more progressive policies are needed than even before the Covid-19 pandemic. That Latino political engagement and messaging must increase to influence policymaking.
The Texas Organizing Project is a grass-roots membership organization organizing in four cities at a neighborhood level. They’re organizing model involves strategic issue-based campaigns that engage people in the fight for their daily lives, direct actions, disrupt power structures, and deliver meaningful change with broad support base.
Texas’ ideology to accommodate the tax policy needs of the corporate sector while limiting human capital investments (e.g., education, health, housing, economic development) that equalize opportunities for economic mobility are legendary. The state’s regressive tax structure is a core pilar of this ideology where Latino and Black households are inequitably impacted. They pay more than […]
Recent publications and events regarding the history of Mexican American Civil Rights in Texas have garnered public attention. It could not be timelier given current enacted state laws that target voter suppression and white-washing historical TRUTH regarding the treatment and contributions of Native Americans, Mexican Americans, and African Americans.
Over 4 million Texas workers, half of them Latinos, have their economic mobility impeded because they lack employer-based paid sick leave. The 87th State Legislative Session preferred focusing on divisive issues and corporate hand-outs versus supporting workers to gain economic prosperity on a level playing field. The legislature and AG continually fight against cities passing […]
Political pundits have tried to make sense of the disappointing 2020 outcome in Texas for those of us who have wanted to see the state turn blue. In this essay, I provide my analysis of what happened, the challenges that we face, and the opportunities that we have in turning Texas blue….
One would expect Latino interests and concerns among the 87thLegislative Session’s budget priorities given they represent 40% of the states’ population and are a major reason for the state gaining 2 congressional seats: however, …
Latino faculty representation and leadership is crucial across Texas’s higher education system. Yet, Latino/a faculty is experiencing wage inequities regardless of equivalent and better qualifications. A group of Latino/a professors at UT Austin have been leading efforts to redress the extensively documented promotion and pay inequities that cut across the UT Higher Education System.
Latino electoral power is necessary to achieve structural policy change and real economic mobility. Recent record high voter turn-out must fuel year-round organizing efforts for voter participation to shift the states’ power structure as is beginning in Georgia and Arizona.