St. Mary’s Institute for Public Administration, Politics and Public Policy and the Department of Economics; and UT San Antonio’s College for Health, Community and Policy/Policy Studies Center are co-sponsoring the 3rd Texas Latino Policy Symposium (TXLPS) at the St Mary’s campus on October 1-2, 2020. The TXLPS’s strategic goal is to establish equitable public policies that contribute to social and economic mobility opportunities which strengthen Latino families. Strong families exemplified by financially stable home environments, increased education, secure employment, greater child development support opportunities, improved health, and more engaged voters.
The Coronavirus pandemic has amplified the historical and existing social and economic inequities that prevail in Texas. Latino advocates and allies face even greater political and policy challenges to influence much needed change across a broad array of interrelated issues. Local advocate and leaders have been at the forefront attempting to work collaboratively for solutions, while state leaders have faltered. The 87th Legislative Session promises to be exceedingly challenging for people of color, low income and populations marginalized from voter suppression efforts.
The TXLPS III will be a ‘working forum’ organized around actionable policy papers. It will have an inter-disciplinary applied research focus that can support community advocates and policymaking. The primary objectives are:
OBJECTIVES:
- To produce a ‘Policy Briefing Book’ that informs and provides support to community advocates and policymakers targeting social and economic mobility policies.
- To increase and strengthen Latino-based applied policy research and translate and bridge outcomes to inform and collaborate with community and policy actors.
Texas Latino households contribute $127.8 billion in spending power to the state’s economy each year (New American Economy 2017). The Latino spending power that could be significantly greater through the elimination of inequitable governmental policies and minimal human capital investments.
The Format and Structure for the Symposia include:
- Conduct the Summit over 1 ½ days.
- Limit participation to 110.
- Statewide representation is targeted from:
- Researchers – Community Organizations/Advocates – Governmental
- Graduate-level student involvement will be incorporated
- All attendees participate in the entire Summit.
- The agenda will incorporate 4- 5 ‘roundtable’ panels.
- Develop a post Symposia communications and Policy Brief Book distribution strategy
Symposium Links and Updates: