Latino economic disparities cut across wages and benefits, median income, home ownership, debts, and savings. Their middle class and wealth-building status affect choices to strengthen family bienestar (well-being), civic involvement to gain political power and policy influence, and structural changes needed.
The U.S. Census is about power and money, and Texas Latinos have so far lost on both counts; in electoral power and federal funding that helps support important vital infrastructure and health and human service needs. Rogelio Saenz’s pre-2020 Census potential ‘undercount’ impact brief was predictive.
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.
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 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.
The coronavirus pandemic has rocked our world, completely changing our lives and our routines. It is a significant threat to Latinos’ 2020 census response and outreach efforts. Money and political power are at stake. Texas community outreach strategies are already challenged by President Trump’s administration discriminatory and inhumane policies directed at immigrants, and the state’s […]
Without transformative change to the State’s minimalist policy making approach, Latinos will experience another generation of unequal opportunity for economic mobility. Latinos and their allies must transform Texas policy-making to an approach driven more by principles of inclusion and equity. Symposia I and II participants identified economic mobility issues and policy recommendations grounded in the […]