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Winter 2009 Cover Story- The 2009 Latino Legislative Day at the Capitol Director's Column- CLAC Testifies Before Senate and House on Budget From the Capitol: Legislative Affairs Community Notes: The Team Leader Experience at the 2009 Latino Legislative Day at the Capitol Un Orgullo Minnesotano: Un Sabor Latino: Plátanos en almibar
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¡El Minnesotano! E-Newsletter, Winter 2009
The 2009 Latino Legislative Day at the Capitol Experience Note: Antonio represents MN Congressional District 2, you can find out more about him here The best part of the 2009 Latino Legislative Day at the Capitol was the experience of witnessing the 200 plus event attendees. The gathering of so many concerned leaders and community members spoke volumes about the importance of the event agenda in advocating for Latino health access and education. I greeted attendees who had braved the cold and traveled from southern Minnesota, central Minnesota and the metro area to speak so that legislators could hear our voice. I saw students, college counselors, community folks all interested in learning about the legislative process; individuals from local community, immigrant rights organizations, and other social justice advocates were also in attendance. As a council member, I experienced a sense of pride in both the Latino community and CLAC as we fulfilled one of our fundamental goals: to provide venues for Latinos to engage legislators, to create spaces so our voices can be heard, to present a solidly researched agenda with research statistics, and effective policy recommendations behind it. It is our hope that some of our recommendations enumerated in the 2009 CLAC Legislative Agenda be passed as legislation this biennial cycle. It is a special point of pride for me that we were able to facilitate one on one meetings with legislators whose decisions directly impact Minnesota health and education policy. Furthermore, Legislative Teams were equipped and distributed informational brochures. We were united, organized and executed our plan well!. Following the event, I was delighted to receive attendee feedback and appreciation for our work at CLAC. Attendees commented on the importance of this venue for the Latino voice, and more importantly on the significance of carrying this voice through each year with a well developed agenda and strategic plan. In this sense, it is our vision for the future growth to continue community engagement; to keep knocking on doors that have not been opened to our needs. We are going to continue to invite all our brothers and sisters in Minnesota to collaborate in this project as we focus on common goals and to enter through the wide gate. I would like to see the day when the Minnesota Latino community will benefit from the efforts completed by many past leaders and community organizations, efforts which have been carried out in the Latino Legislative Day at the Capitol, and will benefit from health and educational policy change to keep all Minnesotans strong, healthy, productive and engaged.
Director's Column: CLAC Testifies Before Senate and House on Budget
During each legislative session, the Chicano Latino Affairs Council, along with the other state councils on ethnic and American Indian affairs, presents before the Minnesota Legislature on several policy issues that impacts Latinos in the state. For the most part, these hearings act as an opportunity for the council to engage policymakers and legislative bodies, and deliver concrete evidence and support for bills that empowers the community. Additionally, the council presents before senate and house budget committees regarding the council’s activities in the current biennium, goals and objectives for the following two years, and to respond to the governor’s budget recommendations. This past January, the governor submitted to the Legislature his budget recommendations for the 2010-2011 Biennium. Given that the State of Minnesota operates on a two-year budget cycle, the governor proposes this year an operating budget at the beginning of each odd-numbered year. The governor proposed a budget of $33.61 billion for the state’s next biennium. Initially, this is what the cost will be to fund state agencies, programs, and services, ranging from education and housing to health care and the environment. Among the governor’s top three priorities, he listed improving K-12 education, protecting state public safety programs, and enhancing the job climate. Furthermore, along with the governor’s budget proposal was his recommendation for CLAC’s budget. Compared to CLAC’s budget for the last biennium, the governor proposed a 5 percent cut or $596,000 for the next two years. The council’s base budget for the 2008-2009 Biennium was $622,000. In response to the governor’s budget recommendations, CLAC, the Indian Affairs Council, Council on Black Minnesotans, and the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans testified before the Senate State Government Budget Division Committee on February 04, 2009 chaired by state Sen. Don Betzold (DFL-Fridley). CLAC presented to the committee on the impact the budget cut would have on the council, such as in its ability to engage the community in both Greater Minnesota and the Twin Cities. Additionally, the budget cut would compromise CLAC from being able to contract with research entities in the state to help conduct studies on up to date issues within the Latino community. In closing remarks, CLAC requested the Senate committee members to waive the governor’s 5 percent budget reduction for the state’s councils of color. This waiver would secure 100 percent of the base budget and allow CLAC to continue its growing civic engagement model with the statewide Latino community. For more information on CLAC’s legislative work at the State Capitol, visit the council website at www.clac.state.mn.us or sign up for Click-CLAC, a bi-monthly legislative update on legislative affairs at the Capitol.
From the Capitol: Legislative Affairs The 2009 state Legislative Session has re-convened. As you know, the first year of the legislative biennium is devoted to policy with many important initiatives debated and approved. More than 1,000 bills have been introduced since the session started almost two months ago as previously stated. The odd-numbered year is the year when the budget is discussed and funds for the state operations, services, and programs for the current biennium are appropriated. We are all aware that one of the main priorities this session is to close the anticipated $5.2 billion deficit and balance the budget. Sadly, according to Governor Pawlenty, the budget deficit might reach $6 billion or $7 billion. The new forecast for Minnesota’s budget is expected to be delivered on March 3. We all recall that at the end of last session, when the state had to close another budget deficit, it was anticipated that the measures then foreseen were only a temporary solution to a major structural problem in the state’s finances. Once again, the current administration did not contemplate raising revenues. Experts predicted that the state would face another budget shortfall. The predictions however did not anticipate the severity of the national economic and financial crisis that erupted last fall. The collapse of the housing market has combined with rising unemployment to limit the state’s ability to raise adequate revenues. In 2009, unemployment is expected to hit an estimated 7.8% in the state with projected losses of 50,000 to 60,000. Home values are predicted to plummet more than $7 billion by 2010, while 30,000 additional foreclosures are expected this year in Minnesota. Governor Pawlenty announced at the beginning of February his budget proposal which now is being discussed by lawmakers with citizen input. The governor’s priorities are: protecting public safety programs, improving K-12 education, and enhancing the job climate. The Governor’s budget also contemplates a series of reforms that according to his administration would save state money, particularly in the area of health and human services. These cost saving measures may be putting people at risk in numerous areas. Based on an analysis by the Minnesota Budget Project, the Governor’s proposal includes eliminating adult eligibility for MinnesotaCare, eliminating state supported dental benefits, and reducing funding for child care. Other measures would include reducing state support for higher education by more than $300 million next biennium, and a cut to the statewide health improvement program from $47 to $24 million. The recently authorized federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) will impact the budget decisions in the state as approximately $4 billion dollars will come to Minnesota along with certain requirements. The $789 billion aid package includes $53.6 billion for the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund, which can be used for avoiding cutbacks, preventing layoffs, funding school modernization, or for other education-related purposes in K-12 and higher education. A Minnesota Management and Budget summary with preliminary information from the Federal Funds Information for States (FFIS) indicates that for Minnesota, this means approximately $671 million in fiscal stabilization for education; $2 billion for Medicaid; $502 million for highways and bridges; $114 million for Title I, among other important provisions in health care, human services, and education. After President Obama’s first address to a joint session of Congress, the White House will release $15 billion from the recovery package for state Medicaid programs. The federal economic stimulus package is a much needed one-time fix for an ongoing structural problem of fiscal instability in Minnesota. A long-term vision needs to emerge from this crisis. In the meantime, the Minnesota House and Senate hosted several statewide town hall meetings to get input from Minnesotans to the Governor’s proposed budget. Other proposals and suggestions have been presented by a coalition of diverse groups that include the Organizing Apprenticeship Project and the Minnesota Budget Project. Both organizations released a budget-balancing tool, developed through discussions with Minnesotans. The Kitchen Table Budget Principles emphasizes the importance of equity, citizen involvement, long-term investments, pursuing more resources, and ensuring that today’s decisions do not undermine tomorrow’s prosperity. The Minnesota Budget Project and the Invest in Minnesota Campaign are also making the case to raise revenues as part of a comprehensive part of the tax system. The creation of the state budget is now in process and we will not know until the middle of May -if everything goes according to schedule-, what the budget will look like. In the end, Minnesotans expect the governor’s office and the state legislature to find a long term solution to avoid the chronic fiscal instability that has characterized Minnesota and has become more severe with each economic downturn. A renewed social contract must envision a fair and balanced fiscal system that preserves the state’s quality of life by making wise investments in its social capital.
Community Notes: The Team Leader Experience at the 2009 Latino Legislative Day at the Capitol Being totally committed to Latino Youth Development, the legislative process never seemed to bother any of our participants, as we quickly and efficiently pulled together the team to represent the MN Latino Youth Development Collaborative (LYDC) and our message on Latino Pre-K-12 education. Together with Rosita Balch, one of Minnesota's most powerful advocates for Latino youth development, we first met with Mary Diaz, who works with federally-funded technical assistance centers in the area of second language learning, bilingual education, and “at-risk” student populations and their schools. She recently spoke about the importance of developing strong legislative relationships at a recent LYDC meeting, so she was the ideal person to help us get organized. Mary explained that we needed to present who we are, what we care about, where we are currently at, what is missing and what we needed from our legislator, Senator Ron Latz – St Louis Park, Golden Valley and Hopkins. Our goal was for him to get to know us, like what we are doing for Latino Youth and trust us to be the best resource going forward, regarding Latino Youth Development (Pre-K-12.) We also wanted to establish and develop an ongoing relationship and dialog as we progressed with our current and future LYDC strategy, programming and agenda for the future. After immersing myself for a number of years into Latino Youth Development, it became evident who the professionals were that have been carrying the bulk of the responsibility for protecting and advancing Latino youth in Minnesota. The problem was trying to get to all of them within such a short timeframe. So many individuals came to mind and were invited, yet it was these consistent and organized few that rose to the occasion. This is why the Latino Youth Development Collaborative became the obvious choice and its leadership, the best spokespeople for the visit to the Capitol. Once we analyzed and understood the depth and complexity of our message, we decided that Raymond-Michael would act as spokesperson and introduce the educational challenges facing the Latino community, as well as each member of the group. Rosita Balch (LYDC Leadership) kicked off our presentation with a powerful overview of Latino youth development challenges, issues, concerns, and the formation of the LYDC, our mission, what we have accomplished and where we need help. Next up was Norma Garces, Latino community member, and she spoke passionately about what is missing in pre K-12 education, that if present would make a difference. The next speaker in our group was Brad Capouch the Educational Programming Director for Sagrado Corazon de Jesus and co-Editor for the Espiritu Catolico publication. Brad clearly presented the Latino Community Relationship with the community at large, the issues that Latino parents are confronted with as they relate to their children’s education, safety and future development as well as access issues for the Latino community. Finally, Yolanda Maya, Latino youth advocate, spoke eloquently about the importance of developing an ongoing relationship with the State Legislature. She invited Sen. Latz to get involved with the LYDC and to help build the bridge of communication and collaboration between communities. Sen. Latz was kind enough to give us 20 minutes and then allowed time for photos with our group. He told us that our message would be more effective if we shared it with Sen. Leroy Stumpt, Chair of Senate Education. What is important to note is that we got organized and got our message clearly communicated. Finally, we all realized that developing a powerful collaborative relationship with our new friends at the Capitol would take precious time, patience and lots of work. Unfortunately, time is not our friend and the hands-on work that the LYDC is doing with Latino students, teachers, parents, counselors and administrators is our first priority. So we have decided to invite State Legislators to become a regular part of our LYDC meetings, programming and activities and eventually part of the solutions we are working so hard to create. We will also continue to meet with the appropriate state legislators at the state Capitol to continuously build and strengthen opportunities for the future success of our Latino youth in Minnesota.
Un Orgullo Minnesotano: A Closer look at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School
In January 2009, the Star Tribune reported that Hispanics are expected to be Minnesota's largest minority group within 10 years. You can find the article online here. For Minnesota Latinos, the article reinforces the urgency of educating the Latino youth that will grow up to see the reality of a Latino Minnesota majority. This edition of Un Orgullo Minnesotano highlights the effort of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in educating Minnesota Latino youth as involved leaders in the community.
Plátanos en almibar (Ripe plantain dessert) Instructions:
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