Nov
24
Texas Faith for Fair Lending
The Christian Life Commission, alongside Texas Impact and the Texas Catholic Conference, has established a faith-based coalition to fight predatory lending practices in Texas. The coalition is unique in that it is a grassroots effort by people of faith to change these horrible practices in our state.
Currently, almost all payday and auto title lenders operate in a loophole in state law that sets no limits on the rates and fees they can charge Texans on small dollar, short term loans. It is common for the rates and fees charged to be the equivalent of 500% APR. These high cost loans are hurting Texas families. They are immoral, unethical and in direct contradiction of the religious values that most Texans hold.
Individuals, congregations, and other groups of faithful Texans are joining together as Texas Faith for Fair Lending to urge the State Legislature to close this loophole. We demand these lenders operate within the Texas Finance Code and stop taking advantage of our neighbors.
For more information, please visit the Texas Faith for Fair Lending website at http://www.texasfaithforfairlending.org.
To sign the petition supporting fair lending laws in Texas, please visit the Take Action portion of the webiste.
Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force
On November 17, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, along with local law enforcement agency representatives, prosecuting attorneys and non-profit organizations, met to discuss human trafficking prevention in Texas, including efforts during the 2011 Super Bowl to be held in Arlington.
This Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force was formed as a part of a legislatively mandated study of human trafficking in Texas. The study also resulted in a report from the Office of the Attorney General which included 21 recommendations intended to reduce human trafficking and improve services for victims.
Christian Life Commission Director Suzii Paynter serves on the legislative study group for the Human Trafficking Task Force, and brought her expertise to Arlington for the November 17 meeting. The Christian Life Commission actively supports legislation that will protect and care for human trafficking victims, as well as legislation that will support law enforcement in pursuit of those who trade in and profit from human trafficking. It is estimated that between 14,500 and 17,500 people are trafficked in the United States each year. One in five of those victims are trafficked through Texas on the I-10 corridor. The Christian Life Commission is dedicated to educating the public about this tragic issue through its fair trade initiative Good News Goods, and by working with other groups to develop the necessary laws that help end trafficking in Texas.
Texas Faces Major Budget Deficit in 2011 Session
As Texas heads into the 2011 legislative session, it faces an incredibly large budget deficit, ranging anywhere from $18-25 billion. The true number will be revealed when the state Comptroller’s office issues their report in January. This is significant because Texas must have a balanced budget for each biennium, meaning state spending must be balanced with state revenue intake. State legislators are calling for necessary cuts to be made from all state agencies to help create this balance. Unfortunately, many agencies help those in need, including CHIP and Medicaid services. Public education was thought to be immune from cuts, but many legislators and stakeholders estimate that is no longer the case.
While some legislators call for a cuts-only approach to off-set this budget deficit, others support raising revenue in addition to cutting agency budgets as needed. The Christian Life Commission supports a balanced approach to balancing the budget, including legislation that will help raise revenue from sources that will grow along with the growth in need for public services. There will be pressure to raise revenue through gambling, which the Christian Life Commission will vehemently oppose, as it has in years past.
If you would like to read more on the budget deficit the state currently faces, check out the following news stories:
KXAN News
Texas Colleges and Universities Bracing for Deep Budget Cuts
County Hospital: Anticipated State Cuts Don’t Bode Well
President Obama’s executive order reforms the faith-based office
From the Baptist Joint Committee: President Barack Obama issued an executive order Wednesday implementing many of the recommendations of a diverse advisory council designed, in part, to advise and reform the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships.
The executive order amends one issued by President George W. Bush in 2002 and clarifies some of the rules governing partnerships between the government and faith-based and community-based social service groups.
Among the changes are provisions that ensure compliance with constitutional standards prohibiting government-funded religion and protect the beneficiaries of federally funded social services. Specifically, organizations are forbidden from engaging in “explicitly religious” activities in the course of a program that receives direct federal financial assistance.
The amended order also directs agencies that award government aid to establish procedures to ensure that beneficiaries can receive benefits from an alternative provider if the beneficiary objects to the religious character of the organization. Each participating organization is responsible for responding to objections and providing referrals to other programs, as well as timely notice of these options for program beneficiaries. This provision replaces and expands upon a weaker provision that was often criticized as blurring constitutional boundaries.
The executive order maintains protection of the character of faith-based organizations, allowing them to compete and participate in federal funding programs without varying their autonomy, expression or religious character. In addition, the organizations will not be forced to remove or cover religious symbols or icons, as long as they do not use direct government funds to implement an explicitly religious program.
In February, a task force of religious and secular leaders charged with reforming the White House faith-based office, including BJC Executive Director J. Brent Walker and chaired by former BJC General Council Melissa Rogers, presented 12 recommendations to President Obama’s 25-member Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships. The recommendations were made to strengthen the constitutional and legal footing of public-private partnerships. The recommendations ask the administration to clarify the prohibited uses of direct financial assistance, provide guidance on the protection of religious identity while providing social services and assure the religious liberty rights of clients and beneficiaries of federal social service funds.
Oct
26
CLC Sets 82nd Session Legislative Priorities
The Commissioners of the CLC have reviewed and approved the following public policy priorities for the 82nd session of the Texas Legislature. These priorities, in a number of different issue areas, will serve as a guide for the work of the CLC public policy staff.
This session, Texas faces the prospect of a large budget deficit estimated to be a minimum of $18 billion. The CLC is concerned with both where and how the state seeks to generate revenue and where and how the state will cut spending. We encourage the state to seek equitable means of revenue generation that will grow with demand and not burden those who can least afford it. In addition, we ask that the state refrain from drastic cuts to state services that aid our most vulnerable citizens.
This list of issues and priorities is by no means exhaustive or fully inclusive of all the advocacy work the CLC will do. Each legislative session is unique and poses its own challenges and opportunities for a positive impact at the capitol and in the state. Many bills will be filed in each of our issue areas. The CLC will be monitoring their progress and taking appropriate action in support and opposition as the session develops. In addition, the staff will be monitoring bills pertaining to religious liberty, family life and health and long term care.
Throughout the session the CLC will be sending regular updates on the status of a variety of issues and will periodically send more time-sensitive alerts to let people know when their voice can have the greatest impact with lawmakers.
Gambling Expansion
- Oppose the introduction and expansion of predatory gambling enterprises including casinos in order to fund state revenue
- Maintain and protect our family-friendly tourism industry and other family-friendly businesses in Texas
- Support enhanced regulation, prosecution and penalties for 8-liner machine operators
- Oppose electronic bingo machines, VLTs, the legalization of poker tournaments, and continued attempts to expand Texas Lottery games in ways not contemplated by voters when approved in 1992
Predatory Lending
- Support legislation that will close the loophole in Texas law allowing payday and auto title lenders in Texas to charge borrowers unlimited rates and fees on small loans
Hunger, Nutrition and Poverty
- Improve access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as Food Stamps) to help Texas families afford a nutritious diet
- Increase participation in the Summer Food Service Program so that more children in Texas will continue to receive nutritious meals when school is out
- Promote policy solutions that help increase nutrition and reduce obesity
- Create a local, sustainable, and accessible food system for all Texans
Environment
- Support renewable energy in Texas as one source for rising energy needs including increasing the amount of clean energy available by raising the Renewable Portfolio Standard
- Support programs that facilitate the recycling of electronic waste including televisions.
- Create and promote incentive programs for churches and other nonprofit organizations that make investments in solar energy and energy efficiency measures more affordable
Human Trafficking and Immigration
- Support efforts to pass comprehensive immigration reform on the national level
- Support border security and law enforcement policies consistent with humanitarian values
- Support efforts to protect and care for victims of human trafficking
- Support law enforcement to pursue those who trade in and profit from human trafficking.
Alcohol and Addiction
- Promote regulatory programs targeted at sellers, parents and adults, including keg registration
- Support efforts to pass smoke free ordinances in public locations including the workplace.
- Support raising the excise tax on beer and alcohol in order to raise revenue and reduce under-age drinking
Criminal Justice
- Adopt safeguards to detect and protect innocence throughout the Texas criminal justice proceedings
- Advocate for continued improvements in the juvenile justice system including measures that promote rehabilitation and community-based treatment
- Support special drug treatment prisons, substance-abuse treatment centers, treatment diversion programs, and halfway houses for minor offenders
- Support the development and expansion of re-entry programs including access to basic safety-net services for those who have completed their sentence.
Education
- Promote the expansion of adult literacy and learning through workforce development, postsecondary access and expansion of ESL
- Support teacher training and family incentives to expand dropout prevention and drop out recovery programs
- Support parental choice within public school systems, standards of excellence and accountability for Texas charter schools and oppose providing public money for private sectarian use including vouchers
Texas Faith For Fair Lending
The Christian Life Commission, alongside Texas Impact and the Texas Catholic Conference, has established a faith-based coalition to fight predatory lending practices in Texas. The coalition is unique in that it is a grassroots effort by people of faith to change these horrible practices in our state.
Currently, almost all payday and auto title lenders operate in a loophole in state law that sets no limits on the rates and fees they can charge Texans on small dollar, short term loans. It is common for the rates and fees charged to be the equivalent of 500% APR. These high cost loans are hurting Texas families. They are immoral, unethical and in direct contradiction of the religious values that most Texans hold.
Individuals, congregations, and other groups of faithful Texans are joining together as Texas Faith for Fair Lending to urge the State Legislature to close this loophole. We demand these lenders operate within the Texas Finance Code and stop taking advantage of our neighbors.
For more information, please visit the Texas Faith for Fair Lending website at http://www.texasfaithforfairlending.org.
To sign the petition supporting fair lending laws in Texas, please visit the Take Action portion of the website: http://www.texasfaithforfairlending.org/Take_Action_.html
We value your input and suggestions.
Your comments and recommended resources are welcome in the comments box below.
Sep
29
Credit Unions Step Up to Offer Small Dollar Loan Alternatives
Predatory lending practices are an increasing problem in Texas and around the country. Payday and auto title lending companies across the United States offer loans to people in need of short-term financial assistance. These loans often result in heavy amounts debt and fees that add up to an interest rate equivalent of 500% APR. In Texas, such businesses do not operate under the interest rate and fee limits contained in the Texas Finance Code. Instead, they exploit a legal loophole, register as “Credit Services Organizations,” and operate under that code which has no limits on rates and fees. (For more information about how these loans can create a debt trap see our previous article. Many advocates opposed to these lending practices have been searching for small dollar loan alternatives.
This month, the National Credit Union Administration launched a program that combats these unfair practices by offering similar loans at better terms for borrowers. The new rules contain many consumer protections yet also ensure that making the loans will be cost effective for credit unions. Small dollar loans offered by national credit unions will have interest rates no greater than 28%, application fees under $20, will limit the number of loans that can be made to one person, and limit the number of times the term can be extended or “rolled over.”
Earlier this summer, the Texas Credit Union Department also changed its rules to allow more flexibility in short-term lending practices. The rules were adopted in July after a hearing in which Suzii Paynter testified in support of the changes. With new regulations (pdf) similar to those established nationally, Texans can be sure that local credit unions will not participate in predatory practices, and will instead be part of the solution.
The Christian Life Commission is excited about the progress being made to find alternatives to predatory payday and auto title lending. We will be working in the upcoming legislative session to close the CSO loophole and will continue educate Texas Baptists about how they can combat this problem with financial education in their churches.
CLC Staff Members meet US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack in Poteet
On Monday, August 23, several members of the CLC staff were in Poteet, TX to greet and hear from US Secretary of Agriculture and former governor of Iowa, Tom Vilsack. The secretary was in town on the first day of school to eat breakfast with students at Poteet High including members of the FFA. He then spoke to a group of local and statewide advocates about the role of the USDA in helping to provide meals to school children, promote nutrition, and fight obesity. He recognized that Texas is a state with unique challenges as well as key resources. Several members of the Texas Food Policy Roundtable were in attendance and able to ask the Secretary, as well as Congressman Henry Cuellar who represents Poteet in congress, about how Texans can work with the USDA to fight hunger. Stephen Reeves and Suzii Paynter then joined Secretary Vilsac and others including Texas Health and Human Services Commissioner Tom Seuhs, Eric Cooper, of the San Antonio Food Bank and JC Dwyer of the Texas Food Bank Network, in San Antonio for a tour of their amazing food bank. This invaluable time together helped to promote greater cooperation between the USDA, TDA, HHSC, and the Food Policy Roundtable.
Christian Life Commission and Texas Hunger Initiative Meet With Leaders, USDA in Louisiana
In early 2009, the Texas Hunger Initiative (THI) was born, with the vision to end hunger in Texas by 2015. Less than two years later, THI has implemented programs and set attainable goals to make that vision a reality in our state. Because of these successes, Bill Ludwig, Southwest Regional Administrator for the Food and Nutrition Services Division of USDA, invited Suzii Paynter and Jeremy Everett, THI’s executive director, to present the Texas model to community leaders in Louisiana, a crowd that included the Director of Communications for the United States Department of Agriculture.
Leaders in Louisiana were interested to hear about Texas’ plan for food security to see if it is something that could be adopted in their state. Jeremy presented the model Texas Hunger Initiative has used, including charts relaying accountability models, authoritative responsibilities, and the communication structure needed between state and community leaders to end hunger in Texas. The Texas Hunger Initiative also focuses on developing Food Planning Associations, local volunteer groups who adapt THI’s vision to their local communities.
Suzii presented on the Texas Food Policy Roundtable, and the steps organizations in Texas are taking to end hunger on a policy level. The Texas Food Policy Roundtable consists of both the CLC and THI, along with other statewide advocacy groups, all with the same goal: to end hunger in Texas. Suzii and Jeremy have a follow-up meeting in Louisiana with leaders from the state, and we look forward to sharing our knowledge and expertise with them.
We value your input and suggestions.
Your comments and recommended resources are welcome in the comments box below.
Aug
31
Lone Star Stewards
On Monday, August 16, Suzii Paynter participated in a press conference with fellow members of the Clean Energy Coalition announcing the release of a new economic study. The study, prepared by Billy Hamilton Consulting and produced for the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation is called Texas’ Clean Energy Economy: Where We Are. Where We’re Going. What We Need to Succeed (pdf).
Among the major findings, the report concludes that the state has the resources and the opportunity to become a leader in the worldwide clean energy economy but to maximize these economic benefits we will need to institute coherent, long-term state policies that support and encourage this emerging sector of our economy. The report predicts that if the 2011 Texas Legislature were to raise the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard to 13,000 Mega Watts of clean power and set aside 3,500 MW for solar photovoltaic energy, Texas would gain 22,900 jobs per year, the gross state product would increase by $2.7 billion per year, and state and local tax revenues would increase by $279 million per year, or more than half a billion dollars per biennium.
:: View The executive summary of the report (pdf)
The CLC is working with the Clean Energy Coalition to support these efforts out of our commitment to be good stewards of God’s creation, and because we believe investments in clean energy will result in jobs and economic development for many Texas communities. Our role, in partnership with Texas Impact, is to engage and educate the Texas faith community. To do so, will be holding three regional meetings throughout the state of Texas this Fall. All forums (LoneStarStewardsBrochure2010.pdf) are open to the public and registration is free. You can register online at www.texasimpact.org/lonestarstewards or call 512-473-2288.
- September 27, 2010 | 12:00 pm-5:00 pm (lunch & snack provided) | North Texas Regional Forum | Brite Divinity School of TCU, Ft. Worth, TX
- October 25, 6:00 pm-October 27, 9:00am (Food & lodging provided; travel reimbursement is available upon request) | West Texas Regional Forum | Indian Lodge, Ft. Davis Mountains, TX
Texas Food Policy Roundtable
The Christian Life Commission serves on the steering committee for the Texas Food Policy Roundtable, a statewide coalition whose goal is to make Texas a food secure state. The roundtable will focus on four areas of food policy in the 2011 session: the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Summer Food Service Program, obesity and nutrition issues, and sustainability & local food access.
The Steering Committee of the Texas Food Policy Roundtable has proposed the following draft agenda for the 2011 legislative session:
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Improve access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP; formerly known as Food Stamps) to prevent hunger and help Texas families afford a nutritious diet by supporting legislation that -
- Eases eligibility restrictions that prevent some needy Texans from receiving benefits.
- Adequately funds the eligibility system with the appropriate number of staff and up-to-date technology.
- Simplifies enrollment procedures by eliminating finger imaging.
- Incorporates a streamlining enrollment system, like the Benefit Bank software program, statewide.
Summer Food Service Program
Increase participation in the Summer Food Service Program so that more children in Texas will continue to receive nutritious meals when school is out by supporting efforts to -
- Address barriers, such as lack of transportation, that affect summer food access participants.
- Develop alternative service delivery models and expand the use of mobile meal sites to address barriers to participation.
- Improve coordination of federal, state, and local policies to remove barriers to participation.
- Provide non-financial incentives for schools to serve as commissaries for summer food programs, and to expand participation in July.
Obesity and Nutrition
Promote policy solutions that increase nutrition, and reduce obesity by-
- Increasing access to healthy food in low income communities, and exploring the Texas Enterprise Fund as a source of financing for growing and processing food in underserved areas.
- Increasing the stock of fruits and vegetables in small, independent stores by supporting fresh food financing initiatives, particularly in underserved areas.
- Simplifying and increasing participation in school breakfast and lunch programs, CACFP, and the Summer Food Service Program.
- Increasing support for and recognition of healthy initiatives in schools.
- Increasing accountability for the implementation of school coordinated health programs.
- Maximizing federal child nutrition reauthorization in Texas.
Sustainability and Local Food Access
Create a local, sustainable, and accessible food system for all Texans by supporting efforts to -
- Create incentives for local food production, urban farms and community gardens.
- Assist farmers in transitioning to fruit and vegetable production.
- Explore using funding for small business to increase food access.
- Promote local and sustainable food production practices.
We value your input and suggestions.
Your comments and recommended resources are welcome in the comments box below.
Summer Food Service Program
Increase participation in the Summer Food Service Program so that more children in Texas will continue to receive nutritious meals when school is out by supporting efforts to -
· Address barriers, such as lack of transportation, that affect summer food access participants.
· Develop alternative service delivery models and expand the use of mobile meal sites to address barriers to participation.
· Improve coordination of federal, state, and local policies to remove barriers to participation.
· Provide non-financial incentives for schools to serve as commissaries for summer food programs, and to expand participation in July.
Jul
27
Gambling
On June 30, 2010, the Legislative Study Group (LSG) of the Texas House held a hearing to begin the discussion of the benefits and consequences of expanding gambling in the next legislative session. Representative Garnet Coleman chairs the LSG and at the outset reminded all those in attendance that the informal group of legislator’s goal is to consider policies from the perspective of the average, tax-paying Texas family.
Numerous representatives of the gambling industry were invited to testify and share with members what their particular form of gambling can bring to the state. Both Suzii Paynter and consultant Rob Kohler testified on behalf of the CLC. Mr. Kohler’s testimony highlighted the inefficiency of generating tax revenue from casinos by noting that, to produce a little over $1 billion from a casino, the public would have to wager nearly $52 billion dollars. Mrs. Paynter underlined the history of broken promises made in previous gambling proposals, especially from pari-mutual wagering, and pointed out that the entire state of Nevada only generates around $1 billion dollars in tax revenue. At the end of her testimony she asked the representatives: “If you don’t gamble, and wouldn’t use gambling to solve your own problems, why would you use it to solve the state’s problems?”
The legislators in attendance asked tough questions of the gambling industry representatives and, we believe, moved the debate in a positive direction by calling into question the outlandish promises of revenue. Many members seemed to be concerned with where and who the revenue would come from and the negative consequences that would come with increased gambling addiction in Texas.
On July 8, the Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee of the House held a very similar meeting that once again featured many members of the gambling industry. The meeting appeared to be little more than a forum at which proponents of casinos in Texas could again air their lofty promises. A member of the state comptroller’s office had the only new information presented. The basic facts he recited regarding the scope of gambling across the country and the revenue generation in other states added a dose of reality to the otherwise rosy projections.
Lone Star Stewards
People of faith securing renewable energy leadership for Texas
At present, Texas leads the nation in wind energy production, but in order to further energy independence, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create sustainable energy options, and drive a new clean energy economy, we must continue to diversify our energy sources. By doing so, Texans stand to gain thousands of jobs while simultaneously improving our environment.
In response to the need to support these economic opportunities for Texas, The Texas Clean Energy Coalition has launched an effort to identify and recruit new voices advocate for clean energy, energy efficiency and the economic development for Texas communities. The Coalition will focus on competitiveness, economic development, job growth, energy efficiency and Texas’ energy leadership for the long term.
The Christian Life Commission and Texas Impact and are partnering together to encourage people of faith to join the effort. This new group of voices will be called the Lone Star Stewards. Forums will be held throughout the state in order to engage pastors, rabbis, imams and lay leadership in order to educate and motivate them into leadership in their local communities. Each forum will feature experts in both renewable energy and economic development as well as representatives of the local region and religious leaders. The dates and locations of the meetings are as follows:
- August 30, 2010 | Central Texas Regional Forum | McKinney Roughs, Bastrop, TX | 11:00am-4:30pm
- September 27, 2010 | North Texas Regional Forum | Brite Divinity School of TCU, Ft. Worth, TX | 2:00pm – 5:00pm
- October 25-26, 2010 | West Texas Regional Forum | Indian Lodge, Ft. Davis Mountains, TX | 6:00 pm October 25-breakfast October 27
Through education and advocacy, we can help make sure Texas remains a leader in energy in the 21st century. There is no registration fee to attend. For more information contact Charlotte Bumbulis or Julie Valentine or call 512-473-2288.
Texas Food Policy Roundtable
The Texas Food Policy Roundtable met on July 20, 2010 for our 3rd quarterly meeting.
The meeting was devoted to discussing and voting on legislative priorities for the upcoming 2011 legislative session. Many of the Roundtable’s participating organizations were in attendance and shared their top policy ideas to address the problems of hunger, obesity, and access to nutritious food in Texas. Representatives of state agencies and elected officials were also invited to this meeting. The top policy priorities for the Roundtable will be determined by a democratic process and will be announced shortly. Our next quarterly meeting will be October 19, 2010. For more information on how you or your organization can be involved please contact Anne Olson and visit the Roundtable website.
:: Food Policy Affects All of Texas (pdf)
We value your input and suggestions.
Your comments and recommended resources are welcome in the comments box below.
Jun
16
House Committees Meet on Human Trafficking
On June 3, the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence and the House Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence (pdf) held a joint hearing to discuss their interim charge regarding human trafficking. The charge asks specifically for the committees to make recommendations on best practices in the areas of investigation, prosecution, and tracking of the victims of trafficking crimes, and study whether victims are allowed to effectively recover from their attackers in a civil cause of action.
At this hearing, legislators heard testimony regarding Texas’ response to domestic and international sex trafficking from local law enforcement officials, attorneys and child advocates from around the state. A few witnesses were also members of Attorney General Greg Abbott’s task force on human trafficking, a group assisting with recommendations for upcoming legislation, which is divided into four work groups: Law Enforcement, Training & Outreach, Victim’s Services, and Legal Review.
Witnesses asked for the committees to consider an extension on the statute of limitations for human trafficking cases, pass a statute to align Texas’ definition of “sex trafficking” with the federal definition, and help with safe harbor efforts in the future to help break the cycle of trafficking prostitution in the state. A major focus of the hearing was on domestic trafficking, or the trafficking of minors who are United States citizens and are forced into prostitution. A vast majority of these children are runaways.
Because human trafficking often climbs around large events such as the Super Bowl, a regional North Texas task force is preparing strategies to combat this type of illegal activity at the 2011 game in Arlington. Legislators and witnesses both agreed that human trafficking crimes are much harder to track and prosecute than drug crimes, though they are often connected, and they agreed that a major public awareness campaign is key to ending human trafficking. Texas law enforcement is, however, making progress. One witness gave an astounding statistic: the state of Florida and the city of Houston, Texas, prosecute the most human trafficking cases out of any one of the 42 known regional task forces in the country.
No legislator or witness denied the enormous problem human trafficking is, however the some legislators did express concern that the issue is much more complicated than first appears. By adding more felonies to the codes on criminal justice, a heavy cost and capacity strain is put on the criminal justice system. During session, as hundreds of crime bills are filed, it will be imperative to raise awareness in the Capitol of the horror of human trafficking to ensure attackers are punished to the fullest extent.
Literacy Coalition Honors Legislators with Literacy Champion Awards
The Literacy Coalition of Texas, a group with which the Christian Life Commission is a member, and the Mayor of San Marcos, Susan Narvaiz, honored state elected officials who have played a major role in support literacy efforts in Texas. The coalition honored Senator Florence Shapiro, Representative Rob Eissler, Representative Mark Strama, Representative Scott Hochberg, and former Speaker of the House Gib Lewis for their efforts in passing ground-breaking legislation during the last session. About one in five adults in Central Texas cannot read or write well enough to fill out a job application. Yet less than one in twenty of those adults has access to a program to address their needs. With this reception and awards luncheon, the Literacy Coalition helped raise awareness of the adult education needs in the Central Texas community.
Representative Hochberg is a Literacy Champion especially as Chair of Appropriations Subcommittee on Education to advocate for funding for adult learners and job development. He also serves as Co-Chair of the House Committee on Public Education.
Representative Strama is a Literacy Champion especially in the establishment of Interagency Literacy Council. He also serves as Chair of the House Committee on Technology, Economic Development, and Workforce. His committee is currently overseeing two Interim charges which are to review ways in which communities can meet increasing demand for child-care services while preparing children to succeed in school.
Representative Eissler is a Literacy Champion especially as an advocate for adult learners and job skills programs within TEA and as a promoter of cooperation between agencies for funding, accountability and impact for programs serving adult learners. He also served as Chair of the House Committee on Public Education and sponsored multiple bills to assist with job training and education.
Senator Shapiro is a Literacy Champion especially for promoting and advancing cooperation between agencies: Texas Education Agency (TEA) & The Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) & Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) on behalf of adult learners and as an advocate for adult learners and job skills programs within TEA. She also serves as Chair of the Senate Committee on Education.
Speaker Lewis, former Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, is a Literacy Champion in his capacity as education lobbyist. He has a special interest in, and works persistently on behalf of, adult learners.
Gambling Update
With a looming state budget shortfall as high as $18 Billion by some estimates, the pressure on the 82nd Legislature to cut state services and find new sources of revenue will be immense. As expected, the various segments of the gambling industry are already out in force claiming to have just what the state needs – electronic casino style gambling. House Appropriations Chairman Rep. Jim Pitts (R-Waxahachie) recently told the press that the state should look to all potential revenue sources to help close the budget gap and specifically recommended considering casino gambling. As in the past, there are competing segments of the gambling industry all claiming to be the best option for Texas to the exclusion of others. The players include current horse tracks and license holders, Native American Tribes, poker players groups, those that favor building “destination resort casinos” and the current charitable bingo operators. It is the position of the CLC that any expansion which includes electronic, slot machine style gambling is a bad bet for the state and that the introduction of such “class III” games will have dire consequences our of the control of the state as it relates to tribal casinos.
The CLC believes that the state should certainly be looking to raise revenues, not just cut an already thin state budget. However, there are many other options for generating revenue that don’t come with such an extreme costs to individuals, families and local economies. Casino slot machine style gambling is an inefficient, unreliable and regressive form of revenue generation that preys upon the poor, relies upon addiction for profit and cannibalizes the local economy. The state of Texas has no business partnering with and profiting from a business model that plays its citizens for suckers.
In the interim, the CLC has been educating folks around the state about the negative consequences of gambling expansion. Our staff and consultants have been meeting with candidates, elected officials and their staffs, like-minded advocacy organizations, the staff of the Texas Lottery Commission, our CLC Commissioners, our Board of Consultants, and making presentations on the subject (mp4).
Watch Videos:
- Stephen Reeves and Rob Kohler – “Better than Luck–Why the Lottery and Gambling are for Losers” (mp4)
- Steven Reevs Interview (video)
- Rob Kohler Interview (video)
In the coming months we will be intensifying our efforts to educate the public. We will be producing new educational resources and making them more widely available. We encourage you to educate yourself and talk to your neighbors about this issue. The pressure on legislators will be huge and we will be up against industry funded multi-million dollar lobbyists. If we are to push back the forces that seek to prey upon our fellow citizens we will need your help.
We value your input and suggestions.
Your comments and recommended resources are welcome in the comments box below.
Apr
21
Ending Underage Drinking, Tobacco and Drug-use
This spring, the CLC has been working with one of our partner organizations, Texans Standing Tall, to educate Texans on ways to make alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs irrelevant in the lives of youth. The CLC has presented information on legislative action in the 2009 session at two regional forums in San Antonio and Austin. City and county employees, school district and university officials, drug and alcohol treatment counselors and members of non-profit organizations all participated in these forums and worked together to find local and state-level solutions to end underage usage. Among the bills the CLC has presented is keg registration, one of our key issues during the 2011 session. The next forum is on April 22 in Midland, and the last forum in the 2010 series in on May 11 in Lubbock. Please see the calendar of events for more information.
Statewide Summits on the Trafficking and Exploitation of Children
Texas Baptists is proud to have sponsored two statewide summits, in Dallas and Houston, to raise awareness on the trafficking and exploitation of children. The summits were hosted by Children at Risk, a Houston-area non-profit. Tomi Grover, Director of Community and Restorative Justice in the Advocacy/Care Center at the BGCT, spoke to a captive audience about the importance of engaging the faith community in ending childhood slavery. Sen. Leticia Van de Putte (D- San Antonio), Rep. Randy Weber (R- Pearland), and Rep. Senfronia Thompson (D- Houston), Rep. Carol Kent (D- Dallas), Rep. Rafael Anchia (D- Dallas), and Rep. Paula Pierson (D- Arlington) participated in panel discussions on the upcoming 2011 session. Other local and statewide officials including Attorney General Greg Abbott and staff from the TABC and the FBI discussed law enforcement and best practices for childhood exploitation prevention and treatment. The CLC is dedicated to working with these state officials to increase awareness on this issue during the 2011 legislative session.
Students from Baptist University of the Americas Visit Austin
The CLC Austin Office was delighted to host Patty Villarreal’s Ministry and Community class from Baptist University of the Americas last week at the Texas Capitol. The students are interested in social work and community ministries and how public policy affects the lives of those they hope to minister too. The day began with a tour of the capitol building, followed by in-depth presentations and conversations about the CLC, including what the CLC does during a legislative session, how predatory lending affects the state of Texas, and how they as college students can combat human trafficking. The students ended the day with a visit to the office of Rep. David Leibowitz (D-San Antonio) whose district includes the BUA campus. The representative’s chief-of-staff discussed the legislative process and internship options with the class. We were delighted to host the group and are happy to welcome similar groups interested in the legislative work of the CLC.
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Mar
18
Public Policy at the CLC Annual Conference
On March 22 & 23 the CLC Annual Conference will be held at Calvary Baptist Church in McAllen, TX. The theme this year is Neither Need Nor Greed: Christian Stewardship of Money and Resources. Several speakers will touch on topics relating to public policy including predatory business practices like payday lending, the lottery and gambling. Stephen Reeves of the CLC and consultant Rob Kohler will make a presentation explaining why current law and past history demonstrate that the idea of limited casino gambling expansion in Texas is flawed and would lead to uncontrolled and unregulated Native American Casinos.
Texas Food Policy Roundtable Moves Forward
The work of the Texas Food Policy Roundtable (TFPR) is well underway. There is a strong commitment to end hunger in Texas, and participation in the TFPR is proof that Texans are ready to fight the hunger epidemic on a statewide policy level. The CLC has taken a leadership role in coordinating communication to members of the roundtable, and at the end of February, the first TFPR newsletter was sent to over one hundred recipients. The TFPR’s website, http://txfoodpolicy.org, is also now up and running.
The Texas Food Policy Roundtable is committed to creating a legislative agenda for the 2011 Texas Legislative Session, focusing primarily on four issue areas.
These areas are:
- SNAP. Formerly referred to as “food stamps,” SNAP food benefits are designed to help Texans in poverty to buy food and other resources for good health. Right now, Texas enrollment rates are extremely low as compared to the number of those eligible. The state has recently begun concentrated efforts to relieve a backlog of applications in the eligibility process. Since SNAP funds are entirely federal, it is the job of the state to make sure those resources reach those in need.
- Obesity. There is a direct relationship between hunger and obesity. A recent New York Times article quotes an expert saying that obesity and hunger often the “flip sides to the same malnutrition coin.” Often, when people are hungry but cannot afford healthy food, they buy what they can afford—processed, high-calorie meals that will keep them full. If hunger is going to end in Texas, the obesity issue must be addressed.
- Summer Food Programs. Summer Food Programs in Texas offer children at least one meal per day during the months they are not in school. This program has a lot of room for growth, and this summer the goal is to drastically increase the amount of food sites in Texas. Churches are getting involved with this initiative, feeding children and keeping them active during the summer months.
- Nutrition and Sustainability. Through it all, in order to end hunger in Texas, every Texan must have access to nutritious meals, with the ultimate goal of increased sustainability. The Texas Food Policy Roundtable will focus on helping to meet that goal.
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Texas Food Policy Roundtable, or if you are simply curious to know more about hunger in Texas, please e-mail txfoodpolicy@gmail.com to subscribe to our monthly newsletter.
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Your comments and recommended resources are welcome in the comments box below.
Feb
17
Food Policy Roundtable
On January 20, the CLC, along with members of a small steering committee, convened the first ever meeting of the Texas Food Policy Roundtable. This new coalition is one way the CLC is committed to fighting hunger in Texas and support the goal of the Texas Hunger Initiative of ending hunger in Texas by 2015. To reach this lofty, but obtainable goal, work must be done not only on the local level through THI’s Food Planning Associations, but also on a statewide level by looking at how good public policy can help make Texas food secure.
The meeting was a success with over forty individuals representing diverse organizations, many of whom had not previously met, in attendance. The group heard a recap of workshops conducted at the Hunger Summit, heard from expert advocates about the recent history of food and hunger policy in Texas, and learned current ways they can advocate for hungry citizens on the state and federal level. In the coming months the roundtable work toward crafting policy priorities that support advocacy efforts in four categories: children’s summer feeding programs, nutrition and obesity, local and sustainable food and SNAP (food stamp) enrolment and eligibility.
The CLC will coordinate communication to and among roundtable members and in the coming weeks will be launching an email newsletter and website dedicated to hunger policy.
Hispanic Education Leadership Day
On Tuesday, February 2, 2010, the Christian Life Commission was happy to host members of the Hispanic Education Initiative Council, officers from Convención, members of the education committee of Convención, Texas Baptists Associate Executive Director, Steve Vernon, members of Texas Baptist Men and WMU leadership, as well as members of the BGCT Executive Board, for a day of advocacy and learning about education issues in Texas. The event was held at the state Capitol and included a time for participants to meet with their state legislators’ office about relevant interim charges.
The day’s speakers included Jan Lindsey from the Texas Education Agency, who spoke on dropout prevention in the state, and Sylvia Acevedo, renowned public speaker and founder of La Feria para Aprender (a bilingual parent outreach fair held in various cities across the state), who discussed Texas demographics both present and future and what it means for education and the workforce in Texas. Bill Pounds from the educational software group AZTEC gave a demonstration of the company’s workforce training software program, and Luis Figueroa, an attorney with the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), spoke about the DREAM Act, the Census and federal and state immigration issue. Lester Meriwether, president of Literacy Connexus, gave a presentation on the Literacy Texas coalition as well. In small groups, participants discussed what they had learned from the day and how they can implement that knowledge into their church lives and communities. Thank you to the participants; it was indeed a blessed day!
Public Policy at the CLC Annual Conference
On March 22 & 23 the CLC Annual Conference will be held at Calvary Baptist Church in McAllen, TX. The theme this year is Neither Need Nor Greed: Christian Stewardship of Money and Resources. Several speakers will touch on topics relating to public policy including predatory business practices like payday lending, the lottery and gambling. Stephen Reeves of the CLC and consultant Rob Kohler will make a presentation explaining why current law and past history demonstrate that the idea of limited casino gambling expansion in Texas is flawed and would lead to uncontrolled and unregulated Native American Casinos.
We value your input and suggestions.
Your comments and recommended resources are welcome in the comments box below.
Jan
18
Capital Punishment
In 2003, after two years of study, the Christian Life Commission released a report called Christians and Capital Punishment (pdf) (view summary pdf) that called for a moratorium on the death penalty in Texas. Since that time the CLC has advocated for many policies related to capital punishment including the addition of the life without parole sentencing option and the creation of an innocence commission to study what went wrong in the cases where individuals have been exonerated. In December, the Texas Campaign to Abolish the Death Penalty released its annual report of developments (pdf) related to the death penalty in Texas. Among the findings, the report shows that there were just eight new individuals sentenced to death in 2009, the lowest since the court reinstated the death penalty in 1976 and down from a high of 48 in 1999. The report shows that once again Texas accounted for half of all executions nationwide. Since 1982 this state has executed a total of 447 people and 11 Texans have been exonerated from death row. There are currently 322 men and 10 women on death row in Texas. The Reverend Carroll Pickett, who served as chaplain for death row for nearly 16 years and witnessed 95 executions, was at the press conference releasing the report. Rev. Pickett was the subject of the award winning 2008 documentary “At the Death House Door”. Anyone interested in this issue, whether for against capital punishment, should find a copy of this film.
View Christians and Capital Punishment (pdf)
View Summary of Christians and Capital Punishment (pdf)
View Death Penalty Developments in 2009 (pdf)
Payday Loans
The number of payday loans in Texas has exploded. However, many Texans don’t know what payday loans are let alone why they can be a problem for some people. Payday loans are small dollar loans with enormously high service fees that offer instant cash with no credit checking.
The following scenario is an example of how typical payday loans operate and how they can lead to trouble. Let’s say that a single mother has a car in need of repair. The bill is $300, but she only has $150 until her next pay check and she has no credit card or her credit card is maxed out. She writes a check to a payday lender for $361.07 ($300 principle loan, plus $1.07 interest, and a $60.00 service fee). The payday lender promises to hold the check for 2-3 weeks until she gets paid again. The mother now has two options. The next payday, she will either pay off her $361.07 debt in cash or she will allow the payday lender to cash the check. She cannot pay it off in installments; she must pay it in full. If she doesn’t have $361.07 in two weeks, the check will bounce incurring penalty fees from both the bank and the lender. To avoid the penalties, she rolls over the original loan and pays an additional $60.00 loan fee. If the loan was paid off after the second pay period, a $300 loan would generate $121.07 in profit.
Payday lenders mostly serve families with moderate- and low- incomes. In a recent survey, the majority of payday borrowers earn an income of $30,000 or less. One in ten payday borrowers use them monthly. 58% of people who use a payday loan roll over the loan at least once, while one in four payday borrowers roll them over multiple times. Most payday loans are used for recurring expenses of basic needs like rent, utilities, and food. Payday loans generate profit by creating a cycle of debt.
Attempts have been made in Texas to more tightly regulate payday lenders. The Texas Finance Code sets restrictions on fees and payment periods. Yet, many lenders operate as Consumer Service Organizations in an effort to avoid regulation. CSOs register with the Secretary of State but are not regulated by or required to obtain a license from the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner. This business model sidesteps many state regulations on the books.
The Christian Life Commission views predatory lending in the same category as predatory gambling. Both prey on vulnerable populations for profit. The CLC will be researching legislation that may better regulate payday loans in order to decrease predatory lending in Texas. In addition, the CLC is working with coalition partners to promote alternative small dollar loan products – products that help families get out of debt rather than perpetuate a cycle of debt. Payday loans and other predatory practices will be discussed at the CLC Annual Conference, March 22-23. The conference will focus on ways to establish a healthy life of thrift in relation to the call of Christian stewardship.
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