NHCSL was recently awarded a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to implement a national educational initiative called ENLACE (Engaging Latino Communities for Education). The session focused on the successes of the New Mexico ENLACE program and how such efforts can be replicated throughout the country.

The session’s participants included: Karen Sanchez-Griego, ENLACE Statewide Director, New Mexico State Senator Bernadette Sanchez, Judy Reed, ENLACE Coordinator at the Family Center, Melissa Romero, Undergraduate Mentor for ENLACE and a student at the University of New Mexico. Indiana Representative John Aguilera moderated the session. Through NHCSL legislators will participate in a series of ENLACE activities.

At the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL) Third National Summit held last month, November 10-13 in Tampa, Florida, President Assemblyman Felix Ortiz (NY) announced the new officers of the NHCSL Executive Committee for 2006, which include:

NHCSL President-Elect:
Representative Joe Miro (DE)

NHCSL Vice President for Public Policy: Senator Bernadette Sanchez (NM)

NHCSL Vice President for Membership: Representative John Aguilera (IN)

NHCSL Treasurer:
Representative Minnie Gonzalez (CT)

NHCSL Secretary:
Representative Mario Goico (KS)

NHCSL recently welcomed several national corporations to its Business Board of Advisors, which include: AARP, Cendant, Comcast, First American Title Insurance Company, Foxwoods Resort Casino, Heineken USA, Hispanic Information & Television Network (HITN), MBNA, Motion Picture Association of America, National Cable & Telecommunications Association, New Century Mortgage Corporation, and
Novartis Pharmaceuticals. The NHCSL BBA provides NHCSL with support and guidance on various public policy issues and in 2006 will be led by:

Chairman
Jose Nine, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs
MBNA

Vice Chairman
Armando Mejía Gallardo, District Director
Altria Group, Inc.

Vice President for Corporate Policy
Bert Gomez, Director, Federal Government Affairs
R. J. Reynolds

Secretary
Emilio González, Director, Public Policy & Strategic Alliances
Verizon Communications

Topic: Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage: Enrollment Information for State Policymakers
2:30-3:30 pm (EST)

Enrollment in the new 2006 Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit began on November 15. The prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage Plans have been released, and soon Medicare recipients will have to choose a plan in which to enroll. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has created a number of tools to assist enrollees in choosing a prescription drug plan. In this hour-long Web conference, Leslie Norwalk, deputy administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, will discuss the enrollment tools available and point legislators and other policymakers to resources for constituents who need assistance in signing up for the new benefit. Registration is free, but space is limited. Please click here to register.
 

Legislators from across the country gathered at the NHCSL’s Third National Summit last month in Tampa, Florida. Legislators led various policy sessions and discussions on education, immigration and healthcare issues. Questions from the audience were plenty and additional information and follow up was requested. The participation of the legislators, public policy experts, local government officials and corporate representatives contributed to the success of the Summit. Marco Rubio, Speaker-Designee of the Florida House of Legislatures, was the keynote speaker at the closing dinner, where he delivered a spirited speech about the importance state legislators play in creating policy that sets the tone for a national agenda.

US Treasurer Anna Escobedo Cabral also participated as the keynote luncheon speaker.

Throughout the Summit, state legislators brought to the forefront some of the most prevalent issues that impact our Hispanic communities. In addition, proactive policy making efforts were presented before a national audience from the public and private industry.

Other national participants included Congressman Jim Davis (FL), Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio, NHCSL Past-President and Former Kansas Senator Paul Feleciano, Commissioner of the Kansas Parole Board, and Florida Representative Juan Zapata. A Special Award of Recognition was given to Former New Mexico State Senator Manny Aragon, President of Highlands New Mexico University, and the NHCSL President’s Award was given to New York State Senator Efrain Gonzalez. In addition, Texas State Senator Gonzalo Barrientos received the first John S. Martinez Excellence in Leadership Award. Prior to accepting his award, Barrientos said, “It humbles me to be awarded this honor, and I thank NHCSL for it. Public service is a high calling and I am profoundly thankful for the people in my district for believing in me.”

NHCSL President Felix Ortiz commented that the Summit remains the capstone for NHCSL and provides the forum for state legislators to “continue meaningful discussions with each other as we create and implement policies and procedures that will improve the quality of life for all throughout the country.”

 

The Message Memo will be a valuable tool for policy makers and staff needing research-based messaging for use during the 2006 state legislative sessions, for developing testimony or policy positions and for discussions with the media. Jan Richter, Advocacy Director for Connect for Kids will moderate the call and offer insight into the development of the Message Memo. Presenters will not only cover the ethnic/racial composition of the dropout population and promising programs/activities for addressing the crisis in the states, an update on the Governors’ Compact on State High School Graduation Data will also be provided. Delegate Ana Sol Gutierrez (MD) will also be a presenter on the audio conference.

TO REGISTER FOR THIS FREE CALL, send complete contact information (name, address, city, state, phone, fax, and e-mail) to Margaret Anderson at maanderson@nea.org or by FAX (202-822-7117) by close of business on December 9. No telephone registrations can be accepted. One day prior to the call, each registrant will receive an email or fax providing a toll-free, dial-in number, passcode, and the Message Memo for your review.

Delaware State Representative Joe Miro sponsored legislation for a Low Income Housing Energy Assistance Program and Weatherization Program to help Delaware residents with the high cost of heating bills expected this winter. The legislation passed in the Delaware House of Representatives on November 3.

“This is an important bill that responds to help renters and homeowners with the high heating bills to come and can serve as model legislation that should be replicated the across the country,” said Miro. Delaware House Bills 321, 322 and 323 will provide for supplemental funding for the Low Income Housing Energy Assistance Program and Weatherization Program

Energy experts have recently reported that rising energy costs are anticipated throughout the country. And, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), heating bills are expected to jump this winter by nearly 50 percent for most Americans.

 

The National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL) is the preeminent organization representing the interests of 300 Hispanic state legislators from all states, commonwealths, and territories of the United States. Founded in 1989 as a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c) (3), NHCSL is a catalyst for joint action on issues of common concern, such as health, education, immigration, homeownership and economic development to all segments of the Hispanic community. NHCSL also works to design and implement policies and procedures that will impact the quality of life for Hispanic communities; serves as a forum for information exchange and member networking; an institute for leadership training; a liaison with sister U.S. Hispanic organizations; a promoter of public/private partnerships with business and labor; and a partner with Hispanic state and provincial legislators and their associations representing Central and South America.