LAS VEGAS, Aug. 17, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, LULAC hosted a town hall with local experts to discuss how the budgets proposed by the Obama Administration and the House of Representatives would impact the Latino community. Among those who attended were Bob Coffin, Las Vegas City Councilman; and representatives from the Offices of U.S. Senator Harry Reid and Congresswoman Shelley Berkley; and Luis Valera, Vice President on Diversity Initiatives and Government Relations for the University of Las Vegas. Among those who attended, Congresswoman Shelley Berkley; Bob Coffin, Las Vegas City Councilman; and representatives from the Office of U.S. Senator Harry Reid; and Luis Valera, Vice President on Diversity Initiatives and Government Relations for the University of Las Vegas. The town hall took place at the Mirage Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada and was attended by elected officials and local residents. For those interested in watching the discussion on line, please go to http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/24774876.
The discussion centered on the House approved 2013 budget and the impact of its draconian cuts to programs like Medicaid, Social Security, education and housing. Specifically, the House budget includes a 36 billion dollar cut to SNAP; a 300 million dollar decrease in funds for building new community health care facilities; and a 1.1 billion dollar cut to the Department of Education, which would eliminate both the Race to the Top and School Investment Grants. Other programs, like the Home Affordable Mortgage Program would be completely eliminated.
"A 36 billion dollar cut would have detrimental effects on American families' access to quality and affordable foods," said LULAC National President Margaret Moran. "Further, community health centers are the lifeline for many Latinos in need of access to quality and affordable health care; and cuts to the Department of Education would have a detrimental impact on our families' ability to obtain a high quality education for their children. Not only are these cuts harmful to our whole community, but they also would ultimately halt our economic recovery."
The meeting also included comments from experts on strategies for rebuilding the middle class and included recommendations for strengthening the economy through job creation, as well as, developing high quality health and education systems.
"The Latino community runs a higher risk of being scammed by fee-for-service companies as they search for help in saving their homes. It is imperative that community leaders continue informing our homeowners of the comprehensive services available, at no cost, by Financial Guidance Center and other HUD approved nonprofit agencies. Nevadans expect and deserve professional, quality service," stated Nelson Araujo, Director of Community Development with Financial Guidance Center.
"We are a community of leaders and that's why we are here today. A majority of the people that are the most impacted by budget cuts to these programs, however, are the ones that are not here today," stated Senator Kihuen. "As community leaders we need to make bigger strides in closing the information gap and work hand in hand with all segments of our community to ensure that all Latinos are an inherent part of this conversation."
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation's largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 900 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC's programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit www.lulac.org.
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=12386