County Commissioners Vote to Help Libraries; Other Services Still Face Impending Cuts

By: James Gordon

Miami-Dade County commissioners voted Tuesday to raise property tax-rates in order to avoid impending library layoffs. The commissioner’s 8-5 vote to increase the library tax rate for the next fiscal year opposes Mayor Carlos Gimenez’s original recommendation, which called for no tax increases. Gimenez now has 10 days to veto the commissioners’ vote.

The commissioners’ decision to increase library funding follows notable public outcry against potential library layoffs. As reported by the Miami Herald, over 100 library supporters filled the County Hall on Tuesday in order to show their support for increased library funding. In agreement with library supporters, the county commissioners ultimately voted to raise the library tax-rate ceiling in order to bring the library budget to $52 million—$8 million more than Mayor Gimenez’s originally proposed budget of $44 million, according to the Herald.

Though initially appearing as a victory, the commissioner’s vote was met with mixed feelings. Though the increased funding successfully prevents the highly opposed library staff layoffs, it does nothing to improve current library services, which were strongly advocated for by the attendees of Tuesday’s County Hall meeting. Furthermore, despite their decision in regards to the libraries, commissioners ultimately voted to adopt all of Mayor Gimenez’s other proposed tax rates. Gimenez’s proposal firmly opposes tax hikes and instead calls for concessions from the county’s unions in order to avoid service cuts and layoffs. Without these concessions, the Mayor’s proposed budget could eliminate almost 600 county jobs, according to the Miami Herald. A significant portion of these layoffs would come from the ranks of our police officers.

Also affected by Gimenez’s proposed budget are Miami’s many Community Based Organizations (CBOs), many of which face funding cuts of up to 10%. A chart from the Miami Herald breaks down the proposed funding for all 374 of Miami’s CBOs. Thus, the decisions made by the county commission on Tuesday were largely met with a degree of dissatisfaction, with many calling for the commissioners to budget the limited funds without making cuts to the many essential services that benefit our Miami communities. With the final vote on the budget not scheduled until September, there is still time to take action. It is essential that the time remaining be used to contact our commissioners and express the need for a budget that meets the needs of our community without making serious cuts to so many essential services. And with almost a week left to make his decision, we must assure that Mayor Gimenez does not veto the commission’s decision to increase the library tax rate. With the final budget decisions fast approaching, now is the time to pick up the phones and make our voices heard.

Walmart Workers Take Action

By: James Gordon

On June 4, workers, union organizers and community members came together outside a local Miami Walmart to protest low wages and unfair working conditions. The one-day strike was part of a greater national movement targeting Walmart’s notorious mistreatment of its employees. The one-day strike earlier this month was embraced by many major cities across the U.S., including Tampa, Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Los Angeles and San Francisco according to CNN Money’s Patrick Sheridan. The demands of low-wage earning Walmart employees first captured national attention during the Black Friday strike in November of 2013. Their actions echo a growing national movement to raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10 per hour as proposed by a bill backed by Obama. Walmart employees stand in solidarity with low-wage earning workers around the country, including workers in the fast food industry who have been very active in the fight to raise the federal minimum wage.

In this day and age of mass marketing, most consumers are more than familiar with Walmart’s signature slogan: “Save Money. Live Better.” However, if the recent protests are any indication, Walmart’s optimistic ideology does not seem to apply to its lower-level workers. With unfairly low wages, poor working conditions and rampant wage theft, Walmart promotes a general lack of respect for its lower-level workers. The small but passionate crowd of protestors gathered at the Miami protest earlier this month endured the rainy weather to voice their uncompromising demands for respect from the company they loyally serve. According to a report by CNN Money, a spokesperson for Walmart recently attributed the low worker turnout at many of these protests to the notion that the majority of Walmart workers are happy and content with current working conditions. The resonating counterargument at the Miami protest, however, was that many workers failed to support the protests out of fear of retaliation. A few of the Walmart employees present even claimed to have been fired or punished in the past as a result of participating in previous protests. With unfavorable working conditions and wages as low as their prices, Walmart is certainly not helping its employees to “live better.”

COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS FACE IMPENDING FUNDING CUTS

By: James Gordon

 On Wednesday morning, representatives from various Community Based Organizations (CBOs) from all over Miami gathered before the Miami-Dade County Finance Committee to make a case against impending funding cuts. In accordance with Florida law, each representative was given a total of one minute to defend the value of their respective organizations and make a plea for continued funding. Though the many CBOs present were varied in their causes and missions, they were united in their message; the work that CBOs do is vital to creating a more equitable and thriving community and continued funding is essential to making their missions possible.

The various CBOs in attendance made their statements in response to a letter sent out on June 20th by Commissioner Dennis Moss in which he warned of coming budget cuts. In his letter, Moss suggests that the prevailing attitude towards CBOs is generally negative.  He goes on to suggest that the supposed poor performance of some organizations “leaves the impression that the county is wasting money funding [these] groups,” thus making them more vulnerable to budget cuts. He concludes his letter by urging CBOs to attend Wednesday’s meeting in order to advocate for themselves and shift the tone of the conversation in their favor.

So now, in addition to the transformative and meaningful work that they do despite scarce funding and limited resources, these groups must come before a committee to defend the value of their work and essentially beg for continued funding. The many CBOs present at Wednesday’s meeting represented a large range of important and pressing causes, including poverty, accessible healthcare, education and elder care. One by one, the CBO representatives stood before Chairman Esteban Bovo, each making a rushed argument against the proposed budget cuts. The overarching message was clear: the committee should be very careful not to undervalue the work that these CBOs do. Though budget cuts may prove an unfortunate reality in this time of limited funding, our commissioners must make their difficult decisions with respect for the incredible work being done to better our community and an awareness of the impact that their actions will have on the citizens they were elected to represent. As one CBO representative notably pleaded, the committee must make these cuts with a scalpel, not a butcher knife.

Fast Food Workers Rise

By: James Gordon

On May 15, protestors in Miami gathered around a local McDonald’s and Wendy’s to partake in a nationwide strike in support of higher pay and fairer working conditions for fast food workers. The one-day strike was part of a rapidly growing campaign that is gaining both national and international traction, with 150 U.S. cities and 30 countries having partaken in walkout according to Salon’s Josh Eidelson.  Since the fast food industry saw its first significant worker strike in New York City in November of 2012, the demands of the campaign have been consistent and uncompromising, calling for an increase in the minimum pay to $15 per hour and the right to unionize without retaliation.

With a struggling economy and a highly competitive job market, more and more workers are turning towards the fast food industry for employment in order to support themselves and their families. As the demographic amongst fast food workers shifts, the industry must be able to accommodate and meet the changing needs of its workers. A report by the Center for Economic and Policy Research reveals that that the majority of fast food workers are in fact 25 years or older—not teenaged high school students as common misperception might hold.  Furthermore, of the percentage of non-teenaged workers, about 85 percent of them hold at least a high school degree. The pay range for the large majority of these workers falls between the federal minimum wage of $7.15 per hour and $10.10 per hour. For a fast food worker working full-time, the lower end of this pay range puts them just above the poverty line of $11,670 as determined by the Office of the Assistant for Planning and Evaluation. However, one must keep in mind that this guideline is the standard for single person households while more than a third of workers over the age of 20 are raising at least one child. If the minimum pay increases to $15 per hour, a full-time employee would make about $30,000 per year. There is a great disparity between the current average wage being earned, the wage workers are advocating for, and the wage they should be earning—$22 an hour— had the minimum wage adjusted to meet inflation. This discrepancy underscores just how necessary a minimum wage increase is, and how it is still far from where it should be for it to fully meet the financial realities of today’s workers.

To the satisfaction of many supporters of raising the minimum wage, McDonald’s CEO Don Thompson appears to have heard his workers’ call for change. According to a report by the Chicago Tribune, Thompson recently announced during a talk at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management last month that he would support a bill backed by President Obama that would raise the federal minimum wage to $10.10. This bold and promising statement by Thompson marks a huge victory for fast food workers, signifying that their voices are being heard. Though $10.10 is not quite the $15 being demanded by our fast food workers, it is certainly a step in the right direction towards promoting economic equality and financial sustainability for our workers.

NCRC documentary "Fleeced: Speaking Out Against Senior Financial Fraud" receives a regional Emmy award

Catalyst Miami would like to congratulate our partner, National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC), and everyone involved in producing the award-winning documentary Fleeced: Speaking Out Against Senior Financial Fraud. Special recognition goes to Kim Jacobs, the multi Emmy award winning producer of Fleeced, and Clayton Taylor, Executive Producer of WFYI Productions.

Fleeced received a regional Emmy award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Science of the  Lower Great Lakes Regional Chapter last Saturday, June 7th.  Fleeced was  awarded the Emmy in the category Public/Current/ and Community Affairs, and beat out six other finalists.  The link for the announcement is http:///www.nataslgl.org/index.php. The Fleeced distribution policy and process will be released shortly.  

Fleeced: Speaking Out Against Senior Financial Abuse reveals what can happen to older adults when they are targeted for scams and abusive financial products. This documentary collaboration from the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) and WFYI Public Media, funded with generous support from the Atlantic Philanthropies, presents real stories about the financial abuse of older adults. The film also reveals how they are fighting back, and becoming powerful advocates for themselves and others to help change the current landscape of economic security for older Americans.

Presented by:

    

NVPUSA Healthcare - Help Undocumented Children Today

NVPUSA Healthcare
 

Help Undocumented Children Today, Make $4400.00 -$7400 per month!!!!

NVPUSA Healthcare is hiring for the immediate temporary placement of a 30-day contract to work in Baltimore Maryland: Call: 866-305-7365 and leave a message.

· NVPUSA needs your help assisting undocumented children who have been placed in FEMA Federal Holding Facilities.

· If you are hired, you will immediately relocate to Baltimore between June 10th - 16th.

· Room and Board will be provided during this period of time.

· Transportation cost (by plane) will be provided.

Positions Available:

Counselors: Clinicians to conduct mental health assessments for all children in care as well as provide ongoing individual and group counseling, screening for human trafficking concerns, and crisis intervention. Bachelor's degree in psychology, sociology, or other relevant behavioral science.

Location: In an emergency center

· Pay Rate: $20.00hr - $30.00hr ($5500 – $7400 for one month of work)

· This is a 1099 contracted position

· Location: In an emergency center, clinicians work from 8:00am-8:00pm

· Spanish language proficiency

Case Managers: Coordinate case management and family reunification services for children.  Bachelor's degree in psychology, sociology, or other relevant behavioral science.

· Pay Rate: $20.00hr - $30.00hr  ($5500 – $7400 for one month of work)

· This is a 1099 contracted position

· Location: In an emergency center, clinicians work from 8:00am-8:00pm

· Spanish language proficiency

Educators:  Provide educational instruction to children using provided curriculum and worksheets. Assist children with language acquisition, basic math and reading skills, and art projects. Maintain educational files for children. Education Instructors working during the day time and provide six hours of education each day, five days a week. 

· Pay Rate: $25.00hr - $30.00hr ($4400.00 for one month of work

· This is a 1099 contracted position

· Location:  In an emergency center, classes are part of the daily structure of the facility and subject to change on a daily basis. 

· Classes are between 9:00am and 4:00pm Monday - Friday.  Education Instructors may require planning and follow-up time as needed.

- Spanish language proficiency

Groups Release Information to Help Immigrant Students Take Advantage of New College Tuition Law

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 10, 2014

Contact:

Apreill Hartsfield, Southern Poverty Law Center, (334) 782-6624;apreill.hartsfield@splcenter.org

Natalia Jaramillo, Florida Immigrant Coalition, (786) 317-3524;Natalia@floridaimmigrant.org

Groups Release Information to Help Immigrant Students

Take Advantage of New College Tuition Law

                                                                                              

MIAMI – The Southern Poverty Law Center and the Florida Immigrant Coalition released information today that will help immigrant students take full advantage of a new state law that makes them eligible for in-state college tuition rates even if they were brought to the United States without papers.

Earlier this week, Gov. Rick Scott signed H.B. 851 into law, making the dream of a college education closer to reality for these rising entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders. Students who believe they may benefit from the law are urged to find more information about the requirements by visiting the websites of the Southern Poverty Law Center’s (SPLC) or the Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC).

“Rather than punish them for something beyond their control, Florida has chosen to help these students become integrated members of our communities and better contribute to our state’s thriving economy,” said Manoj Govindaiah, an SPLC staff attorney. “We want to be sure these students have the tools they need to take full advantage of the law’s benefits.”

The information includes guidance about how and when the law applies, along with answers to other frequently asked questions.

“Expanding access to college is a win-win for Florida’s families and our economy. Young people can now, not only dream about what they can become, but actually have a chance at achieving it. After spending years fighting anti-immigrant bills, we welcome this change. It is good to see leadership recognize the value of our current and potential contributions as immigrants in Florida” said Maria Rodriguez, of Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC).

The SPLC has long championed the rights of immigrant students across the Deep South by challenging policies that needlessly punish them for being brought to the United States as children.

In Florida, an SPLC lawsuit blocked a policy that forced the children of undocumented immigrants to pay out-of-state tuition rates even when they were U.S. citizens born and raised in the state. A federal judge found in 2012 that the policy violated the U.S. Constitution, clearing the way for these students to attend college at affordable rates. H.B. 851 further expands meaningful access to Florida’s colleges and universities to immigrant students, allowing them to reach their full potential, and allowing Florida to benefit from these students’ ingenuity and creativity. The SPLC also helped students in other states and blocked policies targeting children of undocumented immigrants in Alabama and South Carolina.

The Florida Immigrant Coalition has been instrumental in investing and emboldening young immigrants known as Dreamers. FLIC began its fight for tuition equity over a decade ago.  As recently as 2011, FLIC successfully pushed back against anti-immigrant legislation.  After supporting the implementation of the bill to insure its full utilization, the organization will set its sights on ensuring that all Floridians have equal access to driver’s licenses, regardless of status.

The groups plan to reach out to students across the state who may be eligible for in-state tuition rates. A copy of the materials can be viewed at http://sp.lc/1hBu1SE. 

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We moved! Please note the new address below.

Francesca Menes | Policy and Advocacy Coordinator | Coordinator, Florida Wage Theft Task Force

Florida Immigrant Coalition, Inc. (FLIC) 

2800 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 800, Miami, FL 33137

Mobile: 786.340.1646 | Office: 305.571.7254 | Fax: 305.571.7254 | francesca@floridaimmigrant.org

For the Fair Treatment of Everyone | www.floridaimmigrant.org | http://flimmigrant.wordpress.com/