January 2006
Private Sector Effort To Assist
Patients With Prescription Medicines
As a part of its effort to assist constituents
who cannot afford prescription medicine, the
Mexican American Legislative Caucus – Texas
House of Representatives (MALC) in conjunction
with the Partnership for Prescription Assistance
(PPA) announces the arrival of the “Help
is Here Express.”
The “Help is Here Express” is a
bus tour that is traveling across the country
to boost enrollment in programs which may be
able to help them pay for prescription medication.
The bus is equipped with computer terminals and
mobile phones so constituents can find out if
they are eligible for the more than 475 programs
that offer free or nearly free prescription drugs.
There will also be trained support available
to make sure that the application process is
quick and easy.
The bus will make appearances at the following
locations and dates.
- February 1st – El Paso at Centro de
Salud Familiar La Fe, Inc.
- February 6th – Dallas/Fort Worth
- February 7th – Houston at Texas
Southern University
- February 8th – San Antonio at the University
of Texas Health Science Center
- February 9th – Corpus Christi
For more information, please contact the MALC
office at (512) 236-8410.
Briefs Say Old Census Data Used for
Redistricting; Diluted Minority Votes
Briefs filed with United States Supreme Court
this month claim partisan state legislators used
obsolete Census data to establish districts which
ultimately diminished minority voting strength.
Plaintiffs, including the G.I. Forum of Texas
(represented by The Mexican American Legal Defense
Fund), The League of United Latin American Citizens
(LULAC), and Eddie Jackson say Hispanic and African-American
voting strength was diluted when Texas’ congressional
districts were redrawn.
The state of Texas has until February 1st to
respond to briefs. Oral arguments before
the U.S Supreme Court are scheduled for March
1, 2006.
To view the questions presented to the U.S.
Supreme Court by LULAC, et al, go to: http://www.supremecourtus.gov/qp/05-00204qp.pdf.
To view the questions presented to the U.S.
Supreme Court by Eddie Jackson, et al,
go to: http://www.supremecourtus.gov/qp/05-00276qp.pdf.
To view the questions presented to the U.S.
Supreme Court by the G.I. Forum of Texas, et
al, go to: http://www.supremecourtus.gov/qp/05-00439qp.pdf.
High School Academic Majors Aim To
Improve Academic Success in Hispanic Communities
A new pilot program at six high schools in
the Rio Grande Valley allows students to select
a major to focus on during their four years of
high school. Developed by the Institute for Research
and Reform in Education, the program is part
of a campaign to improve graduation rates along
the border where there is a large percentage
of students who are migrant workers and/or struggle
with English.
Officials say that the benefits of the program
include personalized education and an increased
motivation for students to learn. Once
enrolled, students declare a major such as business
or liberal arts, but also have the ability to
change their minds.
The program is made possible by a $671,000 donation
by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Budget Axe on Student Aid Hurts Low-Income
Families
Congress recently voted to cut federal spending
that supports college loans. Under congressional
budget cuts, support is scheduled to drop $12.7
billion over the next five years starting July
1st.
College students will be faced with changes
such as: higher interest rates, new restrictions
and lending caps. In addition, students
will be barred from consolidating student loans
to obtain lower interest rates.
The planned cuts mean that the interest rates
on federally backed Stafford Loans will jump
from variable rates as low as 4.7 percent to
a 6.8 percent fixed rate in July. Rates for federally
backed parent loans to parents will also rise
from 6.1 percent to 8.5 percent.
Student loan experts say these cuts will significantly
affect the ease by which low-income families
are able to borrow and pay back lenders.
Meanwhile, Pell grants, normally earmarked for
low income students, are still capped at $4,050
for a fourth consecutive year. Furthermore,
Pell grants only cover half or less of the total
cost of a public university.
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