November 2004

In This Issue:

2005 MALC/NALEO Texas Issues Conference

Sales Tax Deductibility 101

November Elections Bring Five Future MALC Members

Moreno/Rangel Legislative Leadership Program Finalists

Member Spotlight

Member Birthdays

2005 MALC/NALEO Texas Issues Conference

Preparations for the 2005 MALC/NALEO Texas Issues Conference are well underway. Scheduled for January 28-29, 2005, the conference invitation list includes every Latino elected official in Texas. Festivities begin on the evening of January 28 with a reception at the Stephen F. Austin Hotel.

Breakout sessions will commence on the morning of January 29, 2005. Policy topics to be covered include Type II Diabetes & Obesity; The Health and Human Services Commission: Understanding Access to Social Services; Medical Malpractice & Tort Reform: Balancing Responsibility; College Prep: Competitiveness as a Function of Preparedness; Latino Voting Trends: Motivating the Electorate; Juvenile Alternative Programs: Developing Better Alternatives; Community Wealth: Building Wealth & Becoming Financially Literate; Contractors & State Infrastructure Development: Building Tomorrow's Texas Today; From Crime Scene to Courtroom: The Role of DNC; and Texas Public School Finance

Keynote speaker at the conference luncheon will be Dr. Steve Murdock, Texas State Demographer.

"A conference of this magnitude will bring Hispanic issues to the forefront during the legislative session and in the State of Texas," said Representative Aaron Pena. "We look forward to this opportunity to share ideas and promote Latino interests."

Sales Tax Deductibility 101

Last month Congress passed House Resolution 4520, which included a provision that restores the ability to deduct sales tax from federal income taxes. Some taxpayers will now have the option to deduct sales taxes paid during the year from their federal income tax returns.

Taxpayers must itemize deductions or take a standard deduction in order to qualify for the sales tax deduction. Only citizens accruing more than $9700 in mortgage interest, property taxes or other deductible expenses are able to take advantage of this provision.

The legislation is in effect for the 2004 and 2005 tax years. In other words, the law is applicable for returns due on April 15, 2005 and April 15, 2006. The legislation gives taxpayers two options when deducting sales tax; they may either itemize sales tax and add the sales tax paid on a new car or boat, or take a standard sales tax deduction from an IRS table and add the sales tax paid on a new car or boat. "While Latinos are not going to widely benefit from this legislation due to the fact that only a small, wealthy percentage of the Texas population itemizes their tax returns, " said Representative Mike Villarreal, "we thought it necessary to get the word out so people can start saving sales receipts in case they qualify."

November Elections Bring Five Future MALC Members

This month's elections brought five future MALC members: Representative-elect Rafael Anchia, Representative-elect Veronica Gonzales, Representative-elect Abel Herrero, Representative-elect Armando Martinez and Representative-elect Yvonne Gonzalez Toureilles.

"It is imperative that Latinos have a strong voice in the Texas House of Representatives," said Representative-elect Anchia. "MALC is an excellent way of ensuring that Latino interests in Texas are protected."

Each brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Texas House of Representatives. We look forward to working with each of them.

As a side note, Representative-elect Yvonne Gonzalez Toureilles' election has now been challenged by her opponent, who is asking the Texas House of Representatives to set aside the results of the election. Despite winning by 854 votes, Representative-elect Gonzalez Toureilles will have the outcome of her election decided by the Texas House of Representatives.

Moreno/Rangel Legislative Leadership Program Finalists

The Mexican American Legislative Leadership Foundation recently announced the finalists for its Moreno/Rangel Legislative Leadership Program. The next wave of Latino leaders are: Aaron Barrera of Houston, attending UT Austin; Claudi Briseno of Brownsville, attending St. Edward's University; Martha Adell Cruz of Austin, attending St. Edward's University; Nicole Drozd of San Antonio, attending UT San Antonio; Oriana Fernandez of Eagle Pass, attending University of Houston; Luis Galvan of Odessa, attending UT Permian Basin; Eliseo Garza, Jr. of Hidalgo, attending UT Pan American; Mia Garza of Hebbronville, attending UT Austin; Mary Gonzalez of Clint, attending UT Austin; Orlando Gutierrez of San Antonio, attending St. Mary's University; Luis Martinez of Dallas, attending Southern Methodist University; and Lizette Montiel of Laredo, attending UT Austin.

Interns and fellows will arrive in Austin for a January 5-6 orientation. "We are especially excited about this group of interns and fellows," said Representative Robert Puente. "We expect this group to go very far."

Member Spotlight: Joe Moreno

Representative Joe Moreno of Houston is a native Houstonian. He was born on August 12, 1964, in Houston, Texas. He currently lives in Denver Harbor and represents House District 143, including Magnolia, Manchester, Jacinto City, Galena Park and parts of Pasadena and North Shore. Representative Moreno's commitment to Houston and House District 143 runds deep. He is a member of Resurrection Catholic Church, Harris County Tejano Democrats, and the League of United Latin American Citizens Council Number 60. In addition, he previously held the position of Harris County Precinct Judge for Precinct 62

His legislative career began early - he served as a Legislative Aide to former District 143 State Representative Al Luna. In addition, he served as Chief of Staff and Campaign manager for State Representative Jessica Farrar, also of Houston.

During the 78th Legislative Session, Representative Moreno served on the Houst Committee on Business and Industry and House Committee on Juvenile Justice and Family issues. In addition to being a member of MALC, he serves as Chair of the Harris County Delegation, a bipartisan group of 25 state representatives.

Member Spotlight: Garnet Coleman

Garnet F. Coleman, raised in Houston, attended Howard University in Washington, DC and is a graduate cum laude from the University of St. Thomas in 1990. He is also a graduate of Harvard University's Senior Executive Program for State and Local Government.

After graduating from college, he worked as a Staff Assistant with the 1990 Economic Summit of Industrialized Nations. He began his legislative career in 1991, representing House District 147 in Houston. His district includes the Third Ward, Fourth Ward, South Park, Downtown, Midtown, Sagemont, and the Hobby Airport area.

During his tenure in the Texas House of Representatives, Representative Coleman has established himself as an expert on health and human services issues. Significant achievements include the creation of the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), simplifying children's access to Medicaid, and increased funding to the University of Houston System, Prairie View A&M University, and University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Representative Coleman has the distinction fo being one of only two sitting members who has served on the budget conference committee during four different sessions.

He and his wife, Angelique, live in Houston's University Oaks neighborhood and have two children, Austin and Evan.

Member Spotlight: Eddie Rodriguez

Representative Rodriguez was born in McAllen, Texas, on July 1, 1971. After graduating from McAllen Memorial High School, he spent two years attending St. Mary's University in San Antonio. He then transferred to the University of Texas at Austin and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Government in 1995.

After UT, he began working in a group home which housed individuals with mental retardation. Later, he went on to coordinate political campaigns in Laredo and McAllen. Representative Rodriguez became Chief of staff for former State Representative Glen Maxey where he supervised over 330 pieces of legislation.

During his first term in the Texas House of Representatives, Representative Rodriguez was appointed to the Committee on Economic Development and the Committee on Judicial Affairs. He has focused his legislative agenda on issues such as environmental regulation, public education finance, election issues and economic development.

Member Birthdays

The following members are celebrating birthdays in December; please wish them a happy birthday!

Representative Pete P. Gallego - December 2

Representative Jim Dunnam - December 12

Representative Vilma Luna - December 17