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Solving Racial Issues in Our Own Backyard
Solving Racial Issues in Our Own
Backyard
'Racing the Statehouse' Finds States Can Take Action to Address Racial
Inequity
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | FEBRUARY 18,
2010
Media Contact: Debayani Kar 510.338.4917 or dkar@arc.org
Download 'Racing the Statehouse' at http://www.arc.org/reportcards
February 18, 2010: President Obama's creation of the Council of Governors
ahead of this weekend's National Governors Association meeting rightly
recognizes states' key role in shaping national policy. Governors and state
lawmakers are often responsible for improving social and economic outcomes.
States are making progress toward addressing racial disparities, as found in
Applied Research Center's "Racing the Statehouse: Advancing Equitable
Policies," being released today.
"Racing the Statehouse" highlights the growing trend of advocates across the
country undertaking state-level reviews to hold legislators and governors
accountable on addressing racial equity. The report summarizes key findings
from a series of eight reviews by statewide policy organizations. These
state-level report cards, budget reviews and progress reports represent a
comprehensive analysis of the racial impact of hundreds of legislative and
budgetary measures.
Many viable policy solutions to racial inequity are available when state
lawmakers consciously consider racial impact. Most states have recently
proposed or passed some measures deemed to close or eliminate racial
disparities in areas such as public education and criminal justice. At the same
time, most states also proposed or approved some measures likely to have a
negative racial impact by creating or contributing to further inequality and
exclusion for different racial groups.
"When elected officials consciously consider racial impacts during the
lawmaking and budget-setting processes," says Tammy Johnson of Applied
Research Center, "they have the opportunity to eliminate existing racial
disparities and prevent unintended consequences."
"Racing the Statehouse" lifts up the research of a variety of policy
organizations in California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Minnesota, Nevada, New
York and Washington.
"Recently Minnesota lawmakers have made progress in advancing racial
equity in green jobs and criminal justice," says Jermaine Toney of
Organizing Apprenticeship Project. "But much of that was reversed by
the governor's cuts to programs critical for communities of color and
low-income families. The new frontier of racial equity requires elected leaders
to integrate equity as a core element in budget decisions."
"The Racial Equity scorecards put a legislative body on notice that
advocates are on the lookout for conscious legislation aimed at bettering
society as a whole, not just those with the resources to lobby," says Art
Way of Colorado Progressive Coalition.
Experts who can speak to sections of "Racing the Statehouse: Advancing Equitable
Policies" include national report author Tammy Johnson of Applied Research
Center and state-wide report authors Bob Cohen of Citizen Action of New
York and Maru Mora-Villalpando of Washington Community Action Network.
EXPERTS AVAILABLE
Tammy Johnson, Applied Research Center (national/CA)
Director of Strategic Partnerships
(510) 338-4921 office
(510) 289-2061 cell
tjohnson@arc.org
Jermaine Toney, Organizing Apprenticeship Project (MN)
Lead Researcher
(612) 746-4224
toney@oaproject.org
Art Way, Colorado Progressive Coalition (CO)
Civil Rights Organizer
(303) 867-0312
art@progressivecoalition.org
Bob Cohen, Citizen Action of New York (NY)
Policy Director
(518) 465-4600 x104
bcohen@citizenactionny.org
Maru Mora-Villalpando, Washington Community Action Network (WA)
Lead Community Organizer
(206) 805-6669
maru@washingtoncan.org