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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (July 4, 2016)
7A THE DAILY ASTORIAN • MONDAY, JULY 4, 2016 Minorities missing in many legislatures Disparity is especially large for Hispanics This story is part of Divided America, AP’s ongoing explora- tion of the economic, social and political divisions in American society. By DAVID A. LIEB Associated Press As Virginia’s only Latino state lawmaker, Alfonso Lopez made it his irst order of busi- ness to push for a law granting in-state college tuition to immi- grants living in the U.S. illegally since childhood. The bill died in committee. So Lopez tried again the next year. And the year after that. Now, in his ifth year in ofice, Lopez is gearing up for one more attempt in 2017. “If we had a more diverse (legislature) and more Latinos in the House of Delegates,” he says, “I don’t think it would be as dificult.” America’s government is a lot whiter than American itself, and not just in Virginia. While minorities have made some political gains in recent decades, they remain signii- cantly underrepresented in Con- gress and nearly every state leg- islature though they comprise a growing share of the U.S. pop- ulation, according to an analy- sis of demographic data by The Associated Press. The disparity in elected representation is espe- cially large for Hispanics, even though they are now the nation’s largest ethnic minority. Consequences A lack of political represen- tation can carry real-life con- sequences, and not only on hot-button immigration issues. State spending for public schools, housing and social pro- grams all can have big impli- cations for minority communi- ties. So can decisions on issues such as criminal justice reform, election laws or the printing of AP Photo/Richmond Times-Dispatch, Bob Brown AP Photo/Nati Harnik Tony Vargas, candidate for the Nebraska Legislature, accompanied by his fiancee Lau- ren Micek, center, campaigns in a shop in Omaha, Neb., in June. public documents in other lan- guages besides English. When the people elected don’t look, think, talk or act like the people they represent, it can deepen divisions that naturally exist in the U.S. Campaigning door-to-door in the heavily Latino neigh- borhoods of south Omaha, Nebraska, irst-time legisla- tive candidate Tony Vargas has talked with numerous people afraid to participate in democ- racy. Some felt shunned or con- fused when they once attempted to vote. Others have misconcep- tions about the legal require- ments to do so. Some simply believe their vote doesn’t matter. “You can hear the fear in people’s voices, and you can hear that they feel like less of a member of society, less of an American,” says Vargas, whose parents came to the U.S. from Peru. Though Hispanics now make up 10 percent of Nebras- ka’s population, there is not a single Latino lawmaker in its Legislature. The numbers The Associated Press ana- lyzed data from the U.S. Cen- sus Bureau, Congress and the National Conference of State Legislatures to determine the extent to which the nation’s thousands of lawmakers match the demographics of its hun- dreds of millions of residents. The result: Non-Hispanic whites make up a little over 60 percent of the U.S. population, but still hold more than 80 percent of all congressional and state legisla- tive seats. Among major minority groups: • Blacks are the least under- represented but still face sizable gaps in some places. In Missis- sippi and Louisiana, about one- third of the population is black. Yet each state has a single black member of Congress and a dis- proportionately small number in their state legislatures. • More than half the states still have no lawmakers with Asian or Paciic Islander heri- tage, and just four states have any in Congress. • Hispanics comprise more than 17 percent of the U.S. pop- ulation, yet they are fewer than 7 percent in Congress and fewer than 4 percent of state legisla- tors. The gaps in representation exist even in California, New Mexico and Texas, with the largest Latino populations. Differences There are many reasons for the disparities. The U.S. Hispanic popula- tion generally is younger and less likely to be eligible voters. And those who can vote often don’t. Voter turnout among Hispanics (as well as Asian Americans) dipped to just 27 percent in 2014, compared with 41 percent for blacks and 46 percent for whites, according to the Pew Research Center. Low voter involvement can make it harder to recruit minority can- didates, and less likely for minority communities to be tar- geted by campaigns. “It becomes sort of self-ful- illing — they’re not likely vot- ers, so you don’t talk to them, and because you don’t talk to them, they don’t become likely voters,” says political consul- tant Roger Salazar, whose cli- ents include California’s legis- lative Latino caucus. The power of incumbency also can work against minority representation. Decades of deeply ingrained name recog- nition have helped white law- makers continue to get elected in some districts where popula- tion shifts have gradually made racial minorities the majority. Del. Alfonso Lopez, D-Arlington, speaks to the House of Delegates at the state Capitol in Richmond, Va. Virginia’s only Latino state lawmaker, Lopez made it his first order of business to file legislation granting in-state college tu- ition to immigrants living in the U.S. illegally since child- hood. So far, the bill has died in committee each year Lo- pez has submitted it. Another factor is the way legislative districts have been drawn. Racial gerrymandering can occur either when minority communities are divided among multiple districts to dilute their voting strength or when they are packed heavily into a single district to dimin- ish the likelihood of minorities winning multiple seats. Some success In states that have elected a critical mass of minority legis- lators, they’ve claimed some policy successes. In California, a new law expands the state’s Medi-Cal health care program for low-in- come residents to immigrant children, regardless of their legal status. The state budget includes $15 million for non- proits to help immigrants gain U.S. citizenship or remain in the country. And a law that kicked in last year provided drivers’ licenses to more than 600,000 people living in the country illegally. But minority legislators in numerous states told the AP that their priorities have been stymied partly due to a lack of others like them. For 22 years, Delaware state Sen. Margaret Rose Henry has been the only black senator in a state where African-Ameri- cans comprise more than one- ifth of all residents. Henry says she has long sought to improve the educational opportunities for black children bused under a Wilmington desegregation plan to suburban schools. But recommendations from multi- ple studies have gone nowhere over the years. Now, a new commission has recommended realigning Wilmington area school dis- tricts and revising the state funding formula to direct more money to schools with larger numbers of students who are low-income, learning English or at high risk of not complet- ing school. Henry fears the plan will again be dificult to pass. “If there were more black elected oficials, we would have a better chance to get something done,” she says. he Daily Astorian CLASSIFIEDS W e ca n p la ce yo u r a d in a ll o f th ese p u b lica tio n s: CALL JAM IE TO D AY TO PLACE Y O UR AD 503-325-3211 THE DAILY ASTORIAN : • The Da ily Astoria n • Chin ook O bserver • Coa st M a rketpla ce • Coa st W eeken d • Sea sid e Sig n a l • Ca n n on Bea ch Ga zette 503-325-3211 x231 or 800-781-3211 x231 Web: www.dailyastorian.com E-mail: classifieds@dailyastorian.com P.O . B ox 210 | 949 E xch a n ge St. | Astoria , O regon N EW TOD AY ! Look a t these a ds first NEW TODAY! BANKRUPTCY $275 26 Years Experience (503)440-0281 / (503)678-7939 Billing Specialist Needed: Responsiblities include billing out daily accounts and handling insurance claims. Making patient, hospital and insurance phone calls. Collecting on past due accounts. Send resumes to jobs@medix.org or Medix Ambulance, 2325 SE Dolphin Ave, Warrenton OR 97146 W E G E T RESU L TS TH E D E AD L IN E F OR CL ASSIF IE D AD S is 1p.m . the d a y before you r a d is sched u led to ru n w w w.d a ilya storia n .com 35 Lost & Found CLA SSIFIED IN DEX All cla ssified a ds require pre-pa ym ent 70 Help Wanted Occasionally other companies make telemarketing calls off clas- sified ads. These companies are not affiliated with The Daily Asto- rian and customers are under no obligation to participate. If you would like to contact the at- torney general or be put on the do not call list, here are the links to both of them Complaint form link: http://www.doj.state.or.us/ finfraud/ 46 Announcements Sunset Empire Park & Recreation District announces a change to their Monthly Board of Directors Meeting Schedule. Beginning in July, Board of Directors Meet- ings will be held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 4pm. All meetings are held at the Bob Chisholm Community Center in Seaside and are open to the public. The July Board Meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 19, at 4pm. 61 Bankruptcy BANKRUPTCY $275 26 Years Experience (503)440-0281 / (503)678-7939 MISCELLANEOUS 300 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jewelry 310 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tools & Heavy Equipment 350 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Appliances 360 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Furniture & H H Goods 365 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Antiques & Collectibles 375 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Misc. For Sale 379-395 . . . . Swap Meets & Garage Sales 400 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Misc. Wanted 430 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arts & Crafts EMPLOYMENT 060 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Babysitters, Child Care 070 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Help Wanted 080 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Work Wanted FINANCIAL 105-106 . . . . . . Business For Sale- S ales Op 120 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Money To Lend REAL ESTATE 130 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Open Houses 150-200 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . For Sale 160 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lots & Acreage 195 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Homes Wanted 205-275 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rentals 285-290 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RV/Trailer Space ANIMALS/LIVESTOCK 460 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Animal Boarding 470 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fe ed-Hay-Gr ain 475-495 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anim al-Live stock 485 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pets & Supplies MARINE 500-525 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marine AUTOMOBILE 535-595 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Automobile 70 Help Wanted Full time/Half time Truck driver: Class A CDL, medical card, on road/off road experiance required. Call 503-791-7038. Beautiful, Young, Siamese Cat Owners Moved and Abandonded It. Call 503-836-2142 For More Info or Arrange Meeting 45 Public Notices 70 Help Wanted ANNOUNCEMENTS 035 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lost & Found 040 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Personals 050 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Professional Services 061 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bankruptcy Astoria Riverwalk Inn is under new management and is currently accepting applications for •Front Desk •Housekeeping •Laundry personnel. We offer competitive wages starting at $12 per hour plus an end of summer bonus! Interested applicants should apply in person at 400 Industry Street here in Astoria. Accounting/Data Entry Clerk (Astoria, OR) Small office looking for an entry level accounting/data entry clerk This position is FULL TIME and YEAR ROUND Mon-Sat 7am-5pm Wage $11-$14 per hour Send reply to Box 242, c/o Daily Astorian, P.O. Box 210, Astoria, OR 97103 BioOregon Protein has an immediate opening for a Lab Technician I. Apply in person at 1935 NW Warrenton Drive in Warrenton. 503-861-2256. Pre-employment screening required. EEO and e-verify company. Hiring experienced Journeyman Electricians to join our team. Located in Seaside. Bill’s Tavern and Brewhouse is hiring for the following positions: •Prep Cook, PT/Nights •Servers, PT/FT •Bussers PT/FT Please apply in person at 188 N Hemlock, Cannon Beach. 503-436-2202 70 Help Wanted Clatsop Care In Home Caregiver positions available. Bring your caring attitude for our clients. Flexible hours, experience preferred, but will train. Employer paid benefits upon eligibility. EOE. Apply at www.clatsopcare.org or 646 16th St. Astoria. Helly Hansen is hiring retail staff to sell outdoor apparel at its Seaside store! Apply: store.seaside@HellyHansen.com Requirements: Oregon General Journeyman Electrician License. Residential card OK. Oregon Driver’s License We offer TOP PAY for qualified applicants. Paid holidays and paid vacation. Call John 503-739-7145 or email resume to: joan@jjelectricservice.com MAKE A SOCIAL IMPACT! MTC seeks candidates for several positions at Tongue Point Job Corps. We teach 473 youth, ages 16-24, the academic, technical training, and employability skills they need to become prepared for successful careers. Students apply through a Job Corps admissions counselor and have to be accepted into the program. Training is open entry, open exit and can last up to 2 years. Students work at their own pace, guided by staff who are committed to their success. MTC has some of the best benefits on the North Coast including 3 weeks vacation, 2 weeks sick leave, 11 paid holidays, and fully-vested 401-k. Please consider joining our amazing team. Not sure? Call for a tour! 503-338-4924. Clean-Sweep Paving & Maint. Truck Driver/Equipment Operator Laborer Full Time, Perm Position. Acceptable Drivers License (Class A CDL) Pre-Employ Drug Test. Benefit Package, Competitive Wage DOE. 1570 Lewis & Clark Rd, Seaside 503-738-7556 cs@cleansweeppaving.com Campus Security Officer Human Resources Assistant Custodian Recreation Advisor (full & part-time) Residential Advisor (full-time & oncall) Records Clerk (temporary) For more information, go to www.mtctrains.com. Select Careers and the Tongue Point location. Drug and tobacco-free workplace. Equal Opportunity Employer. Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran. MTC Values Diversity!