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BusinessSaturday FEBRUARY 28 at 6:30PM: Fiesta de Aniversario ($15 for members and $18 for non-members) Hispanic Business Association of Baltimore and the Maryland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Enjoy Latin-style food and the music of Latin Soul Band. Special guest speaker: Mayor Martin O’Malley. Contact HBA at 410-522-6700 or check the Calendar of Events at www.mdhcc.netTuesday March 3 at 12PM:
Luncheon at Café Latino in Frederick HISPANICS WANT IN ON SLOTS DEALS By Robert Redding Jr. THE WASHINGTON TIMES ----------------------------------------------------------- ANNAPOLIS — A leader of Hispanic Republicans in Maryland says he doubts that black lawmakers legally can broker a deal to secure ownership of two proposed slot-machine emporiums, but adds that Hispanics also might be interested in casino ownership. "There would be a question mark in my mind as to whether or not minority ownership of slot emporiums or other gambling venues could actually be legislated or whether that would be where the lawyers take over," Luis Borunda, chairman of the Hispanic Republicans of Maryland, told The Washington Times. "But if it is something that could be legislated, then I am sure that other ethnic minorities — including Hispanics — would be interested in investing in Maryland's economy from a national perspective," Mr. Borunda said. His group has 45 members and recently became the state party's official Hispanic outreach arm. The Times reported earlier this month that leaders of the 42-member Maryland Legislative Black Caucus would support Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.'s most recent plan to put 15,500 slot machines at four racetracks and two other sites along Interstate 95 if blacks are guaranteed ownership of the two off-track sites. Mr. Borunda said he has no plans to talk to Mr. Ehrlich, a Republican, about Hispanic ownership of gaming venues but is certain "some segments of the Hispanic community are interested in gambling." Mr. Ehrlich's original plan to put about 11,500 slot machines at four tracks passed last year in the Senate but was killed by the Democrat-controlled House Ways and Means Committee. The governor wants to use slots revenue to pay for the Thornton Education Reform Act, which attempts to close the disparity between rich and poor school districts. He said slots would generate $800 million a year if all 15,500 machines were operating. House Speaker Michael E. Busch, Anne Arundel Democrat, wants to finance the act with a 1-cent sales-tax increase. All 42 members of the black caucus are Democrats and represent an important bloc of votes for Mr. Ehrlich, who says "minority involvement" is essential to the success of his slots legislation. However, at least two caucus members and black church leaders remain opposed to any slots legislation. Still, Mr. Borunda lauded the black caucus' effort with Mr. Ehrlich. "There are forces out there that would like nothing better than to see minorities divided on economic issues," Mr. Borunda said. "We know that, and we are not going to play into that. Whoever the African-Americans are that are brokering this deal, that is great for them. I don't personally have any animosity toward them."
The Third Annual Maryland Hispanic Business Legislative Reception celebrated in Annapolis. Sponsored by the Hispanic Chambers of Commerce of Baltimore and Montgomery County, the reception took place at the House Lowes Bldg. Present were Lt. Governor Mike Steele, DBED Secretary Ari Melissaratos and dozens of legislators from both the Senate and the House of Delegates. Senator Alex Mooney, and Delegates Ana Sol Gutierrez and Victor Ramirez, the three Maryland Hispanic legislators were on hand as were Tom Perez, City Councilman from Montgomery County. Carmen Ortiz Larsen and Roberto Allen did the honors
Bulletin from the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce -- Montgomery County Small Business Programs at Risk 2005 request for SBA is $120 million less than last year; guts access to capital programs WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-N.Y.), Ranking Member of the House Small Business Committee, today called the administration's budget request of just $678.4 million for the Small Business Administration (SBA) "a travesty for America's small businesses," and vowed to fight in Congress to restore the agency's funding. The request is almost $120 million short of President Bush's inadequate 2004 request of $797.9 million, with most of the cuts being made to the SBA's access to capital programs. "The Bush administration consistently talks about its support for small business, but time and time again, it fails to back up its rhetoric with action," Congresswoman Velázquez said. "This budget request confirms what Democrats have believed all along - that President Bush talks a lot about helping small business, but his actions prove this is far from the truth. Even though small businesses are the number one job creator in this country - and jobs are exactly what the American people need right now - the SBA is one of the hardest hit agencies in Bush's $2.4 trillion FY 2005 budget. This shows just how weak this administration's commitment is to small businesses, which are the backbone of the U.S. economy." In the FY 2005 budget request, the Bush administration made several cuts to the SBA's access to capital programs at a time when these programs are needed most. The SBA's flagship 7(a) Loan Program, which has faced shutdowns, caps and restrictions in recent months, received no funding under the latest Bush budget. Instead the administration proposes to run the program solely through fee increases, substantially raising the cost for small businesses to use the program and taking billions of dollars out of the economy. Congresswoman Velázquez also took issue with the SBA's statements that lending to minorities has increased by "double digits." Despite the agency's claims, in 2003 lending to minority-owned businesses in the 7(a) loan program actually declined by $200 million. In addition, the SBA programs that are critical to aiding this nation's low-income and minority communities - the Microloan Program, the New Markets Venture Capital Program, BusinessLINC, PRIME and the Business Information Centers (BICs) received no funding in the administration's recent budget request. The SBA's Microloan Program provides very small loans to start-ups, and targets mainly low-income entrepreneurs. Last year this vital program provided $26.5 million in loans and an additional $15 million in technical assistance. The Microloan Program enables individuals to become self-sufficient, while creating jobs and contributing to economic development in local communities. Bush's 2005 budget also provides no funding for the New Markets Venture Capital Company Program, which aims to bring equity investment to low-income communities across the nation. SBA's PRIME (Program for Investments and Microenterpreneurs) for disadvantaged microentrepreneurs and BusinessLINC, a mentoring program for small businesses in low-income areas, were both zeroed out in the Bush administration's 2005 budget request. "These moves, such as terminating the Microloan Program and increasing borrower fees on small 7(a) loans, are just inconceivable, given the Bush administration's recent push to make more small loans," Congresswoman Velázquez said. "And in proposing to solve the 7(a) loan crisis by raising fees, this administration leaves small businesses shouldering yet another tax. I would like to ask President Bush how he can say his administration helps small enterprise when it continually underfunds the federal agency dedicated to this very mission." The SBA's mission is "to maintain and strengthen the nation's economy by aiding, counseling, assisting and protecting the interests of small businesses and by helping families and businesses recover from national disasters." Baltimore Hispanic Chamber of Commerce gets a new board The chamber celebrated a get together
to invest the new members of board for 2004 as follows: More than 150 people congregated in the Latin Palace on Broadway in Baltimore, for the investiture of the new 2004 board of directors. Judge Audrey Carrion presided and administered the oath of office to the members. Keynote speaker Jim Breiner of the Baltimore Business Journal spoke of diversity in the Baltimore business and confirmed the Hispanic community's arrival in the world of business and the great amount of respect its has amassed in Baltimore from the larger business community. Mayor Martin O'Malley, Secretary of DBED, Aris Melissaratos, former Baltimore Deputy Mayor Laurie Schwartz and many other officials came and stayed to try the magnificent Latin Palace's paella and to get some "salsa" lessons. The gathering was a resounding success, one more to chalk up to the long list of successes experienced by the young chamber. Congratulations and adelante!
From Luis Borunda,
Baltimore Hispanic Chamber of Commerce | |||||||||||||||
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