RAISE Texas Action Summit: Campaign Updates
Working in four small groups at the RAISE Texas Action Summit on April 29- 30, 2008, each of the asset-building campaigns developed action plans and activities over the two days of the summit in Houston.  Below is a list of the campaigns, the key actions that the groups are working on, and updates on the progress of each action. For those unable to attend but are interested in working on one of the campaigns, please contact Lauren Gates at RAISE Texas at lauren@covenantcapital.org.

 1. Matched Savings (click for campaign notes)
Children’s Savings Accounts/State IDA

1. Effect rule making so that the new Texas Tomorrow Fund II (pre-paid college tuition plan) is accessible to all, regardless of income.

RAISE Texas members responded to the proposed rule making for the new Texas Tuition Promise Fund (formally the Texas Tomorrow Fund II pre-paid college tuition plan).  Over 20 member organizations signed on to comments submitted by RAISE Texas. Based on our suggestions, a number of changes were enacted.

           1. The initial enrollment to open an account was changed from $800 to $25 (or one 
              tuition unit).

          2. The enrollment period for new accounts was extended from September 1 - January
              15 to September 1- February 28 to allow participants the opportunity to use their
              income tax refund to enroll in the program.  The Board may also consider
              accepting provisional applications outside of the enrollment window.   

2. Develop a legislative strategy with bi-partisan support to provide funding for matching funds for the Texas Tomorrow Fund II and IDAs.

We are working with a few state legislators in the House and Senate and other key stakeholders from the private and non-profit sectors to work on developing sources for public and private funding for our matched funding provision in the Texas Tuition Promise Fund.

3. Create intergroup support for IDAs.

We have been meeting with state agencies and state legislatures to seek support for public funding for our local IDA programs.

click here for important reading material

2. Community Tax Centers (click for campaign notes)
1. Form a better dialogue between the community tax centers and the IRS.

2. Host a state-wide training for community tax center workers.

Based on the summit, the IRS is hosting four regional TaxWise /Process Based Trainings from September through December for established community tax center workers.  RAISE Texas provided some partial scholarships through a grant from the Texas Credit Union Foundation for several people to attend the trainings.

3. Find a Republican Senator to champion and encourage bi-partisan support for EITC and community tax center legislative efforts.

We are working to develop a legislative strategy to provide funding to support community tax centers through state funding. We have met with a few state legislatures and state agencies seeking support and potential sources of funding.

click here for important reading material

3. Alternative Small Dollar Consumer Loan Products (click for campaign notes)

1. Develop a fact sheet about the payday lending issue.

Click here to view the Fact Sheet on the payday lending issue.

2. Collect information on all local ordinances already passed in the U.S. around this topic.

The information on the ordinances has been gathered and summarized by three members of the working group.  The subcommittee Chair, Ann Baddour, is currently compiling all the information into one document.  This should be ready for final review at the October 1 meeting.

3. Pass a local ordinance in 20 Texas cities within one year.

The working group has already helped three cities – Mesquite, Richardson, and San Antonio.  The group is currently working with two additional cities to pass legislation.

4. Increase media coverage on this topic.

5. Compile a market analysis of product and program alternatives being offered.

The initial market analysis has been completed and distributed to the entire working group.  New products are added as we learn about them.

6. Help to develop products that will serve the consumer needs.

Working group members are assisting two community based organizations and several financial institutions in developing small dollar loan alternatives.

7. Sponsor a policy forum in the fall.

The Payday Lending: Realties and Challenges conference has been organized and will occur on Friday, November 14, 2008 in Austin, Texas.  The conference will be hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas and IC2 Institute at the University of Texas at Austin. For more information and an extended list of speakers, visit:  http://dallasfed.org/news/ca/2008/08payday.cfm

click here for important reading material

 4. Home Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention (click for campaign notes )

1. Provide lots of outreach on the issue with clients and colleagues.

On October 6, the Texas Foreclosure Prevention Task Force is having a meeting at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Houston Branch where members will receive an update on recent activities and planned events.  In addition there will also be break-out sessions that will include the Counseling Committee, Outreach and Education Committee, Strategies Committee and Resource Development and Outcomes Committee.

2. Publicize the HOPE hotline.

The Task Force has had at least six successful press events designed to inform homeowners facing delinquency and possibly foreclosure of free counseling available by calling HOPE hotline.  The number of calls to the HOPE Hotline has increased significantly as a result of these press events.

3. Commit organizations to housing counseling standards.

The working group has sent out information to organizations all over Texas in order to encourage groups to take advantage of the free NeighborWorks Training- Foreclosure Intervention and Default Counseling Certification.  NeighborWorks Training Course HO345rq- Foreclosure Intervention and Default Counseling Certification, Part 1, will be held in San Antonio at the Norris Conference Center on October 20-24, 2008. The deadline for application and registration is October 15^th, but successful completion of the pre-test is mandatory.  To register and take the pre-test visit  http://nw5.org/training/reg_show.php?event=169 and enter invitation code NPBT1020TX.

click here for important reading material

For more detailed information on each of the four campaigns please click here.