Economic issues get attention of black caucus

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.nwanews.com/adg/national/210469 /

BY TARA M. MANTHEY

Posted on Thursday, December 13, 2007

Black lawmakers from around the nation are convening in Little Rock this week to discuss the mortgage crisis, the uninsured, public school inequities and other social and political issues that affect economic stability.

About 500 members of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators are gathering at the Peabody Little Rock hotel for their 31 st annual conference. The lawmakers said they will focus on promoting financial stability in local, state and national economies by discussing issues such as wage inequity and home foreclosures.

“We believe that by improving the financial stability of our country we can begin disclosing the gap” on disparities on the quality of life of some Americans, Rep. Calvin Smyre, the president of the caucus and a state Democratic legislator from Georgia, said in a news conference Wednesday.

The conference, which runs through Saturday, includes caucus business and policymaking. On Friday evening, former President Clinton will speak at a dinner and receive the organization’s David P. Richardson Jr. Nation Builder Award.

Smyre, a 33-year member of Georgia House of Representatives, said he is pleased that the conference is in Little Rock this year, which is the 50 th anniversary of the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School. He also said Gov. Mike Beebe and Arkansas legislators have been gracious and helpful as the caucus prepared for the conference.

The resolutions adopted this week by the legislators may influence the shaping of public policies in local, state and national governments, Smyre said.

FULL story at link.