Together Louisiana releases landmark study
News Intro Text
Industrial Tax Exemption Program
News Item Content
<p>Findings show:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>A state board is giving away $16.7 billion in local property taxes, without approval from local governments losing the funding Public subsidies total $535,343 per job created BP received $9.4 million in public subsidies from Louisiana taxpayers during and after Deepwater Horizon spill Louisiana’s top 5 polluters are each receiving public taxpayer subsidies, totaling $505 million Governor John Bel Edwards has the constitutional authority to overhaul the program single-handedly, in whatever way he deems is in the best interest of the state.</p>
<p>June 20th, 2016 – Together Louisiana is releasing the most in-depth study of Louisiana’s Industrial Tax Exemption program to date, and the findings are making waves in the State Capitol and across the state.</p>
<p>The analysis is significant not only in its scathing assessment of the program for its cost and poor results for economic development, but also in the case Together Louisiana makes that reforming the program is relatively simple and achievable in the short-term.</p>
<p>Under the Industrial Tax Exemption Program, or ITEP, the Louisiana State Board of Commerce and Industry offers exemptions from property taxes to manufacturers who replace their equipment or expand their operations. The exemptions are from local property tax revenue – funding that would go to local school districts, parishes, cities and other local entities. However, a state board, the Board of Commerce and Industry, makes the decisions on the subsidies, without the approval of the local entities who are losing the funding. </p>
<p>The program currently redirects a total of $16.7 billion in property taxes over 10 years from local governmental entities to corporations – an average of $1.67 billion per year -- making it, according to the study, the single largest program of state subsidies to corporations in the nation.</p>
<p>The study, which includes an analysis of the cost to every parish and a breakdown of foregone revenue for each public service with a dedicated millage, is available at www.togetherla.com.</p>
<p>The study also shows how the program can be reformed, which turns out to be easier to accomplish than virtually any other tax measure under discussion at the time. (See "finding #1" below.)</p>
<p>Top 10 Findings of the Together Louisiana analysis of Industrial Tax Exemption Program:</p>
<p>#10) The Industrial Tax Exemption Program is the single largest program of state subsidies to corporations in the nation.</p>
<p>#9) The exemptions are not “incentives” in any meaningful sense, because they are automatic and non-discretionary, with no "return-on-investment" analysis, no requirement for job creation and no assessment of whether the investments would have taken place anyway without the subsidies.</p>
<p>#8) The program is the only example in the nation of a state board giving away the tax revenue of local governmental entities, without the approval of those entities.</p>
<p>#7) The public subsidy PER JOB created by the exemptions is $535,343.</p>
<p>#6) The exemptions currently granted total $16.7 billion over 10 years, an average of $1.67 billion per year.</p>
<p>#5) The amount of industrial exemptions given away each year is 23 times as large as the current TOPS shortfall.</p>
<p>#4) The amount of tax revenue lost to local school districts alone each year ($587 million) is more than three times the amount it would take to implement universal pre-K statewide ($185 million).</p>
<p>#3) All of the five companies with the worst record of toxic chemical releases in Louisiana are receiving industrial tax exemption subsidies, totaling $506 million.</p>
<p>#2) During the Deepwater Horizon oil spill (2010), BP was receiving its first installment on $9.4 million in industrial tax exemption subsidies. Those exemptions were renewed in 2014.</p>
<p>#1) Reforming the Industrial Tax Exemption Program is simple and achievable. The Louisiana constitution grants the Governor the authority to reform the program in whatever way he deems is “in the best interest of the state.”</p>
<p><a href="http://togetherla.com/analysis/">Download the full study.</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>A state board is giving away $16.7 billion in local property taxes, without approval from local governments losing the funding Public subsidies total $535,343 per job created BP received $9.4 million in public subsidies from Louisiana taxpayers during and after Deepwater Horizon spill Louisiana’s top 5 polluters are each receiving public taxpayer subsidies, totaling $505 million Governor John Bel Edwards has the constitutional authority to overhaul the program single-handedly, in whatever way he deems is in the best interest of the state.</p>
<p>June 20th, 2016 – Together Louisiana is releasing the most in-depth study of Louisiana’s Industrial Tax Exemption program to date, and the findings are making waves in the State Capitol and across the state.</p>
<p>The analysis is significant not only in its scathing assessment of the program for its cost and poor results for economic development, but also in the case Together Louisiana makes that reforming the program is relatively simple and achievable in the short-term.</p>
<p>Under the Industrial Tax Exemption Program, or ITEP, the Louisiana State Board of Commerce and Industry offers exemptions from property taxes to manufacturers who replace their equipment or expand their operations. The exemptions are from local property tax revenue – funding that would go to local school districts, parishes, cities and other local entities. However, a state board, the Board of Commerce and Industry, makes the decisions on the subsidies, without the approval of the local entities who are losing the funding. </p>
<p>The program currently redirects a total of $16.7 billion in property taxes over 10 years from local governmental entities to corporations – an average of $1.67 billion per year -- making it, according to the study, the single largest program of state subsidies to corporations in the nation.</p>
<p>The study, which includes an analysis of the cost to every parish and a breakdown of foregone revenue for each public service with a dedicated millage, is available at www.togetherla.com.</p>
<p>The study also shows how the program can be reformed, which turns out to be easier to accomplish than virtually any other tax measure under discussion at the time. (See "finding #1" below.)</p>
<p>Top 10 Findings of the Together Louisiana analysis of Industrial Tax Exemption Program:</p>
<p>#10) The Industrial Tax Exemption Program is the single largest program of state subsidies to corporations in the nation.</p>
<p>#9) The exemptions are not “incentives” in any meaningful sense, because they are automatic and non-discretionary, with no "return-on-investment" analysis, no requirement for job creation and no assessment of whether the investments would have taken place anyway without the subsidies.</p>
<p>#8) The program is the only example in the nation of a state board giving away the tax revenue of local governmental entities, without the approval of those entities.</p>
<p>#7) The public subsidy PER JOB created by the exemptions is $535,343.</p>
<p>#6) The exemptions currently granted total $16.7 billion over 10 years, an average of $1.67 billion per year.</p>
<p>#5) The amount of industrial exemptions given away each year is 23 times as large as the current TOPS shortfall.</p>
<p>#4) The amount of tax revenue lost to local school districts alone each year ($587 million) is more than three times the amount it would take to implement universal pre-K statewide ($185 million).</p>
<p>#3) All of the five companies with the worst record of toxic chemical releases in Louisiana are receiving industrial tax exemption subsidies, totaling $506 million.</p>
<p>#2) During the Deepwater Horizon oil spill (2010), BP was receiving its first installment on $9.4 million in industrial tax exemption subsidies. Those exemptions were renewed in 2014.</p>
<p>#1) Reforming the Industrial Tax Exemption Program is simple and achievable. The Louisiana constitution grants the Governor the authority to reform the program in whatever way he deems is “in the best interest of the state.”</p>
<p><a href="http://togetherla.com/analysis/">Download the full study.</a></p>
Date
JSRI is hiring!
News Intro Text
JSRI is seeking a new administrative assistant.
News Item Content
<p>The Administrative Assistant III serves as the first contact for students, faculty, and others seeking information about the Jesuit Social Research Institute (JSRI). This position provides the administrative and clerical support necessary for the effective and efficient operation of the JSRI and provides support to the Director and Fellows of the Jesuit Social Research Institute (JSRI); staffs multiple print and news media communication vehicles for multiple Loyola and external publics; and provides the support necessary for the JSRI to continue to grow and develop within Loyola University and in outside professional contexts. </p>
<p>Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree; minimum of 2 years prior administrative experience; interest in and compatibility with JSRI’s mission for research, education, facilitation, advocacy, immersions, Catholic social thought, service, faith, and promoting justice; ability to collaborate with others to complete research projects; good organizational abilities; proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and basic internet skills; ability to relate well with all Loyola associates such as administration, faculty, staff, students, and JSRI constituency within the region; ability to work with the colleagues to design and develop promotional materials; ability to complete projects under deadline; ability to learn Loyola’s computer systems; initiative and flexibility; ability to work closely with the director and fellows; willingness to adjust work schedule to the needs of the JSRI when necessary, e.g., possible weekend conferences, board meetings, etc. Preferred qualifications include bilingual in English and Spanish; former Jesuit volunteer or other social justice service experience.</p>
<p>For more information about how to apply, please visit <a href="http://finance.loyno.edu/human-resources/staff-employment-opportunities">Loyola University New Orleans Staff Employment Opportunities </a></p>
<p>Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree; minimum of 2 years prior administrative experience; interest in and compatibility with JSRI’s mission for research, education, facilitation, advocacy, immersions, Catholic social thought, service, faith, and promoting justice; ability to collaborate with others to complete research projects; good organizational abilities; proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and basic internet skills; ability to relate well with all Loyola associates such as administration, faculty, staff, students, and JSRI constituency within the region; ability to work with the colleagues to design and develop promotional materials; ability to complete projects under deadline; ability to learn Loyola’s computer systems; initiative and flexibility; ability to work closely with the director and fellows; willingness to adjust work schedule to the needs of the JSRI when necessary, e.g., possible weekend conferences, board meetings, etc. Preferred qualifications include bilingual in English and Spanish; former Jesuit volunteer or other social justice service experience.</p>
<p>For more information about how to apply, please visit <a href="http://finance.loyno.edu/human-resources/staff-employment-opportunities">Loyola University New Orleans Staff Employment Opportunities </a></p>
Date
Our Better Angels
News Intro Text
Senate Committee Rejects Effort to Scapegoat Immigrants
News Item Content
<p>by Sue Weishar, Ph.D.</p>
<p>In the recently ended regular session of the Louisiana legislature, immigrant advocates worked hard to convince state legislators that the bias-free policing policies adopted by the NOPD and Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office [1] did not make New Orleans a “sanctuary city,” and that a bill introduced to prohibit New Orleans’ bias-free law enforcement policies, HB 1148, should be opposed because it scapegoats immigrants and would undermine community safety.</p>
<p>Sanctuary is an ancient Christian tradition that ensures anyone who seeks the mercy of the Church will be protected. Unfortunately, nativist politicians have besmirched that term by implying that cities that have adopted bias-free law enforcement policies, like New Orleans, are “sanctuary cities” where an undocumented immigrant is not held accountable for crimes he/she may commit. That bias-free police policies do not in any way permit or encourage immigrants to commit crimes seemed lost on Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry and State Representative Valerie Hodges, the major proponents of HB 1148.</p>
<p>When defending the bill in the Louisiana legislature the misinformation, fear-mongering, and scapegoating Landry and Hodges engaged in was stunning. The AG claimed that New Orleans law enforcement policies were creating a “safe harbor for terrorists,” defying both common sense and national security experts who understand that building trust between police and community members, including immigrants, is key to thwarting terrorist acts. He also asserted that “sanctuary city laws” will lead to an “automatic” increase in crime, even though cities with bias-free policing policies, like San Francisco, have seen their murder rates drop much more than similar cities without bias-free policing policies. His most outrageous assertion was that New Orleans law enforcement policies give undocumented immigrants “more rights than your average citizen.” Is it possible our state’s chief attorney is unaware of the rights and privileges of U.S. citizenship?</p>
<p><a href="https://t.e2ma.net/message/j6ryk/r8611c">MORE>></a></p>
<p>In the recently ended regular session of the Louisiana legislature, immigrant advocates worked hard to convince state legislators that the bias-free policing policies adopted by the NOPD and Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office [1] did not make New Orleans a “sanctuary city,” and that a bill introduced to prohibit New Orleans’ bias-free law enforcement policies, HB 1148, should be opposed because it scapegoats immigrants and would undermine community safety.</p>
<p>Sanctuary is an ancient Christian tradition that ensures anyone who seeks the mercy of the Church will be protected. Unfortunately, nativist politicians have besmirched that term by implying that cities that have adopted bias-free law enforcement policies, like New Orleans, are “sanctuary cities” where an undocumented immigrant is not held accountable for crimes he/she may commit. That bias-free police policies do not in any way permit or encourage immigrants to commit crimes seemed lost on Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry and State Representative Valerie Hodges, the major proponents of HB 1148.</p>
<p>When defending the bill in the Louisiana legislature the misinformation, fear-mongering, and scapegoating Landry and Hodges engaged in was stunning. The AG claimed that New Orleans law enforcement policies were creating a “safe harbor for terrorists,” defying both common sense and national security experts who understand that building trust between police and community members, including immigrants, is key to thwarting terrorist acts. He also asserted that “sanctuary city laws” will lead to an “automatic” increase in crime, even though cities with bias-free policing policies, like San Francisco, have seen their murder rates drop much more than similar cities without bias-free policing policies. His most outrageous assertion was that New Orleans law enforcement policies give undocumented immigrants “more rights than your average citizen.” Is it possible our state’s chief attorney is unaware of the rights and privileges of U.S. citizenship?</p>
<p><a href="https://t.e2ma.net/message/j6ryk/r8611c">MORE>></a></p>
Date
Social Security Administration Faces Record-High Workload with Fewer Resources
News Intro Text
[Center on Budget and Policy Priorities]
News Item Content
<p><a href="http://www.cbpp.org/research/retirement-security/budget-cuts-squeeze-social-security-administration-even-as-workloads">Full Report >></a></p>
<p><img alt="" src="https://jsri.loyno.edu/sites/loyno.edu.jsri/files/CBPP.jpg" /></p>
<p><img alt="" src="https://jsri.loyno.edu/sites/loyno.edu.jsri/files/CBPP.jpg" /></p>
Date
JSRI STATEMENT
News Intro Text
National Payday Rule Could Save Louisiana Consumers Millions But Proposed Rule Still Needs Strengthening
News Item Content
<p>National Payday Rule Could Save Louisiana Consumers Millions But Proposed Rule Still Needs Strengthening </p>
<p>June 2, 2016</p>
<p>“Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau unveiled a proposal for a new national rule on payday and car title lending that has the potential to save Louisiana residents millions if changes are made before the rule is finalized,” Fr. Fred Kammer, SJ, JSRI’s Executive Director said.</p>
<p>“The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s proposed rule on payday and car title lending is a good beginning, but there is still much work to be done to ensure this rule truly protects consumers from the legalized loan sharks who prey on our communities,” Fr. Kammer said. “Fortunately, this is just the opening offer. Our community will be working hard over the next few months to help the CFPB understand the importance of closing loopholes in what is otherwise a well thought out proposal. In doing so, they can shut the debt trap once and for all.” </p>
<p>Payday and car title loans with interest rates that average 391 percent drain $241.5 million in fees annually from the pockets of Louisianans who can least afford it, according to a report by the Center for Responsible Lending. </p>
<p>“This type of lending exploits those in need and our Catholic tradition warns against such modern day usury,” said Fr. Kammer. “Our U.S. Catholic bishops already have expressed to Congress the need to protect low-income families from extremely onerous interest rates and fees as in payday loans.”</p>
<p>Accordingly, JSRI and advocates around the country have been pushing for a federal rule that simply requires these lenders to do what any responsible lender does already – to determine whether a borrower is likely to be able to pay back the loan, without defaulting on basic necessities like rent and groceries, and without immediately taking out another loan. </p>
<p>While the CFPB rule does create such an affordability standard, the rule also allows for many exemptions and leaves open too many loopholes to meaningfully reduce the harm of predatory lending. A more detailed analysis of what works and what does not about the CFPB’s proposal is available <a href="http://stopthedebttrap.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/stdt_payday_proposed_rule_works_jun2016.pdf">HERE</a>.</p>
<p>The CFPB will be seeking comments from the public until September 14, 2016, after which they will review before making the rule final in 2017. In the meantime, consumers are encouraged to comment and suggest changes to the final rule that will close loopholes and remove exemptions. Comments can be offered at <a href="http://www.stoppaydaypredators.org">www.stoppaydaypredators.org </a></p>
<p><a href="https://jsri.loyno.edu/sites/loyno.edu.jsri/files/JSRI Payday Rules Statement.pdf">FULL STATEMENT >></a></p>
<p>June 2, 2016</p>
<p>“Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau unveiled a proposal for a new national rule on payday and car title lending that has the potential to save Louisiana residents millions if changes are made before the rule is finalized,” Fr. Fred Kammer, SJ, JSRI’s Executive Director said.</p>
<p>“The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s proposed rule on payday and car title lending is a good beginning, but there is still much work to be done to ensure this rule truly protects consumers from the legalized loan sharks who prey on our communities,” Fr. Kammer said. “Fortunately, this is just the opening offer. Our community will be working hard over the next few months to help the CFPB understand the importance of closing loopholes in what is otherwise a well thought out proposal. In doing so, they can shut the debt trap once and for all.” </p>
<p>Payday and car title loans with interest rates that average 391 percent drain $241.5 million in fees annually from the pockets of Louisianans who can least afford it, according to a report by the Center for Responsible Lending. </p>
<p>“This type of lending exploits those in need and our Catholic tradition warns against such modern day usury,” said Fr. Kammer. “Our U.S. Catholic bishops already have expressed to Congress the need to protect low-income families from extremely onerous interest rates and fees as in payday loans.”</p>
<p>Accordingly, JSRI and advocates around the country have been pushing for a federal rule that simply requires these lenders to do what any responsible lender does already – to determine whether a borrower is likely to be able to pay back the loan, without defaulting on basic necessities like rent and groceries, and without immediately taking out another loan. </p>
<p>While the CFPB rule does create such an affordability standard, the rule also allows for many exemptions and leaves open too many loopholes to meaningfully reduce the harm of predatory lending. A more detailed analysis of what works and what does not about the CFPB’s proposal is available <a href="http://stopthedebttrap.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/stdt_payday_proposed_rule_works_jun2016.pdf">HERE</a>.</p>
<p>The CFPB will be seeking comments from the public until September 14, 2016, after which they will review before making the rule final in 2017. In the meantime, consumers are encouraged to comment and suggest changes to the final rule that will close loopholes and remove exemptions. Comments can be offered at <a href="http://www.stoppaydaypredators.org">www.stoppaydaypredators.org </a></p>
<p><a href="https://jsri.loyno.edu/sites/loyno.edu.jsri/files/JSRI Payday Rules Statement.pdf">FULL STATEMENT >></a></p>
Date
Predatory Lending in Louisiana
News Intro Text
Payday and car title lenders are preying on Louisianans
News Item Content
<p><img alt="" src="https://jsri.loyno.edu/sites/loyno.edu.jsri/files/Payday Infographic.png" style="width: 700px; height: 3444px;" /></p>
<p><a href="https://jsri.loyno.edu/sites/loyno.edu.jsri/files/Payday PDF 2 page.pdf">2 Page printable version can be found HERE</a></p>
<p><a href="https://jsri.loyno.edu/sites/loyno.edu.jsri/files/Payday PDF 2 page.pdf">2 Page printable version can be found HERE</a></p>
Date
The Meaning of Social Justice
News Intro Text
JSRI's JustSouth Index
News Item Content
<p>by Jeanie Donovan, MPA, MPH</p>
<p>When JSRI released the inaugural edition of the JustSouth Index on March 17, 2016, we were grateful to receive coverage by various local, state, and national news outlets. With media coverage, however, comes the opportunity for online readers to post their thoughts, comments and feedback without filter. The online comments related to the JustSouth Index included the usual array of submissions ranging from insightful to incendiary to incoherent. While most were not particularly notable, one provocative comment gave me pause. It made the claim that social justice is a “meaningless term.” While initially I was angered by the comment, I soon realized that it was a teachable moment.</p>
<p>I suspect the author of the comment may have meant that social justice is an ambiguous term; and one that they have seen the term applied in a wide variety of contexts. While social justice is in fact a conceptual term, it does have very specific meaning, especially in the context of Catholic social teaching. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that a society ensures social justice when it provides the conditions that allow associations or individuals to obtain what is their due, according to their nature and vocation. This includes having the material, cultural, and spiritual resources needed to achieve full development and contribute to society. </p>
<p><a href="https://t.e2ma.net/webview/ziguk/e0f9fe6f32f8ecdc42bece83274117ff">MORE>></a></p>
<p>When JSRI released the inaugural edition of the JustSouth Index on March 17, 2016, we were grateful to receive coverage by various local, state, and national news outlets. With media coverage, however, comes the opportunity for online readers to post their thoughts, comments and feedback without filter. The online comments related to the JustSouth Index included the usual array of submissions ranging from insightful to incendiary to incoherent. While most were not particularly notable, one provocative comment gave me pause. It made the claim that social justice is a “meaningless term.” While initially I was angered by the comment, I soon realized that it was a teachable moment.</p>
<p>I suspect the author of the comment may have meant that social justice is an ambiguous term; and one that they have seen the term applied in a wide variety of contexts. While social justice is in fact a conceptual term, it does have very specific meaning, especially in the context of Catholic social teaching. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that a society ensures social justice when it provides the conditions that allow associations or individuals to obtain what is their due, according to their nature and vocation. This includes having the material, cultural, and spiritual resources needed to achieve full development and contribute to society. </p>
<p><a href="https://t.e2ma.net/webview/ziguk/e0f9fe6f32f8ecdc42bece83274117ff">MORE>></a></p>
Date
The Great Louisiana Tax Swap, 2008 to 2016
News Intro Text
From the Statewide Assembly [05/02/16]
News Item Content
<p><a href="https://jsri.loyno.edu/sites/loyno.edu.jsri/files/Presentation_State Taxes_5-1-16P.pdf"><img alt="" src="https://jsri.loyno.edu/sites/loyno.edu.jsri/files/Louisiana Taxes.jpg" style="width: 700px; height: 280px;" /></a></p>
Date
Fair Food Program
News Intro Text
Coalition of Immokalee Workers Calls for Boycott of Wendy’s
News Item Content
<p>by Mary Baudouin</p>
<p>In 2003, the Jesuits of the New Orleans Province were approached by the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW), a Florida-based farmworkers rights organization, to promote in our province ministries a nationwide boycott of Taco Bell restaurants. The goal of the boycott was to increase the amount that Taco Bell paid farmers for tomatoes by one penny per pound, which in turn could increase the rate pay for field laborers. This boycott, which was endorsed by more than 50 high schools and 300 college campuses, including Loyola University New Orleans, succeeded in cutting contracts or preventing new contracts with Taco Bell. In March 2005, Taco Bell signed a historic agreement to “work with CIW to improve working and pay conditions for farmworkers in the Florida tomato fields."</p>
<p>A year later, the New Orleans Province co-filed with other shareholders a resolution with the McDonald’s Corporation calling for the company to address wages and working conditions for farmworkers who pick most of the tomatoes served in McDonald's restaurants in the U.S. As a result of this resolution and many other public actions, McDonald's agreed to meet the CIW's demand that the company pay an additional penny per pound for the Florida tomatoes it purchased. </p>
<p>In the subsequent years the CIW has continued their campaign to pressure farmers and retail food companies to ensure humane wages and working conditions for farmworkers, primarily through their Fair Food Program, a human rights project that has been designed and enforced by the workers themselves. A Fair Food Standards Council has been established to provide third-party monitoring of both buyers and growers. Some of the buyers participating in the Fair Food Program are familiar – and big – names, including: Walmart, Trader Joe’s, Subway, Burger King, Whole Foods, Sodexo, Aramark, and of course Taco Bell and McDonald’s. The Fair Food Program has been called “the best workplace-monitoring program” in the US in the New York Times, and “one of the great human rights success stories of our day” in the Washington Post. </p>
<p><a href="https://t.e2ma.net/webview/rk0ok/0c07c0906e49820d6aaf1c1b6203bd3b">MORE>></a></p>
<p>In 2003, the Jesuits of the New Orleans Province were approached by the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW), a Florida-based farmworkers rights organization, to promote in our province ministries a nationwide boycott of Taco Bell restaurants. The goal of the boycott was to increase the amount that Taco Bell paid farmers for tomatoes by one penny per pound, which in turn could increase the rate pay for field laborers. This boycott, which was endorsed by more than 50 high schools and 300 college campuses, including Loyola University New Orleans, succeeded in cutting contracts or preventing new contracts with Taco Bell. In March 2005, Taco Bell signed a historic agreement to “work with CIW to improve working and pay conditions for farmworkers in the Florida tomato fields."</p>
<p>A year later, the New Orleans Province co-filed with other shareholders a resolution with the McDonald’s Corporation calling for the company to address wages and working conditions for farmworkers who pick most of the tomatoes served in McDonald's restaurants in the U.S. As a result of this resolution and many other public actions, McDonald's agreed to meet the CIW's demand that the company pay an additional penny per pound for the Florida tomatoes it purchased. </p>
<p>In the subsequent years the CIW has continued their campaign to pressure farmers and retail food companies to ensure humane wages and working conditions for farmworkers, primarily through their Fair Food Program, a human rights project that has been designed and enforced by the workers themselves. A Fair Food Standards Council has been established to provide third-party monitoring of both buyers and growers. Some of the buyers participating in the Fair Food Program are familiar – and big – names, including: Walmart, Trader Joe’s, Subway, Burger King, Whole Foods, Sodexo, Aramark, and of course Taco Bell and McDonald’s. The Fair Food Program has been called “the best workplace-monitoring program” in the US in the New York Times, and “one of the great human rights success stories of our day” in the Washington Post. </p>
<p><a href="https://t.e2ma.net/webview/rk0ok/0c07c0906e49820d6aaf1c1b6203bd3b">MORE>></a></p>
Date
Letter to the Editor
News Intro Text
DA embraces ideals of ‘throwaway culture’
News Item Content
<p>Recently, Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro denounced a resolution from the New Orleans City Council seeking information on how his office makes decisions on transferring young offenders from the juvenile justice system to the adult justice system.</p>
<p>However, the City Council has good reason for their concerns. Since Mr. Cannizzaro took office in 2009, the proportion of youthful offenders tried as adults in Orleans Parish has increased dramatically.</p>
<p>Although his office refuses to release detailed statistics on this issue, the Southern Poverty Law Center reports that between 2011 and 2014, more than 80 percent of youths who could have been adjudicated in the juvenile justice system were transferred to the adult system, a rate of transfer much higher than any other Louisiana parish. The DA’s record on youth transfers is troubling for two main reasons.</p>
<p>First of all, his practice of treating an increasing proportion of youths as adults likely is making our community less safe. Considerable research has shown that young people who are kept in the juvenile justice system, rather than transferred to adult court, are less likely to commit subsequent crimes.</p>
<p>The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, conducting studies that controlled for both type of crime and the offender’s background, found that keeping a child in the juvenile justice system decreases recidivism by 34 percent.</p>
<p>Another reason why the DA’s transfer policy is so problematic is the message it sends to the rest of our community, especially to our young people, that our most troubled and traumatized youths are not worth saving.</p>
<p>Pope Francis has frequently denounced a “throwaway culture” that ruthlessly discards human beings not considered useful in a modern society where everything and everyone is considering disposable.</p>
<p>By channeling so many of our troubled youth into the adult criminal justice system, the message has become: “They’re not worth saving. They are disposable.” Because life is sacred and every human being is endowed with an inalienable dignity, society can only benefit from the rehabilitation of those convicted of crimes.</p>
<p>Youthful offenders, many who themselves have been traumatized by violence and abuse, have a much greater chance at rehabilitation in the juvenile justice system.</p>
<p>When determining the fate of young offenders, decision makers at all levels of our criminal justice system would be wise to consider the words of Pope Francis: “We must never allow the throwaway culture to enter our hearts, because we are all brothers and sister. No one is disposable.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Fred Kammer, SJ, JD</p>
<p>director, Jesuit Social Research Institute, Loyola University New Orleans</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.theneworleansadvocate.com/opinion/15289160-148/letters-da-embraces-ideals-of-throwaway-culture">MORE>></a></p>
<p>However, the City Council has good reason for their concerns. Since Mr. Cannizzaro took office in 2009, the proportion of youthful offenders tried as adults in Orleans Parish has increased dramatically.</p>
<p>Although his office refuses to release detailed statistics on this issue, the Southern Poverty Law Center reports that between 2011 and 2014, more than 80 percent of youths who could have been adjudicated in the juvenile justice system were transferred to the adult system, a rate of transfer much higher than any other Louisiana parish. The DA’s record on youth transfers is troubling for two main reasons.</p>
<p>First of all, his practice of treating an increasing proportion of youths as adults likely is making our community less safe. Considerable research has shown that young people who are kept in the juvenile justice system, rather than transferred to adult court, are less likely to commit subsequent crimes.</p>
<p>The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, conducting studies that controlled for both type of crime and the offender’s background, found that keeping a child in the juvenile justice system decreases recidivism by 34 percent.</p>
<p>Another reason why the DA’s transfer policy is so problematic is the message it sends to the rest of our community, especially to our young people, that our most troubled and traumatized youths are not worth saving.</p>
<p>Pope Francis has frequently denounced a “throwaway culture” that ruthlessly discards human beings not considered useful in a modern society where everything and everyone is considering disposable.</p>
<p>By channeling so many of our troubled youth into the adult criminal justice system, the message has become: “They’re not worth saving. They are disposable.” Because life is sacred and every human being is endowed with an inalienable dignity, society can only benefit from the rehabilitation of those convicted of crimes.</p>
<p>Youthful offenders, many who themselves have been traumatized by violence and abuse, have a much greater chance at rehabilitation in the juvenile justice system.</p>
<p>When determining the fate of young offenders, decision makers at all levels of our criminal justice system would be wise to consider the words of Pope Francis: “We must never allow the throwaway culture to enter our hearts, because we are all brothers and sister. No one is disposable.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Fred Kammer, SJ, JD</p>
<p>director, Jesuit Social Research Institute, Loyola University New Orleans</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.theneworleansadvocate.com/opinion/15289160-148/letters-da-embraces-ideals-of-throwaway-culture">MORE>></a></p>
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