HAPI is advancing ideas and advocating for issues important to Hispanic Americans:
The nation’s largest minority.
Pro-Business, Entrepreneurship, Access to Capital
HAPI supports a pro-growth, pro- business and pro-Hispanic business agenda. A sound
economy and access to capital are base requirements needed for Hispanic businesses
and entrepreneurs at all levels to succeed. HAPI recognizes the vital role of these
issues as a conduit to achieving the American Dream.
Trade
HAPI supports Free and Fair trade and believes it fosters economic benefits to U.S.
businesses and U.S. consumers. Trade agreements with Hispanic nations especially
within the Western Hemisphere create unique new business opportunities for Hispanic
owned businesses. These firms can create new markets and leverage advantages of
culture and language. HAPI was a key advocate and major player supporting and voicing
the Pro-Business and Hispanic Pro- CAFTA positions.
Education
HAPI supports empowering parents with the authority to make decisions related to
the allocation of tax dollars for the education of their child and placing their
children in the school best suited for the needs of the family. Education policies
that favor Hispanic family learning initiatives are also encouraged. Family learning
topics such as financial education create knowledge vital to economic and social
progress in the mainstream. Through enhanced economic and social assimilation, enhanced
self sufficiency is fostered.
Health Care – The Uninsured- Health Awareness/Prevention
HAPI supports the development of a new policy agenda to address the significant
number of uninsured Hispanic families who are in need of basic, affordable medical
coverage. We also support efforts to curtail the taxpayer dollars being spent to
support the current “emergency room” approach to health care. Many health issues
being addressed through expensive emergency room care can and should be addressed
through less expensive early prevention and wellness.
Immigration
HAPI supports strong national security measures without jeopardizing the U.S. economy.
HAPI advocates for a balance that will accommodate both critical interests. A vital
component of legislation should include a guest worker program that is realistic
to deploy. Read HAPI's Immigration Policy Paper here.
Full Financial Participation-Financial Education
HAPI believes that full financial participation creates full economic participation;
and full economic participation fosters full assimilation. Fringe banking services
and predatory financial products continue to enjoy high penetration with Hispanic
consumers. Regulatory monitoring and diligence is a key strategy to help curtail
consumer dependence upon these products and services that help create a foster a
cycle of non-economic assimilation and self sufficiency for working families.
Media, Technology, Information Platforms
HAPI believes that the enhanced use of media, technology and information applications
must be included in a 21st Century Hispanic agenda. Major educational, informational
and assimilation advances can be achieved through media and technology platforms.
HAPI supports regulatory environments that ensure consumer access and affordability
to these platforms and supports products and services that best serve the needs
of the community.
Homes and Communities
HAPI supports ownership society tenets vital for asset creation, and ensuring access
to affordable housing. Research validates the connection between housing stability
as a cornerstone to family stability.
Family Issues
HAPI’s policy interests and advocacy includes topics important to the well being
of Hispanic working families: Working Mothers & the Workforce, Child Development,
Parental Involvement, Access to Educational Opportunities, Family Values, Health,
Diet, and Obesity.
Consumer Affairs Advocacy
HAPI feels that the monitoring of policy and legislation that protects and advocates
for the vulnerable consumers is a key. The Hispanic population includes a large
sub-segment of vulnerable consumers. In addition to developing enhanced outreach
and education strategies, HAP has created relationships at the State and National
level with institutions such as the Federal Trade Commission and state's Attorney
General Offices. Additionally, HAPI has effectively engaged against anti-trust /
anti-competitive business practices especially within predatory Money Service Fringe
Banking sectors.
Puerto Rico
HAPI supports giving the citizens of the commonwealth of Puerto Rico the ability
to hold and election to decide if they wish to join the union of the United States
as the fifty-first state.
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