Speaking Out Against Discrimination 1995-98

8/14/2019 Speaking Out Against Discrimination 1995-98

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August 15, 1995

Francisco J. Gonzalez620 N. 5th StreetMankato, Minnesota 56001Dear Mr. Gonzalez:I am writing to respond to your letter, dated July 28, 1995, in which you expressed concernover the response of the LeSeur County Human Services Office to a racially derogatorydocument which was posted within those offices. Based on the information you provided, itappears that the County's Human Services Department conducted an inspection to make surethat this document, or similar materials, were not being displayed, and issued a warning to staffagainst having any material of this nature in the worksite. Your concern appears to be that theCounty did not respond to your suggestions for additional responses such as investigation ofservices delivery practices and training on cultural diversity.The Minnesota Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination by public services, such as counties,based on protected class status including race and national origin. Complaints of discriminatorytreatment can be filed with the Department by an individual, and in some situations acommissioner's charge may be filed. In the situation you have described, the county appearsto have taken action to make sure the posting was removed and warn employees about similarviolations. The fact that the county has not taken other remedial action would not, by itself,constitute a violation of the Minnesota Human Rights Act. If you are aware of situations inwhich it appears that persons seeking services from the County have been denied service orwere treated differently for discriminatory reasons, I would suggest that you provide me withthat information and/or advise those individuals to contact the Department about filing a charge.Discriminatory treatment could include being subjected to racially derogatory comments bycounty employees, or exposure to racially derogatory material, such as the document at issuein your c0111plaint. Please be advised that the Minnesota Human Rights Act provides a one yearstatute of limitations for filing discrimination complaints.If you would like any further information, please feel free to contact me at the number shownbelow.Sincerely,

JL- j~' 1--Lucy Jo~SOn-GaineS, SupervisorIntake Unit(612) 296-7518LJG/kjj

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER500 Bremer Tower, 7th Place and Minnesota Street, St. Paul, Minnesota 55101 (612) 296-5663 or (800) 657-3704


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State of MinnesotaDepartment of Human Services

Office for Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action &- Civil RightsHwnan Services Building

444 Lafayette RoadSt. Paul, Minnesota 55155-3812February 13, 1996Francisco J. Gonzalez620 N. 5th StreetMankato, MN 56001Dear Mr. Gonzalez:I am writing to update you about further developments related to the Department's inquiries intothe May, 1995 incident involving the posting of the racist poem at the LeSueur CountyDepartment of Human Services. Recently, I spoke with Mr. Marion to follow up on his plans toimplement cultural diversity training in his agency and he informed me that in the next four to sixweeks, he will be involved in two activities that will begin to address issues of cultural diversityand awareness in the LeSueur County community.First, Mr. Marion is waiting to hear from the LeSueur Board of County Commissioners about theformation of a multi-cultural task force to advise the Board on multi-cultural issues and concerns.The idea for the taskforce was presented to the Board by local community-based organizationswith the desire to work with the Board on these matters. The Board will officially address theformation of the taskforce in the very near future.Second, Mr. Marion plans to arrange for a guest speaker to address his staff on issues related tocultural sensitivity on the job. Mr. Marion is interested in asking you to serve as that speaker. Hebelieves that you can offer his staff an authentic perspective because of your dual status as amember of the HispaniclLatino community and as a financial worker in a neighboring county.In my discussions with Mr. Marion, I encouraged him to contact you to create on-goingcommunication. Likewise, I want to continue to encourage you to remain in contact with him forthe same reason. I still believe that the two of you have the same goal which is to take actionnecessary to prevent repeat incidents, such as the posting of the poem, and to improve culturalsensitivity and understanding among LeSueur County staff As you are aware, in the end, it willtake your combined efforts to reach this goal.

Sincerely, () ,~lLlL dCLmD~JOANN DA S:q:.VA.Civil Rights Coordinator cc: James Marion, Director, LeSueur County Department of Human ServicesAN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER


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Don OstromState RepresentativeDistrict 24BNicollet, LeSueurand Blue Earth Counties

January 24, 1996

Mr. Francisco J. Gonzalez620 North 5th streetMankato MN 56001Dear Mr. Gonzalez:

MinnesotaHouse ofRepresentatives

Thank you for your e-mail message expressing your thoughts about thepresent day political climate.I am also extremely concerned about any legislation that attempts todiscriminate against ethnic minorities and immigrants. I intend to, asalways, pay close attention to such measures if they do develop. I canalso assure you that both education and employment support programs areof particular concern to me, and I closely follow any such measures inthese areas.Thank you again for contacting me.concerns.Sincerely,

Don Ostromstate RepresentativeDO:BF

405 North 4th Street, St. Peter, Minnesota 56082State Office Bui ld ing, 100 Constitut ion Ave, St. Paul , Minnesota 55155-1298

House Fax (612) 296-1563 TDD 1-800-657-3550

I appreciate you voicing your

(507) 931-5486(612) 296-7065

E-Mail [email protected]~.


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Len BiernatState RepresentativeDistrict 59AN.E. Minneapolis

MinnesotaHouse ofRepresentativesPhil Carruthers, Speaker

VICE CHAIR - JUDICIARYCOMMITTEES: CIVIL AND FAMILY LAW DIVISION - JUDICIARY; EDUCATION; K - 12 FINANCE DIVISION - EDUCATION

April 22, 1997

FrC\lJcisc.QJ:Jmn:{I1~ __620 North 5th StreetMankato, MN 56001

Dear Mr. Gonzalez:Thank you for your thoughtful letter about protecting the needs of legal immigrants and migrantworkers in Minnesota. The House welfare bill has passed the House and is moving into a conferencecommittee with the Senate. I believe that our bill does protect legal immigrants in state fundingprograms. As a matter of fact, there was some concern that legal immigrants do better than someMinnesota residents in several programs. The reduced funding for legal immigrants has been one of mymajor concerns about the bill. Unless the Federal Government changes its position, the elderly anddisabled legal immigrants are going to face some major reductions in assistance.The proposed residency requirements received strong bipartisan support because of the federal cutbacksand the need for state money to provide equity. The impact of these requirements on migrant farmworkers was not discussed in the House. I will point out your concern to House members who serve onthe Welfare conference committee. I hope that your concern can be addressed.I appreciated receiving your thoughtful letter and I look forward to meeting you in your new capacity asa Hamline Law School student. You seem to be a student who will be making a major contribution toHamline.

Sincer:z, .;2-./I~-J2246 Lincoln Street NE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55418State Office Bui ld ing, 100 Constitut ion Ave., St. Paul, Minnesota 55155-1298

House Fax (612) 296-0574 TDD (612) 296-9896

(612) 788-4923(612) 296-4219

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JOHN C. HOTTINGERSenator 24th District120 State Capitol75 Constitution AvenueSt. Paul, MN 55155-1606Phone: (612) 296-6153E-Mail: [email protected]

May 1, 1997Francisco GonzalezFirst Floor - Government Center41o South Fifth StreetP.O. Box 3526Mankato, MN 56002-3526Dear Mr. Gonzalez,

SenateState of Minnesota

Enclosed for your review is a copy of the summary of the welfare reform bill that was signedby the Governor.Included in the bill is a an amendment that I offered which exempts migrant workers from theresidency requirements for MFIP and GA. I would appreciate any suggestions regardingimplementation of this provision.Thank you for the information you have sent throughout this difficult process and yourdedication to immigrants and migrant workers in Blue Earth County.Sincerely,

~JOHN C. HOTTINGERState Senator - District 24JH:jsencl.

COMMITTEES: Chair, Health and Family Security Taxes and Tax Laws Local and MetropolitanGovernment Commerce Property Taxes and Local Government Budget Division.Health and Family Security Budget Division Majority Whip


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July 1, 1997


Mr. Francisco J. Gonzalez620 North Fifth StreetMankato, MN 56001

Dear ~ hWY\~ U) JThank you for your letter expressing appreciation for the process used to legislatemandatory reform to Minnesota's welfare system. Thank you, also, for outlining andsuggesting solutions to issues of concern to legal immigrants.I have forwarded a copy of your letter to Senator Becky Lourey. Senator Lourey willchair the Health and Family Security Welfare Oversight Subcommittee that will meetthis interim to discuss many of the issues your letter addresses. I am sure she will findyour suggestions very helpful.Again, thank you for sharing your ideas. I look forward to working with you in thefuture.Sincerely,

JOHN HOTTINGERState Senator - District 24JH:amf

COMMITTEES: Chair, Health and Family Security Taxes and Tax Laws Local and MetropolitanGovernment Commerce Property Taxes and Local Government Budget Division Health and Family Security Budget Division Majority Whip


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July 1, 1997


TO: Senator Becky Lourey, ChairHealth and Family Security Welfare Reform Oversight Subcommittee

FROM: Senator John Hottinger, Chair .Health and Family Security Committee

RE: Attached letter

Attached please find a letter from Mr. Francisco Gonzalez. I think you will find Mr.Gonzalez' suggestions helpful as you proceed with discussions in the Welfare ReformOversight Subcommittee.JH:amf

Attachment~ Mr. Francisco Gonzalez

COMMITTEES: Chair, Health and Family Security Taxes and Tax Laws Local and MetropolitanGovernment Commerce Property Taxes and Local Government Budget DivisionHealth and Family Security Budget Division Majority Whip


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Ruth JohnsonState RepresentativeDistrict 24BNicollet, LeSueurand Blue Earth Counties


COMMITTEES: VICE-CHAIR, HIGHER EDUCATION FINANCE DIVISION-EDUCATION;EDUCATION; HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES; ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

July 25, 1997

Francisco GonzalezBlue Earth County Human ServicesPO Box 3526::~~hank you for contacting me expressing your views on the issue of allowing legal immigrants tocontinue to receive welfare. I appreciate knowing your views and share them wholeheartedly.It'should be noted that Congress ,discontinued Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and FoodStamp eligibjlity for legal it;l1II!igrants'Yho,are blind, aged or disabled. President Clinton, in,his ,State of the Union Address; recommended changing the welfare reform law to allow this group- ,


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July 25, 1997Page 2

I would like to mention that if the House had not take such a strong position to provide publicassistance to legal immigrants there would have been fewer benefits for them. The Senate'sversion of the welfare reform bill had scant provisions for legal immigrants. As a result of theHouse's position, many legal immigrants will receive some income to offset the loss of federalfunds.I supported legislation that allows legal immigrants to receive MFIP, MA or GA. I did thisbecause the actions of the federal government are deplorable. They dishonor America for theyignore the valuable contributions immigrants have made to the richness and diversity of ourcountry. Therefore, I could not turn may back on their needs, particularly those of southeastAsian immigrants so affected by the war. -*.Again, thanks for sharing your views on welfare reform and its impact on legal immigrants.Please continue to express your opinions on issues of concern. Your advice helps me makeimportant decisions that affect all Minnesotans.


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Ruth JohnsonState RepresentativeDistrict 24BNicollet, LeSueurand Blue Earth Counties


COMMITTEES: VICE-CHAIR, HIGHER EDUCATION FINANCE DIVISION-EDUCATION;EDUCATION; HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES; ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

August 6, 1997

Mr. Francisco Gonzalez620 5th StNMankato, MN 56001Dear Francisco:Thank you for your very thoughtful and insightful comments regarding welfare reform. Yoursuggestions are much appreciated. Let me respond to your comments in the same order in which youmentioned them.Fits( the balanced budget'd~al just struck be~een the Republican Cong~ess ahdPresident Cliritbn' .restores Supplemental Seciliity Income (SSI) to elderly citizens as well as those who 'ar~ dis'abled. Itdoes not, however, restore Food Stamp cuts.To that end, the Legislature enacted three programs that can help legal non-citizens who lost theirFood Stamps. One is called the Minnesota Grown Program. It provides vouchers to people topurchase Minnesota Grown products. The program received $1 million. It is funded through June30,1998.The second program provides $38 a month to legal non-citizen families who lost their cash assistance(MFIP, AFDC or FGA). The third program is open to anyone who lost both the SSI and FoodStamps. Those folks would receive $87 a month in supplemental assistance. These two additionalprograms are funded through June 30, 1998.Money has been set aside for citizenship classes. It does not include paying for the test. The classesare intended to help non-citizens prepare for the exams. English as a second language is also a strongcomponent of the program. Your suggestion that the state pay for the test has merit. I would behappy to discuss this idea with you further.It has al~aysbeen the policy to 'cdhht the'income'ofhon:'citizens whendeterininihg h6useholdeligibility for Food Stamps:" The reasoning is that the citizen is responsible for the health' a~d w~lfareof the non-citizen. Unfortunately, this does punish such a household twice. To change this policyrequires federal action.

417 North Seventh St. , St. Peter, Minnesota 56082State Office Building, 100 Constitut ion Ave., St. Paul, Minnesota 55155-1298

House Fax (612) 296-1563 TOO 1-800-657-3550 E-Mai l [email protected](507) 931-2075(612) 296-7065

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August 6, 1997Page 2

You had requested that a number of policies currently in practice with regard to AFDC be continuedunder MFIP. I'm pleased to say that they will. Sworn affidavits of earned income and work historycan be offered as proofwhen determining eligibility for cash grant programs. Homesteads are stillexempt. Travel expenses are exempt as long as the employer paid for the transportation. If theemployee received cash, that will be counted as income. Food Stamps will still be available on an"expedited" basis.As far as hiring bilingual Employment and Training staff is concerned, Ramsey County andRochester have bilingual personnel. Other locals with high concentrations of non-English speakingapplicants usually are able to find interpreters to help in Employment and Training Programs.Expansion of this concept to Mankato, Willmar and Moorhead may help the Hispanic/Latinocommunities in these areas find work that pays a livable wage.It is also state policy NOT to displace workers, whether union or nonunion with "workfare"employees. Most "workfare" jobs are often created in non-profit, community agencies that don'thave the finances to hire a person. Examples of "workfare" employment might be light clerical workand snow shoveling. Less than 100 people in Minnesota participate in "workfare" employment sounskilled workers are not threatened with loss of jobs.Finally, let me address the issue of a "livable wage." I couldn't agree with you more. If employerspaid livable wages, families could become more self-reliant and less dependent on welfare programslike AFDC, Food Stamps and housing assistance.Last year (1996), before I was elected, the Legislature passed a law that required companies receivingstate assistance to pay a "livable wage" for newly created jobs. That the would have amounted to$7.28 an hour in wages and benefits. Unfortunately, that measure was vetoed by Governor Carlson.Instead, the Legislature adopted a provision requiring the recipients of grants from the MinnesotaInvestment Fund pay salaries including benefits equal to 110% of federal poverty guidelines for afamily of four ($17,655 annual income).There was no action taken on "livable wages" this session. Rather, the Legislature attempted toincrease the minimum wage. It was a bill I supported. The Governor vetoed this measure too.Obviously you know which political party believes that working people should earn enough to raisethemselves out of poverty.

Documents

Speaking Out Against Discrimination 1995-98