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Here are some of the issues that ACORN lobbyists raised:

CHIPS RESTORATION

In the last legislative session two years earlier, the legislature had severely limited eligibility for health insurance from Texas children. ACORN demanded that CHIPS funding and methods be restored.

"CONTRACT FOR DEED" REFORMTexas landlords "sell" houses to people, but keep the deed. The law protects the landlord no matter what they do, and theyusually get the house back before the "contract" is settled, then they "flip" it again. ACORN is collecting instances of this.

FOR SCHOOL FUNDING AND NO VOUCHERS The issue of school funding became particularly important on April 5 because there were hearings on proposals for school vouchers. Big money had been used to bring voucher advocates to the Capitol. One anti-voucher woman explained that federal tax money for promoting vouchers had been included in President Bush's "No Child Left Behind" legislation, and it was being spent to lobby the legislature.

UTILITY BILL RELIEF Low and moderate-income families need help with their utility bills

LAND ASSEMBLAGE LEGISLATION

Cities have vacant properties that are tax delinquent. ACORN supports state legislation that will allow the Houston and other cities to assemble such property for affordable housing development.

END ABUSIVE PRACTICES IN THE TAX PREPARATION INDUSTRY

Refund anticipation loans {RALs) are short-term loans secured by the recipient's income tax refund. Tax payers are charged extraordinarily high interest rates to get their own tax dollars back from the IRS just a week or so faster than they otherwise would.

Several State Representatives took time from their schedules to address the entire ACORN group. First was the newly-elected Houstonian, Hubert Vo. He was effusive in praising ACORN's help in the elections just past, and said, "You can be sure that I am with you!"

 

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