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City Council Meeting Minutes June 11, 2020 <br />seconded by Council Member Derrick to approve the following letter: <br />Gov. Abbott: <br />The large majority of those who have been hospitalized by COVID-19 are <br />people of color and low-income populations. Public health experts have <br />confirmed that this is mainly because Latinx and people of color are <br />overwhelmingly working on the front lines. Inaction to protect our frontline <br />workers will result in predictable consequences, including loss of life. Our local <br />democracies are trying to take every action allowable under the law to address <br />this reality. Clearly, it is necessary for the state to take action as well. We are <br />calling on you to address the disproportionate impact this virus has on Latinx <br />Texans. <br />We call on you to: <br />1. Expand Medicaid. Texas is the most uninsured state in America. The Latinx <br />community lacks health insurance more than any other major population in <br />Texas. It is disturbing that you continue to refuse these federal health care <br />dollars during the COVID crisis. <br />2. Have the Attorney General drop the lawsuit that is blocking paid sick time <br />policies. Paid sick time would be guaranteed for all workers in Austin, Dallas, <br />and San Antonio if it were not for the state's lawsuit. Paid sick time is more <br />important now, than ever. <br />3. Use the Economic Stabilization Fund (a.k.a. Rainy Day Fund) to provide <br />immediate and continued financial relief to working class families, regardless <br />of immigration status. Doing so will lead to fewer people being forced to return <br />to work if they are vulnerable or at -risk. <br />4. Nullify SB4, the "Show Me Your Papers" law. Because of your law, many <br />immigrants are too afraid to seek critical medical interventions or public <br />assistance for fear of being separated from their families. <br />5. Support Texas municipalities efforts to manage the Covid crisis. There is no <br />"one size fits all" solution,, municipalities should be permitted to enforce CDC <br />guidelines and emergency protocols that will most protect and benefit their <br />unique situations and constituents, which for San Marcos includes a large <br />percentage of Latinx and low income households. We must be supported in <br />our efforts to save lives and prevent further devastation to these communities. <br />City of San Marcos page 5 <br />