
5-28-21: Flat tax poll, Farmworkers, Phoenix City Council
Season 2021 Episode 109 | 27mVideo has Closed Captions
Flat tax poll results, a documentary on farmworkers, Phoenix City Council update.
The Phoenix City Council expanded a community assistance program that helps with mental health. We talked with Mayor Kate Gallego about it. We look at what a flat tax would mean for Arizona. A new documentary looks at the role of farm workers during the pandemic and their lack of access to Personal Protection Equipment.
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Arizona Horizon is a local public television program presented by Arizona PBS

5-28-21: Flat tax poll, Farmworkers, Phoenix City Council
Season 2021 Episode 109 | 27mVideo has Closed Captions
The Phoenix City Council expanded a community assistance program that helps with mental health. We talked with Mayor Kate Gallego about it. We look at what a flat tax would mean for Arizona. A new documentary looks at the role of farm workers during the pandemic and their lack of access to Personal Protection Equipment.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship[♪ THEME MUSIC ♪] APPROXIMATE >>> COMING UP IN THE NEXT HOUR OF LOCAL NEWS ON ARIZONA PBS, ARIZONA HORIZON, A NEW SURVEY LOOKS AT WHAT ARIZONANS THINK OF A FLAT TAX PROPOSAL MAKING IT'S WAY THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE.
ON CRONKITE NEWS, WHY GRADUATES FROM ONE LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL CHOSE TO LEARN ON-LINE, WELL BEFORE THE PANDEMIC HIT, AND ON BREAK IT DOWN, LEADING YOUR LIFE IN A MINDFUL WAY.
THAT'S ALL COMING UP IN THE NEXT HOUR ON ARIZONA PBS.
>>> GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO "ARIZONA HORIZON."
I'M TED SIMONS.
THE STATE LEGISLATURE IS EFFECTIVELY SHUTTING DOWN FOR A FEW DAYS, WITH LAWMAKERS NOT SCHEDULED TO RETURN UNTIL JUNE 10TH.
THE MOVE COMES AFTER THE SENATE SHELLED AN ATTEMPT TO VOTE ON 11 BILLS.
THE HOUSE IS ALREADY OUT.
THERE MAY NOT BE ENOUGH VOTES TO APPROVAL THE BUDGET AND ITS CONTROVERSIAL FLAT TAX PROPOSAL.
AND THEY VOTED DOWN A BILL THAT WOULD FINE TEACHERS UP TO $5,000 FOR INTRODUCING CONTROVERSIAL TOPICS IN THEIR CLASSROOMS.
THE SENATE'S REVIEW OF MARICOPA COUNTY SENATE AND PRESIDENT AUDIT IS STILL UNDERWAY.
THEY ARE CONFIDENT THE COUNT WILL BE COMPLETED BY JUNE 30TH.
ON CAPITOL HILL, SENATE MAJORITY LEADER CHUCK SCHUMER TODAY MENTIONED WHAT WAS GOING ON AT THE COLISEUM, DURING A SPEECH ABOUT CREATING A BIPARTISAN COMMISSION.
>> REPUBLICAN STATE LEGISLATURES ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE TRIPPING OVER THEMSELVES TO RESTRICT ACCESS TO THE BALLOT BOX.
ARIZONA REPUBLICANS IN QUOTE, UNQUOTE, AN ELECTION AUDIT, HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING FOR TRACES OF BAMBOO FIBERS IN THE BALLOTS.
THAT IS HOW INSANE THIS HAS BECOME.
HUNTING FOR BAMBOO IN BALLOTS.
>> AS FOR THE JANUARY 6TH COMMISSION, THE WIFE AND GIRLFRIEND OF BRIAN SICKNICK WHO LOST HIS LIFE DEFENDING THE CAPITOL.
>> DOES THIS ANGER YOU THAT THERE ARE SENATORS WHO DOES NOT SUPPORT THIS COMMISSION, AND WHAT EMOTIONS DO YOU FEEL WHEN YOU ARE CONFRONTED WITH THAT?
>> THIS IS WHY I'M HERE TODAY.
AND I COULDN'T STAY QUIET ANYMORE.
>> I THINK IT IS VERY DISTURBING THAT ANYONE WOULD NOT WANT TO SUPPORT THIS.
WHY WOULD THEY NOT WANT TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF SUCH HORRIFIC VIOLENCE.
THEY ARE HERE WITH THEIR FAMILIES AND COMFORTABLE BECAUSE OF THE ACTIONS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT DAY, SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY WOULD RESIST GETTING TO THE BOTTOM OF WHAT HAPPENED THAT DAY.
>> AT THIS POINT, ONLY THREE REPUBLICAN SENATORS SUPPORT THE COMMISSION.
>>> A NEW SURVEY LOOKED AT HOW ARIZONANS FEEL ABOUT THE PROPOSED FLAT TAX MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE, AND K LOOSE AT REACTION TO THE SENATE'S REVIEW AND RECOUNT OF THE BALLOT.
PAUL BENTZ IS THE SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF RESEARCH AND STRATEGY AT HIGHGROUND, WHICH CONDUCTED THE SURVEY.
PAUL, THANKS FOR BEING HERE AND TALKING WITH US.
THIS POLL IS ABSOLUTELY FASCINATING.
WE'RE GOING TO START WITH WHAT CAME OUT TODAY REGARDING THE REVIEW, RECOUNT, WHAT HAVE YOU THAT IS GOING ON AT THOUGH COLISEUM RIGHT NOW.
HOW ARE FOLKS FEELING ABOUT THIS?
>> SURE, WE LOOKED AT HOW PEOPLE FELT ABOUT A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT ITEMS, ONE BEING THIS PROPOSED REVIEW THAT IS HAPPENING AT THE VETERANS' MEMORIAL COLISEUM RIGHT NOW, AND THE FOUND THE MAJORITY OF THE ELECTORATE OPPOSE THE AUDIT.
THE MAJORITY OF THE SUPPORT COMES FROM REPUBLICANS, ABOUT 76% OF REPUBLICANS ARE IN FAVOR OF IT, BUT THE LARGE MAJORITY OF DEMOCRATS, AS WELL AS INDEPENDENT AND UNAFFILIATED VOTERS SEEM TO OPPOSE IT.
>> WAS IT WAS A SURPRISE THERE WAS SO MUCH REPUBLICAN SUPPORT?
>> IT IS NOT A HUGE SURPRISE FOR US.
I DO THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS SURPRISING IS THERE ARE 20% OF REPUBLICANS WHO DON'T BELIEVE IN IT, AND DON'T SUPPORT THE AUDIT, AND I THINK THAT WILL BE ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES THAT REPUBLICANS WILL FACE IN 2022.
>> AND YOU ALSO ASKEDER WOULD YOU BE MORE OR LESS LIKELY TO SUPPORT A CANDIDATE TO SUPPORTS THE AUDIT?
AND IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE ARE MANY WHO WOULD NOT VOTE FOR A CANDIDATE WHO SUPPORTS THE AUDIT.
>> YES 44% OPPOSED IT, SO YOU ARE LOSING ABOUT TEN POINTS OF VOLTERS IF YOU GO THAT ROUTE, SO IT COULD HELP IN THE PRIMARY BUT HURT YOU IN THE GENERAL.
>> AND THE FLAT TAX, WHAT ARE FOLKS THINKING ABOUT THIS?
>> IT IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS -- YOU MAY HAVE SEEN POLLING THAT SHOWS THAT TAX CUTS ARE OVERWHELMINGLY POPULAR IF YOU DON'T PUT ANY CONTEXT AROUND IT.
BUT WHEN YOU PUT CONTEXT AROUND IT, WHAT WE FOUND IS WHEN YOU KNOW IT IS A $1.9 BILLION CUT, VOTERS ARELESS LIKELY TO SUPPORT, AND WHEN YOU CUT POPULAR CITY FUNDS, ABOUT 62% OPPOSING TAX CUTS THAT CUTSS REVENUES IN TOWNS >> AND INVESTING IN EDUCATION WAS CONSIDERED MUCH MORE IMPORTANT THAN A TAX CUT IN YOUR SURVEY.
>> RIGHT, OUR SURVEY SHOWED THAT ONLY ABOUT 2% THINK TAXES THE NUMBER 1 ISSUE, AND WHEN GIVEN THE OPTION OF INVESTING EDUCATION OR CUTTING TAXES, ABOUT 63% OF THE VOTERS WOULD RATHER INVEST THAN CUT TAXES FURTHER.
>> DOESFULLY OF THAT SURPRISE YOU?
>> WE HAVE SEEN FOR QUITE A WHILE THAT PEOPLE STILL THINK THE STATE SUNDAY FUNDED WHEN IT COMES TO EDUCATION, AND LOCAL CITIES AND TOWNS ARE VERY POPULAR, BECAUSE THEY OFFER PUBLIC SAFETY.
SO I'M NOT INCREDIBLY SURPRISED, BUT I THINK IF YOU ARE GOING TO RUN FOR OFFICE IN 2022, YOU HAVE TO TAKE HEAT ON THAT, BECAUSE YOU ARE HEADED IN THINK WRONG DIRECTION, NOT BUILDING THAT COALITION YOU NEED TO WIN NEXT YEAR.
>> AND YET AS YOU MENTIONED EARLIER, IN TERMS OF PRIMARY VOTERS, THESE THINGS ARE PRETTY FAVORABLE, AND YOU GET A PRETTY STRONG BUMP.
IN A LOT OF CASES, YOU HAVE GOT TO DO SOME DANCING, DON'T YOU IF YOU WANT TO SUCCEED IN THE PRIMARY AND THEN SUCCEED IN THE GENERAL.
>> MANY OF OUR LEGISLATURES COME FROM THOSE SORTS OF DISTRICTS, BUT IF YOU ARE GOING TO RUN FOR STATE-WIDE OFFICE, YOU HAVE GOT TO WIN MARICOPA COUNTY.
AND MARICOPA COUNTY IS CHANGING, AND A LOT OF THESE THINGS WE'RE SEEING CANNOT WIN MARICOPA COUNTY.
AND THINGS LIKE THE AUDIT AND THINGS LIKE THIS FLAT TAX TEND TO SEND VOTERS IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.
>> AND QUICKLY BEFORE YOU GO, YOUR THOUGHTS POLITICALLY ABOUT THE IDEA THAT IF THE FLAT TAX PASSES, LET'S SAY IT GOES THROUGH, AND THE GOVERNOR SIGNED IT, IF THERE WAS A REFERENDUM OUT THERE THAT SENT VOTERS TO THE POLLS WHO OPPOSE THIS THING, THAT WOULDN'T BE GOOD FOR THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE, WOULD IT?
>> IT IS SORT OF LIKE APPLYING THE VOUCHER ISSUE THAT OVERALL WAS A FAILURE.
IT IS ONE OF THOSE LINCHPIN THINGS THAT REALLY WOULD DRIVE A NARRATIVE THAT WOULD BE HARD TO GET AWAY FROM.
AND IF THE REFERENDUM WAS ON THE BALLOT, IT WOULD LIKELY FAIL JUST LIKE PROP 305 DID A FEW YEARS AGO.
>> ALL RIGHT.
PAUL BENTZ, HIGHGROUND.
A LOT OF STUFF GOING ON.
>> YES, BUT I WAS STUCK IN TRAFFIC THIS WEEK AND GOT TWO CHIPS IN IN MY WINDSHIELD.
>> GOD IS IN THE HOUSE, AND ALL IS RIGHT WITH THE WORLD.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
>> HAVE A GREAT >>> UP NEXT, PHOENIX MAYOR KATE GALLEGO TALKS ABOUT THE EXPANSION OF A CRITICAL CITY SERVICE.
>>> THE PHOENIX CITY COUNCIL RECENTLY EXPANDED AN EXISTING PROGRAM THAT FIGURES OUT THE BEST WAY TO HANDLE CALLS INVOLVING MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.
WE SPOKE WITH UP NEXT, PHOENIX MAYOR KATE GALLEGO TALKS ABOUT THE EXPANSION OF A CRITICAL CITY SERVICE ABOUT THE NEWLY EXPANDED PROGRAM.
THANKS FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.
WE APPRECIATE THAT.
WE'RE ALSO TALKING ABOUT THE COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
THIS IS NEW, IT SOUNDS LIKE THE BUDGET IS SORT OF THERE FOR IT.
WHAT IS IT?
>> WE HAD OUR FIRST BIG BUDGET VOTE, AND HAS STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE PROGRAM.
IT IS A PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS CLINICIANS AND SOCIAL WORKERS TO RESPOND TO 911 CALLS.
TODAY MANY OF THOSE CALLS WOULD GO TO POLICE OFFICERS, AND THIS WILL ALLOW THEM TO GET BACK TO MORE TRADITIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES.
WE WANT TO HELP PEOPLE GET SERVICES.
GET CONNECTED WITH THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM, OR STRENGTHEN YOUR EXISTING RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR PROVIDERS.
>> YOU MENTIONED AN EXPANSION HERE.
WHAT WAS THE PROGRAM LIKE BEFORE?
WHY THE NEED FOR EXPANSION?
>> WE HAVE AN EXISTING PROGRAM WITHIN OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT.
IT'S STAFFED BY AN AMAZING GROUP OF CITY EMPLOYEES, MANY OF WHOM HAVE ADVANCED SOCIAL WORK DEGREES.
THEY HELP PEOPLE ON SOME OF THEIR WORST DAYS OF THEIR LIVES.
PEOPLE HAVE DESCRIBED TO ME THAT THESE PEOPLE ARE ANGELS.
THIS HAS BEEN A SMALLER GRANT-FUNDED PROGRAM, AND WE'RE MAKING IT PERMANENTING AND GIVING IT A DRAMATIC EXPANSION.
AND TODAY WE HAVE CRISIS RESPONSE VANS, AND WE'LL DOUBLE THOSE, AND PEOPLE CAN HELP NAVIGATE TO SERVICES AND HAVE MORE OF A STABLE FOLLOW-UP TO HELP THEM CONTINUE ON THEIR ROAD OF SUCCESS.
>> AND EXPANSION TO THE TUNE OF WHAT, $50 MILLION?
>> YES.
>> OKAY.
AND WHEN WOULD -- AND AGAIN, THE GOAL IS TO GET PEOPLE WHO CAN HELP THESE FOLKS OUT THERE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE AS OPPOSED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.
WHEN WOULD POLICE, WHEN DO YOU CALL THEM?
>> SO IF SOMEONE IS, FOR EXAMPLE, CONTEMPLATING SUICIDE AND THERE IS A FIREARM, IT WOULD STILL BE IMPORTANT TO HAVE LAW ENFORCEMENT THERE.
WE'LL KEEP INVESTING IN CRISIS TRAINING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AS WELL.
A FRIEND OF MINE HAD CAFFEINE DRINKS FOR THREE DAYS, AND ONE OF HIS LOVED ONES FELT LIKE HE WAS IN CRISIS, AND CALLED 911.
THIS INDIVIDUAL HAD NOT COMMITTED ANY CRIME, BUT HIS FAMILY MEMBERS FELT UNSURE OF WHAT TO DO.
THESE UNITS CAN HELP NAVIGATE TO A SAFE SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME.
>> AND WHO EXACTLY ARE ON THESE TEAMS?
THE >> SO RIGHT NOW, THEY ARE LEAD BY INDIVIDUALS WITH SOCIAL SERVICES BACKGROUNDS.
WE HAVE GOTTEN A STRONG ENDORSE FOR PEOPLE WITH PEER-SUPPORT CREDENTIALS, INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE GONE THROUGH ADDICTION AND BEATEN IT.
>> HOW OFTEN HAVE YOU HEARD THAT THEY GET THESE KINDS OF CALLS.
>> WE HAD A RETIRED FIREFIGHTER CALL IN AND SAY THEY FELT SO MUCH SAFER LEAVING A SEEN IF CRISIS RESPONSE UNITS WERE THERE.
INCREASINGLY OUR CALLS TO 911 HAVE SOME KIND OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COMPONENT.
SO WE'RE MODERNIZING OUR 911 RESPONSE.
>> HOW MUCH COMMUNITY INPUT DID YOU HAVE?
>> WE ARE NOT DONE, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE COMMUNITY MEETINGS, BUT I HAD THE WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO TALK WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE COUNSELORS, HOSPITAL CEO'S, MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS, PEOPLE WHO ADVOCATE FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING ADDICTION.
ASU HAS STEPPED UP AND HELPED PROVIDE CONSULTATION.
WE HAD FAITH LEADERS WEIGH IN AND ADVOCATES FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
AND IT'S A STRONG MESSAGE THAT IT IS AN IMPORTANT STEP WE NEED TO TAKE.
>> AND I REALIZE THIS IS AN EXPANSION OF AN EXISTING PROGRAM.
BUT HAVE OTHER COMMUNITIES DEVELOPED THESE KINDS OF THINGS AND WORKING ON THEM?
>> YES, SO OUR RESEARCH DEPARTMENT AT THE CITY DID AN INTERVIEW WITH TEN DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES AND LOOKED AT A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT MODELS.
ONE MODEL THAT MIGHT BE FAMILIAR FROM DENVER OR EUGENE, OREGON, WHERE WE HAVE PROVIDERS GOING OUT ON THEIR OWN.
I HAD THE CHANCE TO TALK TO MAYORS FROM NEW YORK TO LOS ANGELES ABOUT WHAT THEY WERE DOING.
AND THERE WERE A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT MODELS, BUT WHAT WE HEARD FROM OUR COMMUNITY WAS HAVING CLINICIANS RESPOND ON THEIR OWN WAS VERY VALUABLE.
>> AND I KNOW THE CITY COUNCIL WORKS ON ITS BUDGET DIFFERENTLY THAN THE STATE DOES.
WHERE ARE YOU IN TERMS OF GETTING THIS THING COMPLETELY DONE?
>> WE HAVE A VERY LONG AND TRANSPARENT PROCESS, WHERE WE DO A TRIAL BUDGET, THEN GO OUT TO THE COMMUNITY AND HAVE MEETINGS THROUGHOUT THE -- THE CITY.
THIS YEAR VIRTUAL, AT MULTIPLE DIFFERENT TIMES FOR ABOUT A MONTH, AND THEN COME BACK WITH A FINAL PROPOSED BUDGET, WHICH WE JUST VOTED ON AT THE CITY OF PHOENIX, AND WE WILL HAVE AN ADDITIONAL MEETING, SO THERE IS FULL UNDERSTANDING.
>> AND LAST POINT HERE, WITH THAT IN MIND, THIS EXPANSION WILL BE UP AND OPERATIONAL -- GIVE US A TIMETABLE.
>> SO IT'S AN EXISTING PROGRAM, BUT WE HOPE TO REALLY SCALE IT UP.
WE THINK IT WILL TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE THE FULL SCALE-UP AND WE HAVE COMMITTED TO OUR COMMUNITY THAT WE'LL CONTINUE TO ENGAGE THEM.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE INFORMATION, AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.
THANK YOU.
>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME BACK.
♪♪ >>> A NEW DOCUMENTARY LOOKS AT THE ROLE OF FARM WORKERS DURING THE PANDEMIC, AND THEIR LACK OF ACCESS TO AMONG OTHER THINGS, PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT.
THE DOCUMENTARY IS ENTITLED "ESSENTIAL FARM WORKERS."
>>> DOCTORS AND NURSES ARE ESSENTIAL NURSES, BUT WHAT ARE WE DOING FOR FARM WORKERS?
ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.
ARE WE HONORING THEM FOR PUTTING FOOD ON OUR TABLE DURING THIS TIME?
AND DURING THIS PANDEMIC?
NO.
I SAY SHAME ON US.
>> WHAT WE JUST HEARD FROM DANIEL DANIEL ORTEGA, PRETTY POWERFUL WORDS.
WHAT WAS THE MESSAGE?
AND THIS WAS RIGHT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE VIDEO.
>> THE MESSAGE IS WE TEND TO FORGET THE PEOPLE WHO DO THE WORK IN THE FIELDS.
THE FARM WORKERS.
THEY GO OUT EVERY DAY, DAY IN AND DAY OUT, AND REALLY PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE EVERY DAY FOR US TO BE ABLE TO ENJOY THE FOOD WE HAVE ON OUR TABLES.
YET WE DON'T GIVE THEM THE RESPECT THAT THEY DESERVE BECAUSE OF THE LABOR THAT THEY DO.
AND I THINK THAT WAS THE MESSAGE.
WE NEED TO RESPECT THEM AND EMBRACE THEM, AND GIVE THEM -- THOSE OPPORTUNITIES TO HAVE A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE, BETTER INCOME, AND HAVE THEIR CHILDREN HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO -- TO GO TO SCHOOL AND -- AND -- AND GROW AND PROGRESS.
I THINK THAT'S THE MESSAGE.
>> THE DOCUMENTARY WAS COMMISSIONED BY THE WEST VALLEY FOUNDATION.
BUT WHAT WAS THE PARTICULAR REASON FOR THE FOUNDATION TO COMMISSION THIS DOCUMENTARY?
>> WELL, AS YOU KNOW EVERY YEAR, THEY HAVE A CAESAR CHAVEZ BREAKFAST WHERE THEY HONOR HIS LEGACY AND THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE BUILDING HIS LEGACY, DIVERSITY AND EDUCATION, AND FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT, AND MARTIN AND THE BOARD DECIDED WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT THIS ISSUE OF THE ESSENTIAL FARM WORKERS, BECAUSE THEY ARE SO IMPORTANT IN OUR COMMUNITY.
SO THEY DECIDED TO REACH OUT TO ME TO PRODUCE THIS DOCUMENTARY.
AND THE INFORMATION THAT I RESEARCHED IS POWERFUL.
THERE'S HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF THEM THAT HAVE BEEN INFECTED BY THE CORONAVIRUS -- >> AND AS I UNDERSTAND, ALMOST HALF A MILLION ACTUALLY.
>> YES, ACCORDING TO PURDUE UNIVERSITY, 480,000.
>> WHICH THEY THINK IS A SIGNIFICANT UNDERCOUNT.
>> YES.
AND THEY ARE DOING EVERYTHING THAT MANY AMERICANS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DO, OR WOULDN'T LIKE TO DO THE WORK THEIR PERFORM.
>> SO THE MESSAGE IN THE VIDEO IS THAT FARM WORKERS WERE DEEMED ESSENTIAL, JUST LIKE DOCTORS AND NURSES TREATING THE VERY SICK, BUT THEY WEREN'T TREATED THAT WAY.
>> CORRECT, YEAH.
THE LETTER THAT THEY GOT TO -- DESIGNATING THEM AS ESSENTIAL WORKERS PREVENTED THEM FROM BEING DEPORTED, AND -- BUT THEY DID NOT RECEIVE THE BENEFITS THAT EVERY AMERICAN RECEIVED, THE STIMULUS CHECKS.
U.S. BORN CITIZENS, THE CHILDREN DID NOT RECEIVE THE STIMULUS CHECKS.
BUT FARM WORKERS RECEIVED $13 BILLION, AND YET THESE ESSENTIAL WORKERS DID NOT.
>> SO YOU HAD A NUMBER OF VERY IMPORTANT FIGURES IN THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY IN THE VIDEO, THE FOUR PRINCIPLE ONES WERE DR. ELIZABETH ORTIZ, THE PRESIDENT OF THE DEVELOPMENT FUND, STATE REPRESENTATIVE, AND OF COURSE DANNY ORTEGA, AND WE HAVE ANOTHER CLIP OF HIS THAT I WANT TO PLAY RIGHT NOW, AND THEN GET YOUR COMMENTS.
>> FROM NOW ON, EVERY TIME YOU EAT, THINK ABOUT THOSE WHO FEED YOU, AND MAKE SURE THEY GET TREATED LIKE HUMAN BEINGS, AND HOW ESSENTIAL THAT FOOD IS TO YOU, THE WAY THEY ARE TO YOU.
>> SO THATMENT COMMENT, AND OTHER COMMENTS MADE THROUGHOUT THE DOCK ENTRY.
IT IS MORE THAN A THANK YOU.
THEY ARE SAYING WE OWE THEM, WHICH OF COURSE, WE DO.
BUT IT'S A CALL TO ACTION.
>> WELL, IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE ALL STAND UP AND SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THE FARM WORKERS BECAUSE THEY DO SO MUCH WORK FOR US.
AGAIN, LIKE YOU SAID, FOOD ON OUR TABLE IS BECAUSE OF THEM.
THE FOOD THAT YOU SEE IN THE GROCERY STORES, THE VEGETABLES AND ALL OF THAT, IT IS BECAUSE OF THEM, YET WE DON'T RECOGNIZE THE WORK THAT THEY DO.
TOMMY ESPINOZA SAID IT, IT'S ALMOST AS IF THIS POPULATION -- HE CLASSIFIED IT AS SLAVERY, THE TREATMENT THEY GET.
THEIR WAGES ARE LOW.
THEY LIVE IN CROWDED CONDITIONS.
THEY HAVE NO PLACE TO ISOLATE THEMSELVES LIKE US.
AND THEN THEY TRAVEL IN GROUPS, SO THEY ARE STRUGGLING WITH THIS WHOLE ISSUE, AND YET WE DON'T RECOGNIZE THAT, AND THE GOVERNMENT HAD DIFFICULTY TRYING TO BRING TO THEM THE SERVICES THAT THEY NEEDED.
THEY HAD DIFFICULTY REACHING THEM, PROVIDING THEM THE PROTECTIVE GEAR THAT THEY NEEDED, SO THAT'S THE MESSAGE THAT I THINK DANNY WAS TRYING TO SAY, IS HEY, WE NEED TO PAY ATTENTION AND EMBRACE HIS INDIVIDUALS.
>> JESUS HERNANDEZ THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT YOUR DOCUMENTARY, "ESSENTIAL FARM WORKERS."
♪♪ >>> AND THAT IS IT FOR NOW.
I'M TED SIMONS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.
YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.
♪♪ >>> COMING UP, ON CRONKITE NEWS, SAGUAROS ARE BLOSSOMING, BUT NOT LIKE THEY USUALLY DO, WHY THAT IS A CAUSE FOR CONCERN.
AND ON BREAK IT DOWN, LEADING YOUR LIFE IN A MINDFUL WAY.

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