EASTON, PA — Pennsylvania lawmakers examined Tuesday how the state’s growing Latino population is expanding the workforce and entrepreneurship while persistent gaps in income, homeownership and education create pressure for policy changes.
The Pennsylvania Legislative Latino Caucus and House Majority Policy Committee held the hearing during the Pennsylvania Latino Convention in Easton, gathering testimony from education, social-service, business and community leaders.
Testifiers described Latino workers as an increasingly important component of Pennsylvania’s labor force while identifying educational outcomes for children as an area requiring greater attention.
Among the recommendations presented to lawmakers was expanding the number of bilingual teachers, teaching staff and school psychologists as Pennsylvania schools become more diverse.
“We are here to listen and learn what is working and what isn’t working, but more importantly, we are here to better understand what state lawmakers can do about it,” Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, chairwoman of the Pennsylvania Legislative Latino Caucus, stated.
Economic disparities were another focus. Testifiers identified Pennsylvania’s Latino population as its youngest demographic and pointed to growth in entrepreneurship, while also reporting that Latinos have the lowest median household income among racial and ethnic groups in the state.
Participants described wages as failing to keep pace with rising living costs, contributing to increased food insecurity among workers and families. They also identified a Latino homeownership rate below the statewide average and unequal access to credit as barriers to building household wealth.
Rep. Nikki Rivera of Lancaster County framed the testimony as evidence of a gap between the economic contributions of Latino residents and the services available to their families.
“Pennsylvania has reaped incredible benefits from the Latino community, but we must do a better job serving our community and residents,” Rivera stated.
House Majority Policy Committee Chairman Ryan Bizzarro of Erie County similarly pointed to the relationship between workforce growth and access to economic opportunity.
“Pennsylvania’s Latino community is helping power our economy, strengthen our workforce and build stronger communities,” Bizzarro stated. “Our responsibility is to make sure every Latino family has a fair shot to succeed and the opportunity to thrive.”
The hearing included testimony from Pennsylvania Latino Convention Chairman Norman Bristol Colon; Pennsylvania Association of Hispanic School Administrators President Evelyn Nunez; CHP Schools Chief of Personnel and External Relations Yemele Ayala; Reading School Board member Shaykayarira DelRio-González; Salvation Army Divisional Social Services Director Heather LaRocca; Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley Executive Director Raymond Santiago; APM Philadelphia Chief Operating Officer Manuel Delgado; Casa San Jose Legal Services Coordinator Jorge Palmas; Capeles Agency CEO Angela Capeles; and La Promesa Foundation founder and President Jesus Torres.
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