Marc Morial: State of Black America requires investing in programs that create jobs

ONLY ON THE BLOG Answering today’s five OFF-SET questions is Marc Morial, since May of 2003, the 8th President and CEO of the National Urban League,  the nation's largest and oldest civil rights organization.

Morial been recognized by the Non-Profit Times as one of America's top 50 non-profit executives and has been named by Ebony Magazine as one of the 100 "Most Influential Blacks in America." (More bio below.)

Thursday, (3-31-11) the National Urban League releases a new report: “The State of Black America: Jobs Rebuild America / Putting Urban America Back to Work.” The report includes contributions from noted economists, public figures—including First lady Michelle Obama (on creating healthier school environments)– scholars, policy experts and journalists.

Within today’s report is a 12-point plan to rescue those most profoundly affected by the ongoing economic emergency and to create new jobs. Ideas include restoring the Summer Youth Jobs Program, creating 100 Urban Jobs Academies, creating Green Empowerment Zones and expanding small business lending.  How will these and other programs be funded at a time when states are trying to cut millions from their budgets and Congress is trying to cut billions in federal spending?

Congress, states and cities have to prioritize their spending, and we have to invest in programs that create jobs, not recklessly kill jobs. One can argue that there's no money for everything you're against and there's money for everything you're for. The key is to prioritize.

These ideas will help more Americans become taxpayers, and I think in that way, many of these ideas will pay for themselves.

The National Urban League, in the report, is calling for a “nuanced and comprehensive approach to unemployment and economics that places education at the strategic and functional heart of reform.” Again, you are doing this at a time when states are making deep cuts in public education budgets. What kind of approach are you talking about that is also affordable in the current climate?

Again, we have to prioritize, and spending on education is an investment in the future. But just as an example, the current tax code contains a trillion dollars in tax loopholes. This unfair, Swiss cheese-style tax code is costing revenue and not creating jobs. We could lower rates for everyone if we eliminated loopholes and made the tax code more fair.

Donna Brazile, the CNN political contributor and Democratic strategist, has written an essay in the report on the political lessons to be learned from the Obama presidency and the 2010 mid-term elections. In your point of view, what kind of political power do African-Americans now have?

African Americans have growing political power, particularly at the state and local level. The number of state and local elected officials continues to increase.

Translating those electoral victories into public policy impact remains the most difficult challenge. More and more, for African Americans coalition building will be important – with Latinos, Asians and like-minded whites.

Coalition politics, which has been the political formula for success in American municipal elections, will be the most important element for political success in the next generation.

The report also contains the 2011 Equality Index of Black America, which, among other things, measures comparisons between Black and white Americans in such areas as economics, social justice, health, education and civic engagement. Generally speaking, what does this year’s Index show?

Basically, it shows stagnation, and the signs of the impact of the Great Recession  - loss of jobs, loss of homeownership, lack of access to affordable health care, and related matters.

If you could send one message to Black voters and Black parents today, what would that be?

To Black parents: There is no greater priority than raising and educating your children in the best way that you can, and to do so requires sacrifice.

To Black voters: Wake up. You must vote and be civically engaged or others will call the shots.

(More bio:) Prior to joining National Urban League, Morial served two four-year terms (1994-2002) as Mayor of New Orleans, maintaining a 70% approval rating. According to his NUL biography, “During his tenure, crime fell by 60%; a corrupt police department was reformed; and $400 million was appropriated for city infrastructure improvements, including the construction of 15,000 new homes, 200 miles of streets, a new sports arena and the expansion of the convention center. He also brought the NBA's Hornets basketball team to New Orleans and was president of the U. S. Conference of Mayors.”

Before becoming mayor, Morial served as a Louisiana State Senator for two years. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania, a law degree from the Georgetown University Law Center and honorary doctorate degrees from Xavier University and the University of South Carolina Upstate.