Word from the Publisher

Clean Energy Tax Credits for Consumers

The Internal Revenue Service released frequently asked questions (FAQs) about energy efficient home improvements and residential clean energy property credits in Fact Sheet FS-2022-40PDF. The inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) amended the credits for energy efficient home improvements and residential energy property. These FAQs provide details on the IRA's changes to these tax credits, information on eligible expenditures, and provides examples of how the credit limitations work. Here are some Frequently Asked Questions: Q: Who is eligible for tax credits? A: Homeowners, including renters for certain expenditures, who purchase energy and other efficient appliances and products. Q: What do consumers do to get the credit(s)? A: Fill out IRS Form 5695, following IRS instructions, and include it when filing your tax return. Include any relevant product receipts. Q: Are there limits to what consumers can claim? A: Consumers can claim the same or varying credits year after year with new products purchased, but some credits have an annual limit. See the table above. Q: How do consumers find qualified professionals to conduct home energy audits? A: Visit /energysave/professional-homeenergy-assessments. Q: What products are eligible for tax credits? Home clean electricity products Solar panels for electricity from a provider in your area. Home back-up power battery storage with capacity of 3 kWh or greater. Heating, cooling, and water heating Electric or natural gas heat pumps; electric or natural gas heat pump water heaters; central air conditioners; natural gas or propane or oil water heaters; natural gas or propane or oil furnaces or hot water boilers that meet or exceed the specific efficiency tiers established by the Consortium for Energy Efficiency. Eligible products here: https://cee1. org/node/729. Solar water heating products that are certified for performance by the Solar Rating Certification Corporation or comparable entity endorsed by the state government in which product is installed. See: https://solar-rating. org. Other energy efficiency upgrades Oil furnaces or hot water boilers if they meet or exceed 2021 Energy Star efficiency criteria and are rated by the manufacturer for use with fuel blends at least 20% of the volume of which consists of an eligible fuel. See: https:// www.energystar.gov/products. Panelboards, sub-panelboards, branch circuits, or feeders that are installed according to National Electrical Code and have load capacity of 200 amps or more. Insulation materials and systems that meet International Energy Conservation Code standards.

See: /eere/buildings/building-energycodes-program. Exterior windows that meet Energy Star’s Most Efficient requirements. See: https:// www.energystar.gov/products/most_efficient. Q: What if I have questions about products, standards, codes or other eligibility referenced above? A: Ask a trusted contractor, plumber, or electrician. Q: Where do I get even more detailed information? A: More information on the energy efficient home improvement credit and residential clean energy property credit is available for tax professionals, building contractors, and others at IRS releases frequently asked questions about energy efficient home improvements and residential clean energy property credits | Internal Revenue Service. See the updated credits at www.irs.gov/newsroom/ irs-releases-frequently-asked-questionsabout-energy-efficient-home-improvementsand-residential-clean-energy-property-credits.

Important Numbers

Police (Non-Emergency) - (806) 763-5333 Fire (Non-Emergency) - (806) 765-5757 Emergencies call 9-1-1 Program/Service info, call 2-1-1 City services, call 3-1-1 Suicide & Crisis Line 9-8-8 City - (806)775-3000. www.ci.lubbock.tx.us County - (806) 775-1000 www.co.lubbock.tx.us LISD - (806) 766-1000 www.lubbockisd.org Latino Lubbock Magazine (806)792-1212

news@latinolubbock.net www.latinolubbock.net

Community & Event Brieflies

FRESH CUT CHRISTMAS TREE RECY-

CLING the Solid Waste Services department will accept fresh cut Christmas trees for recycling. Trees will be accepted at four permanent drop-off locations. Residents are asked to remove all decorations, the metal stand, and any plastic before placing the fresh-cut Christmas tree in the roll-off located outside the gates at the 208 Municipal Drive, 1631 84th Street, 7308 Milwaukee, and 4307 Adrian Street drop-off locations. The landfill will mulch the fresh cut trees. After January 14th and throughout the month of January, the roll-offs will be located inside the gates and residents can drop-off fresh-cut Christmas trees from 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Monday - Saturday. FACILITIES CLOSED, January 1, 2023 - LISD, Lubbock County, City of Lubbock facilities are closed for the Christmas holiday. Enjoy! BREAKFAST FOR SENIORS Join us for breakfast, lively conversation and games. $2/person for Ages: 50+ at Trejo Senior Center, Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at 9 am – 10 am 3200 Amherst St

SPAY/NEUTER VOUCHER

GIVEAWAY (Dogs Only) LAS and Live Oak South are teaming up to provide citizens with spay/neuter services, on January 8, 2023 at 3 pm – 5 pm, Safety City at Clapp Park.

NEW NEIGHBORS CLUB OF

LUBBOCK will hold its monthly January Meeting/Luncheon at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 13 at the Lubbock Women's Club, 2020 Broadway. Featured speaker will be Dr. David Fraze. David is Lubbock Christian University Youth & Family Ministry / Motivational Speaker. Lunch will be served after the program and the cost is $20. Reservations are required by RSVPing to Roni Allen (text) 281-507-4083 or okieroni1@ gmail.com. SABOR LATINO Saturday, February 4, 2023 at 6 pm – 11 pm, at McKenzieMerket Alumni Center. Sponsorships available. Contact: contact@lubbocklatinochamber.com

FREE LEGAL AID FOR THOSE

WHO QUALIFY Legal Aid of Northwest Texas provides free legal services to eligible low-income residents in such areas as public assistance denials, divorce and child support, evictions, foreclosures, domestic violence and consumer fraud. Call 763-4557 or (800) 933-4557 or visitlanwt.org for more info.

2-1-1 NON-EMERGENCY QUES-

TIONS 2-1-1 is a free help line answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, which will link you to health and community services.

DO YOU HAVE NEWS? Submit your business news online at www.latinolubbock.net/ have-a-story. Also submit to our online calendar atwww.latinolubbock.net/events

UnidosUS Statement in Response to Omnibus Appropriations Package

Congress unveiled the 2023 omnibus appropriations package today, which sets federal spending for Fiscal Year 2023. The bill includes policies and increased funding for programs that benefit Latinos and all Americans, especially related to health care and coverage, which are critical as we continue to weather the pandemic and other health threats. “We applaud the health coverage protections in this package. Thankfully, Medicaid is strengthened, on an ongoing basis, by improving the continuity of coverage and care for children and post-partum women. The legislation also extends for five years important temporary protections for U.S. citizens who live in Puerto Rico. And while the bill authorizes Medicaid programs to begin terminating families’ eligibility on April 1, 2023, it gives the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) powerful new tools to hold states accountable to protect families’ health coverage during the next few years. Some funding priorities that specifically would benefit Latino families and that UnidosUS has championed also received modest but meaningful increases including funds to support English learners in public schools and low-income college students seeking to earn a degree, and programs that promote naturalization among long-term immigrants. We express our sincere appreciation to Rep. Barbara Lee and Sen. Alex Padilla for ensuring funding to UC Berkeley for a first-of-its-kind pipeline to support scholars conducting communitybased research to address systemic inequities faced by Latinos. The Electoral Reform Act is also included in the package, which would reduce the likelihood of another attack on the Capitol to overturn election results. “At the same time, the following critical Latino priorities failed to be included and represent a missed opportunity to lock in progress made by Latinos during the pandemic: Fully protect Medicaid coverage for 15 million people, the majority of whom are Latino and other people of color, who are in danger of losing health care when Medicaid’s continuous coverage requirements end on April 1st. While CMS will have the ability to oversee and intervene in state actions, state Medicaid programs will still be able to impose needless administrative burdens that terminate health care for eligible families. Make any of the 2021 Child Tax Credit (CTC) expansions permanent, reversing the progress made in reducing child poverty and eliminating critical economic support for more than 19 million children and their families. Resolve the precarious status of Dreamers and other long-term undocumented immigrants through targeted immigration reforms, as well as make important investments to fortify the border. Despite widespread support from voters who wanted to see immediate action after the election, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senator Cornyn blocked bipartisan efforts by Senators Tillis and Sinema to provide a legislative solution. “We welcome the critical health and other investments included in this omnibus package. And to the millions impacted by what was left out, we reiterate our strong commitment to continue to fight for these unaddressed Latino priorities in 2023 before the new Congress, the Biden Administration, and in the states. These missing investments not only affect the country’s 62 million Latinos, they have implications for our nation’s future prosperity. Despite the omnibus’s harmful shortcomings, it deserves legislators’ support and we urge Congress to pass it and send it to the President for his signature.”

Carta Abierta

Sonia M. Pérez

Sonia M. Pérez is Acting CEO + COO of UnidosUS, the nation’s largest Latino civil rights organization.

¿Que Piensas?

We know our readers have a lot to say! Mail letters to Latino Lubbock “Letters to the Editor,” Box 6473 Lubbock, TX 79493, o r email them to news@latinolubbock.net. Please include your name, address, and contact phone number. Mailed letters must be signed. Please note that unsigned letters will not be published. Letters are limited to 100 words, depending on space availability, some longer will be included. Writers are limited to one letter per month. Submissions may be edited for clarity or space consideration. Letters are not acknowledged. Opinions expressed in

letters and Op-Ed articles do not necessarily represent the views of Latino Lubbock Magazine.

BEWARE OF PHONE SCAMS

Please let your readers know that there are several phone scammers calling. My grandmother was one of their victims. Let family and friends know not to give personal info or email information. It seems like this happened last year as well so I hope that people will be aware, and not fall prey to these losers. Thanks, Georgia Martinez

NEW YEAR POEM

Can you please run the New Year's poem that you used to run, by a man named Armando?I've asked before. Thanks again! We continue to love Latino Lubbock and enjoy it even more now that we are back in Lubbock. Happy 2023, keep up the great work helping the community, and may God continue to bless Latino Lubbock Magazine and staff! R. Ramos

GET YOUR COVID 19 & FLU VACCINES

I can't believe COVID is on the rise again. I know it will be around forever, but once again please remind your readers to get their vaccines. For those who haven't gotten them - theirs a first, second, and third! I've seen some folks get it more than once because they haven't gotten vaccines. For those who have gotten them, the case is mild. Also, the flu is on the rise and so is RSV. I share this because having lost a couple of family members, and then getting COVID and being so sick I though I was gonna die, I now know better. I encourage people to get it. I shared last year that I almost died myself - I thank God I'm alive to share my message. Happy New Year in 2023! Rick Lopez

Politics/ política

Lubbock City of

Latinos Make History Pursuing

Legislative Offices in Elections 2022

The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund released its analysis assessing Latino gains in state legislatures across the nation following Election 2022. A full analysis of Latinos who will serve in state senates and state lower houses (including a breakdown by state and political party) is available here. “Latino candidates made history in Election 2022 demonstrating that they can successfully run for state legislative seats across the country, winning races in areas with and without Latino population centers,” said NALEO Educational Fund CEO Arturo Vargas. With Latino candidates successfully running for state legislative seats across the country, there is no such thing as a Latino or non-Latino district anymore. Latinos once again are bringing the expertise and skills needed to secure support from a broad coalition of voters.” As candidates, Latino leaders sought positions in state legislative offices across the nation in Election 2022. As a result, a record number of Latinos will serve in state legislatures with a total of 376, an increase from 344 prior to Election 2022. In addition, there will be 103 Latinos serving in state senates and 273 in state lower houses. Key Findings from NALEO Educational Fund’s post-election analysis include: • Latinos in State Senates PostElection 2022: ▪ Class: The number of Latinos serving in state senates is set to increase by four following Election 2022. 103 Latinos* will serve in the upper chambers of state legislatures. ▪ Party Affiliation: Following Election 2022, 84 Democrats will serve in state senates, up from 83. Republicans in the upper chambers will also increase, growing from 16 to 19. ▪ Gender: Latinos and Latinas made modest gains in state senates in Election 2022, with the number of Latinas serving increasing from 49 to 51 and male Latinos from 50 to 52 after Election 2022. The updated gains reflect a nearly complete gender balance among Latinos in the state senates. • Latinos in Lower State Houses Post-Election 2022: ▪ Class: The number of Latinos serving in state lower houses after Election 2022 will increase by 28, growing to 273*. ▪ Party Affiliation: Following Election 2022, 228 Democrats and 45 Republicans will serve in the lower house of state legislatures, an increase of 14 for each political party. ▪ Gender: The growth in Latinas serving in state lower houses helped fuel the overall increase of Latinos in these legislative chambers after Election 2022. The number of Latinas serving in state lower houses will increase by 24, from 105 to 129, which accounts for 86 percent of the total increase. In addition, one state legislative newcomer identifies as gender non-conforming, and one identifies as non-binary. A full overview of Latinos who will serve in state legislatures nationwide is available here. The analysis includes a breakdown of Latino representation, gains and losses in state senates, and state lower houses by state and party.

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RSVP TO WWW.LAAMEMBERS.COM/EVENTS/STATE-OF-THE-CITY23/REGISTER

Supreme Court Keeps Immigration Limits in Place Indefinitely

The Supreme Court is keeping pandemic-era limits on asylum in place for now, dashing hopes of migrants who have been fleeing violence and inequality in Latin America and elsewhere to reach the United States. The ruling preserves a major Trump-era policy that was scheduled to expire under a judge’s order on Dec. 21. The case will be argued in February and a stay imposed last week by Chief Justice John Roberts will remain in place until the justices make a decision. The limits, often known as Title 42 in reference to a 1944 public health law, were put in place under then-President Donald Trump at the beginning of the pandemic. Officials have expelled asylum-seekers inside the United States 2.5 million times on grounds of preventing the spread of COVID-19. Immigration advocates sued to end the policy, saying it goes against American and international obligations to people fleeing to the U.S. to escape persecution. They’ve also argued that the policy is outdated as coronavirus treatments improve. The Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision comes as thousands of migrants have gathered on the Mexican side of the border, filling shelters and worrying advocates who are scrambling to figure out how to care for them. The Supreme Court’s decision said that the court will review the issue of whether the states have the right to intervene in the legal fight over Title 42. Both the federal government and immigration advocates have argued that the states waited too long to intervene and — even if they hadn’t waited so long — that they don’t have sufficient standing to intervene. The Biden administration still has considerable leeway to enforce Title 42 as aggressively or as leniently as it chooses. He is scheduled to meet with Mexican President Andres Manuel López Obrador in Mexico City to discuss Mexico's use of Title 42 to quickly expel migrants.