Dallas Area Interfaith

Standing For Families Agenda

DAI's Agenda is developed from the issues surfaced at hundreds of house meetings held by member institutions with their own members and members of the surrounding community.  As common concerns and sufficent energy and commitment are identified, actionable issues that will build the organization are developed and become part of DAI's ongoing agenda.  Many agenda items require the staying power of institutions due to the necessarily long term nature of their solutions.

IMMIGRATION

DAI believes the human dignity and human rights of all migrants should be respected.  Regardless of their legal status, migrants, like all persons, possess inherent human dignity that should be respected.   As such, they must not be subjected to punitive laws and harsh treatment from enforcement officers in the receiving or transit countries nor to exploitation by employers.  We must seek policies to safeguard the rights and inherent dignity of all migrants, particularly the undocumented, including their rights as workers.

EDUCATION

DAI stands for schools where our children and grandchildren are educated for prosperity, not poverty.  We cannot create the highly skilled workforce and civic leadership that our state needs without increased investment in public education.  DAI calls for an increase in the state’s share of education funding, a broad based business tax, a reduction in property tax that still provides meaningful discretion for local districts, and a broadening of the sales tax base but not an increase in the rate.    

PUBLIC SAFETY

DAI stands for neighborhoods where families live in safety, not in fear of their lives.  We want Dallas to be the safest city in the country, not the least safe.  We are calling on the city of Dallas to create a plan for meeting a ratio of 3 officers per 1,000 residents.  This includes budgeting for 200 new officers per year, creating a package of incentives and benefits to attract more qualified officer recruits, and resolving the outstanding salary rate lawsuits.  DAI is also calling for the police department to move to a neighborhood-based community policing approach that emphasizes true neighborhood police beats, and building sustained relationships with neighborhood residents.  

SOUTHERN SECTOR DEVELOPMENT

DAI stands for a strong and vital Southern Sector.  In order to develop more livable communities, the city must invest in the human capital of its residents, strengthen neighborhood infrastructure, and involve residents in shaping development plans.  We are calling for more money for job training and continuing education programs.  We insisted that the city’s current bond program include substantial funding for Southern Sector neighborhood infrastructure improvements.  And we are calling for city staff to work closely with area residents as the city designs and implements development projects.   

HEALTH CARE

DAI stands for quality health care that is accessible for all people regardless of income level.  DAI is calling for greater access to affordable health care for the indigent in Collin County, including establishing a dedicated source of revenues for this purpose.   DAI also calls on the city and county to advance efforts to promote cleaner air for our families.  Many emergency room visits, and long term problems could be averted by adopting cleaner air standards and policies.