Awards Time

Dallas Public Library makes top 10 list for its program helping workers

Dallas Public Library was one of 10 libraries to be recognized.

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The Dallas Public Library won a top award for innovation for its GED Testing and Workforce Development Project, which helps Dallas adults earn their GED.

The award came from the Urban Libraries Council, the membership association of North America's public libraries. Their panel of experts selected Dallas from a pool of over 250 submissions. The library was one of 10 libraries to win an award, representing the 21st century library's role as a leader and pioneer for change.

Having a GED allows residents to hold better jobs and earn high wages. In some parts of Dallas, nearly 50 percent of adults over the age of 25 have less than a high school education.

Dallas Public Library's GED Testing and Workforce Development Project was created to address the needs of the nearly 28 percent of Dallas County adults with less than a high-school education. Dallas Public Library opened the first GED testing center in a public library in Texas. They've since become the leader among Dallas-area certified testing centers.

In 2016, the library administered the most exams (870) with the most graduates (131) and highest pass rate (79 percent). The library also offers scholarships for qualifying learners.

"By offering GED testing in our Central Library and full scholarships in partnership with Atmos Energy, we have lowered barriers for adults seeking to change their lives, says Jo Giudice, Director of Libraries. "The testing center allows the library to walk with adults through their GED journey and beyond to pursuing better jobs or higher education."

This program consistently surpasses qualitative and quantitative goals, ultimately serving as a catalyst for change among test-takers by introducing them to DPL’s vast array of resources and helping them to secure jobs and pursue secondary education.

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Weed News

Texas AG Ken Paxton sues Dallas over decriminalization of marijuana

Photo courtesy of US Fish & Wildlife

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The City of Dallas has been sued by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for its efforts to decriminalize marijuana.

According to a release, Paxton has sued the city for adopting a city charter amendment that would decriminalize marijuana-related offenses and prohibit police from enforcing Texas law.

That amendment was Proposition R, or Dallas Freedom Act, which decriminalizes possession of four ounces of marijuana or less. Voters passed the amendment in the November 5 election, with 67 percent voting in favor.

The lawsuit, filed against the Dallas City Council, alleges that Proposition R is unconstitutional and violates Texas drug laws criminalizing any amount of marijuana.

Paxton says that cities can't "pick and choose which state laws to follow." He's proposing a permanent injunction to stop Proposition R from going into effect.

"The City of Dallas has no authority to override Texas drug laws or prohibit the police from enforcing them," says Paxton in a statement. "This is a backdoor attempt to violate the Texas Constitution, and any city that tries to constrain police in this fashion will be met swiftly with a lawsuit by my office.”

Before the recent election, possession of two to four ounces of marijuana could result in a punishment of 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine.

Ground Game Texas, the activist nonprofit that has also helped get marijuana decriminalization on the ballot in elections across Texas, first got the issue on the ballot in July with the necessary 50,000 signatures.

Dallas is not the only city to be sued; Paxton also filed lawsuits against five other cities in Austin, Denton, Elgin, Killeen, and San Marcos in January for their ballots and policies decriminalizing marijuana.

Both Austin and San Marcos had a judge overturn their cases, according to a FOX 4 report.

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