BTW News Briefs

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Minority Buying Power Growing Faster Than White American's

Due to a surge in population, rising levels of education, and heightened entrepreneurial activity, minorities' buying power is growing faster than white Americans', according to a new study by the University of Georgia, as reported by the Chicago Tribune. The study is based on U.S. government data from 1990 through May and shows that minorities from all of the country's major ethnic groups made significant gains during the 1990s. These advancements are expected to continue at least through 2008, the study predicted.

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A Latte Tax for Seattle Residents?

In local elections in Seattle on September 16, voters will decide whether or not to approve a 10¢ tax on lattes and other espresso-based drinks to fund daycare for low-income children. The proposal, known as Initiative 77 and formally called the Early Learning and Care Campaign, has run into heavy opposition not only from customers, but also from the restaurant lobby. Supporters, which include the Economic Opportunity Institute (which sponsored the proposal) and Seattle Education Association, say the tax will bring $7 million annually and argue that customers who purchase beverages that range from $2.50 to $5 can afford the extra dime. Opponents of Initiative 77, which include Starbucks and the Greater Seattle Chamber of commerce, say it will bring $1.5 million to child-care centers, unfairly singles out one product for taxation, and burdens small businesses.

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PEN Center USA Announces 2003 Literary Awards Winners

On August 6 PEN Center USA announced the winners and finalists of its 2003 Literary Awards honoring outstanding works published or produced in 2002 by writers living in the western United States. Los Angeles Times Deputy Op-Ed Editor Susan Brenneman served as chair of judges. Winners will be honored at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel on October 20.

Among the winners were: Lydia Millet (My Happy Life, Henry Holt) for Fiction; Daniel Ellsberg (Secrets: A Memoir of Vietnam and the Pentagon Papers, Viking) for Creative Nonfiction; Timothy Ferris (Seeing in the Dark: How Backyard Stargazers Are Probing Deep Space and Guarding Earth From Interplanetary Peril, S&S) for Research Nonfiction; Donald Revell (Arcady, Wesleyan University Press) for Poetry; and Ron Koertge (Stoner & Spaz, Candlewick Press) for Children's Literature.