Indiana's Hispanic, Latino affairs director terminated
By Tania E. Lopez
Posted: January 5, 2010

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The state's top agency for Latinos no longer has an executive director.

Pat Sanchez was terminated from heading up the Indiana Commission on Hispanic and Latino Affairs on Monday, the state's director of personnel confirmed today.

It's not clear why the former Indianapolis Public School teacher was let go. She was the agency's third executive director since 2003. Sanchez was hired after former executive director Amy Mendoza resigned in December 2007. Sanchez could not be reached for comment.

The commission is charged with reviewing programs, conducting research and keeping track of legislation that affects the state's Latino community. The agency has also acted as a voice for or against bills that affect undocumented immigrants. The majority of those undocumented in the state come from Latin American countries.

The firing comes at a time when Indiana faces numerous budget and job cuts as revenues have waned. The commission's budget for the year is about $106,000. Originally, it was about $124,000, said Jane Jankowski, Gov. Mitch Daniel's press secretary.

The commission was created in 2000 by then-Gov. Frank O'Bannon but was not funded by the General Assembly until 2003.

When contacted Monday, the commission's chairman was unaware of the firing.

"That's news to me," Herb Hernandez said.

He said the board will discuss seeking a replacement at its next scheduled meeting Jan. 28.

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