#NNPA BlackPress

How Towing Disproportionately Affects Working-Class Drivers

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Towing laws in Texas are among the most aggressive in the nation. Unhooking fees — literal moments after your car is hooked by a tow truck — can cost as much as $125. This is the maximum allowable private party, light duty, non-consent towing fee in Dallas. However, other cities in the metroplex are allowed to charge up to $250. With this, fees for the first day can come close to $300 when you include daily storage rate.
The post How Towing Disproportionately Affects Working-Class Drivers first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 years ago

April 23, 2024

admin

By Sam Judy | Dallas Weekly Magazine

Dallas has a reputation for having one of the most aggressive towing markets in the country, and poor and working-class communities in the city are inordinately affected by fees. Much like bail for residents serving jail time, stacking impound costs leaves more privileged Dallasites comparably less affected than those unable to pay. As almost half of the metroplex’s labor force is forced to commute to jobs over thirty minutes away for reliable work, impound lots hold more than vehicles hostage when drivers lack the funds to ensure their release.

As the working class of Texas is subjected to greater economic hardship through methods such as sales tax, lower wages, and rising property taxes due to gentrification, tows have always affected poorer drivers more drastically. In the last year, California has ruled ‘Poverty tows,’ or tows performed purely for unpaid parking tickets without a warrant, unconstitutional.

Less privileged residents are subject to substantial hardship compared to folks in the middle and upper classes. This applies to poverty and private property tows, especially when the latter is performed illegally.

Dallas is the 5th most hostile towing market in the country, one spot behind fellow Texan city Houston.

“I’m taking public transit because my car is sitting in a lot somewhere after [an apartment] complex towed it,” says Travis, a Dallas resident taking the Blue Line DART train. “I don’t even know how much my fees are. I don’t know if I’m getting it back, but I already lost my last job because I was out of work too much from calling out to get it back.”

Travis lives near Morrell Station in Cedar Crest. While access to the train has helped him reliably travel to his new job as a custodian, he’s all but given up on getting his sedan back from the impound. “The fees go up every day with these tow companies. And I don’t even know how much I owe now, but it’s gotta be over seven hundred dollars. I got bills to pay, I owe Dallas Water Utilities money too. I gotta get groceries, too. Sometimes you gotta make decisions about, ‘What’s more important, drinking water, staying clean or your car? Food or your car?’ That car wasn’t worth much already, so I might just leave it.”

Fines as a penalty have been long criticized for being anti-poor, with detractors arguing that laws only punishable with a fine are virtually legal for the rich, essentially allowing them to break laws with minimal ramifications compared to their lower-income counterparts. Towing, however, compounds financial hardship for residents of cities and metropolitan areas that have infrastructures that cater more to transportation by car. Texas, overall, has the largest network of highways in the country, with highways taking up over 314,000 miles of public roads.

Despite Dallas-Area Rapid Transit releasing a new route map & schedule last year, residents still cite long wait times and unexpected delays, especially in more economically disadvantaged areas of the city.

Towing policies in Dallas additionally employ ‘creative’ billing methods to maximize consumer charges and fees, as found by a survey conducted by the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA).

Towing laws in Texas are among the most aggressive in the nation. Unhooking fees — literal moments after your car is hooked by a tow truck — can cost as much as $125. This is the maximum allowable private party, light duty, and non-consent towing fee in Dallas. However, other cities in the metroplex can charge up to $250. With this, fees for the first day can come close to $300 when you include daily storage rates.

Rates increase by up to $45 per day. If a week passes, a driver will have to pay up to $500 if their car is towed in the metroplex.

Although disputing your tow as illegal with a justice of the peace could be done within 14 days, – and if you could prove that the tow driver knew your car was legally parked, you could be entitled to three times your charges back to you, plus $1000 – this only offers solutions to residents who could afford the release of the car and the capability to pursue compensation legally.

As both public and private tows unfairly affect poorer residents, the factor is distinct in how this highlights the stark contrast between the experiences of working-class and upper-class residents of Dallas. While residents like Travis and many others already have suffered setbacks due to tows both related to unpaid parking tickets and private disputes with business or property owners, their lower income leaves them at risk of losing their means of transportation.

Comparatively, an average Dallas-area software engineer making over $100,000 would pay less than a tenth of their weekly income to cover a towing cost. In contrast, a typical low-wage worker would pay over a third.

The post How Towing Disproportionately Affects Working-Class Drivers first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

admin

Posts by admin

Up Next

Blind Spots in Code Compliance Leave Complex Residents Vulnerable to Poorer Living Standards

Don't Miss

From the Farm to Emeril’s Kitchen: Farmer Jones Delivers the Best Collards and Produce

admin

Click to comment

#NNPA BlackPress

Poll Shows Support for Policies That Help Families Afford Child Care

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — New national polling shows persistent voter concern about the affordability and availability of child care for working parents, alongside broad support across key demographic groups for federal child care policies that help families afford care.

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2026

Oakland Post

By First Five Years Fund

New national polling shows persistent voter concern about the affordability and availability of child care for working parents, alongside broad support across key demographic groups for federal child care policies that help families afford care.

The national survey was conducted by UpOne Insight on behalf of the First Five Years Fund from January 13–18, 2026.

Key findings include:

• Parents need help: 80% of voters say the ability of working parents to find and afford child care is either in a state of crisis or a major problem.

• This is an affordability issue: 82% believe federal child care funding will help lower costs for working families — including 69% of Republicans, 84% of Independents, and 94% of Democrats.

• And there continues to be strong support (62%) for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), a federal program that makes it possible for hundreds of thousands of families to afford safe, quality care for their children while parents work or go to school, including a majority of Republicans, 63% of Independents and 72% of Democrats.

• Support for funding child care programs remains strong: 75% believe child care funding should be increased or kept at current levels — including 75% of Republicans, 85% of Independents, and 97% of Democrats.

• 74% say funding for child care is an important and good use of tax dollars, including a majority of Republicans, three-quarters of Independents, and nine in ten Democrats.

FFYF Executive Director Sarah Rittling said, “Voters across the country are sending a clear message: federal child care and early learning programs work. These investments help parents stay in the workforce, strengthen families, and support healthy child development. They have also long had strong bipartisan support in Congress. At a time when affordability is top of mind for families, continued federal funding is essential to ensure child care remains accessible and within reach.”

First Five Years Fund works to protect, prioritize, and build bipartisan support for quality child care and early learning programs at the federal level. Reliable, affordable, and high-quality early learning and child care can be transformative, not only enhancing a child’s prospects for a brighter future but also bolstering working parents and fostering economic stability nationwide.

We work with Congress and the Administration to identify federal solutions that work for families with young children, as well as states and communities. We work with policymakers to identify ways to increase access to affordable, high-quality child care and early learning programs for children. And we collaborate with advocacy groups to help align best practices with the best possible policies. http://www.ffyf.org

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

#NNPA BlackPress

Trump’s MAGA Allies are Creating Executive Order Plan to Steal the 2026 Midterms

NNPA NEWSWIRE — The document that could lead to an executive order proposes using the claim that China interfered with the 2020 elections as grounds to “declare a national emergency.” The move would be an unprecedented step that would grant Trump new authority over the voting systems in the U.S.

Published

4 days ago

February 27, 2026

Oakland Post

By Lauren Victoria Burke, NNPA Newswire Correspondent

A group of MAGA pro-Trump activists, who say they are working in coordination with the White House, are circulating a 17-page draft executive order that would claim without evidence that China interfered with the 2020 presidential election. Donald Trump lost the 2020 presidential to President Joe Biden by over 7 million votes. Since Trump lost to Biden in 2020, he has repeatedly claimed that the election was “stolen” without evidence. The report of a group of “Trump allies” preparing an executive order to give Trump power over elections was first reported by The Washington Post.

The lies around the right-wing campaign that pushed falsehoods that the 2020 election was stolen was trafficked through right-wing media, particularly Fox News. Fox News was then sued for defamation for the claims by Dominion Voting Systems. Fox lost the case and had to settle for the largest defamation amount on record of $787.5 million in April 2023.

The document that could lead to an executive order proposes using the claim that China interfered with the 2020 elections as grounds to “declare a national emergency.” The move would be an unprecedented step that would grant Trump new authority over the voting systems in the U.S.

The story in The Washington Post arrives as Trump increasingly signals that he may take actions that would alter the result of the 2026 midterms. The Republicans are widely expected to lose as their approval ratings plummet as a result of a failing economy under Trump. Over 50 members of Congress have announced they will retire this year and not return in 2027.

The Trump Department of Justice, which now has a large image of Trump on the side of it, “sued five new states Thursday [Feb. 26, 2026] demanding access to their unredacted voter rolls — escalating a campaign that has been rejected by multiple federal courts and faces resistance from Republican-led states as well,” according to Democracy Docket, a group that works to protect voting rights.

Trump claimed back in late 2020, the last year of his first term, that he had the authority to issue an executive order related to mail-in voting for the 2020 elections — which he would then lose. But the Constitution states that control of elections lies with the states. As the GOP works to place hurdles in front of voting, Democrats worked to make voting easier.

In March 2021, President Biden signed an executive order calling on federal agencies to expand voting access as part of the Biden Administration’s effort “to promote and defend the right to vote for all Americans who are legally entitled to participate in elections.”

Trump’s focus is clearly on altering the November 2026 midterm elections. Trump’s polling numbers and the elections and special elections that have taken place around the U.S. over the last year clearly indicate that Republicans are about to be hit by a blue wave of Democratic victories.

Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent investigative journalist and the founder of Black Virginia News. She is a political analyst who appears on #RolandMartinUnfiltered and hosts the show LAUREN LIVE on YouTube @LaurenVictoriaBurke. She can be contacted at LBurke007@gmail.com and on twitter at @LVBurke

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

#NNPA BlackPress

PRESS ROOM: NBA Hall of Fame Nominee Terry Cummings Joins 100 Black Men of DeKalb County to Launch Victory & Values Initiative

NNPA NEWSWIRE — NBA Hall of Fame nominee and Basketball Legend Terry Cummings was administered the official member’s oath and ceremonially pinned during a special induction ceremony held on Friday, February 20th.

Published

4 days ago

February 27, 2026

admin

Cummings becomes an honorary member, joining other role model sports stars

NBA Hall of Fame nominee and Basketball Legend Terry Cummings has officially become an honorary member of the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County, marking a powerful new chapter for the 100 Black Men and youth development across the region.

Cummings was administered the official member’s oath and ceremonially pinned during a special induction ceremony held on Friday, February 20th. The moment signified more than membership — it marked the launch of the organization’s transformative new platform, the Victory & Values Initiative.

The Victory & Values Initiative is a groundbreaking youth development program designed to empower elementary and middle school students through a dynamic blend of sports, mentorship, and STEM exposure. The initiative focuses on building health, discipline, character, leadership, and access to opportunity — creating pathways for long-term academic and personal success.

“This is about more than sports,” said Cummings during the ceremony. “It’s about using the platform of athletics to teach life lessons, create access, and build the next generation of leaders.”

The induction ceremony also featured notable guests including NASCAR’s newest Star Driver, Lavar Scott and NASCAR Director of Athletic Performance, Phil Horton, who joined Cummings for a powerful Victory & Values Town Hall discussion. The Town Hall was moderated by renowned Sports Emcee John Hollins and focused on leadership, resilience, discipline, and the importance of mentorship in shaping young lives.

A “Day at NASCAR” for 75+ Youth

Cummings wasted no time getting to work. On his first full day as an honorary member, he joined his new brothers of the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County to host a “Day at NASCAR,” escorting more than 75 youth to a once-in-a-lifetime experience at EchoPark Motor Speedway (formerly Atlanta Motor Speedway).

The youth participants received behind-the-scenes access including: an exclusive tour of Pit Row, access to the Garage Area and exploration of the interactive Fan Zone.

The experience culminated with a surprise meet-and-greet and Q&A session with NASCAR Superstar Bubba Wallace, who shared insights on perseverance, preparation, and breaking barriers in professional sports.

The day served as a living example of the ‘Victory & Values’ Initiative in action — exposing youth to new industries, expanding their vision for the future, and connecting them directly with high- level mentors and role models.

Building Leaders Through Access and Mentorship

The 100 Black Men of DeKalb County – a chapter of the largest, national mentoring organization in the county – continues to expand its footprint with programs focused on academic excellence, economic empowerment, leadership development, and health & wellness.

The launch of ‘Victory & Values’ represents a strategic expansion of the organization’s impact

intentionally integrating athletics and STEM to engage youth at an early age while reinforcing core principles such as integrity, accountability, teamwork, and perseverance.

“Our mission has always been to mentor the next generation,” said Vaughn Irons, President-Elect of the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County. “With Terry Cummings joining the brotherhood, along with partners in NASCAR and professional sports, we are creating unprecedented access and exposure for our youth. Victory & Values is about turning inspiration into structured opportunity.”

By connecting elementary and middle school students to professional athletes, executives, STEM professionals, and community leaders, the initiative aims to:

Increase youth exposure to careers in sports business, engineering, and performance science
Strengthen mentorship pipelines
Promote physical wellness and mental resilience
Build character-driven leadership at an early age

Open Invitation to Youth and Families

All youth are invited to participate in the Victory & Values Initiative, along with the other countless, impactful programs offered by the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County.

Parents and guardians seeking mentorship, leadership development, academic enrichment, and transformative exposure opportunities for their children are encouraged to connect with the organization.

As NBA Legend Terry Cummings’ induction demonstrates, Victory & Values is more than a program — it is a movement designed to build champions in life, not just in sports.

For more information about the Victory & Values Initiative or to enroll a student, contact: 100 Black Men of DeKalb County at Phone at 404.241.1338, info@100bmod.org or Tee Foxx at 404.791.6525,