Latino political clout in full view at legislative meeting

At the first legislative breakfast held by iOiste? in 2001, just being able to fill an auditorium with Latino activists was considered an accomplishment. There were a handful of legislators at the gathering and activists from across the state with ambitions of building Latino power.

At this year's meeting, held last Wednesday in the Great Hall at the State House, it was evident that their vision is becoming a reality.

State Sen. Dianne Wilkerson bumped up against that reality when she began acknowledging fellow elected representatives present and started to go through the growing list of Latino officials.

"Oh, how things have changed," Wilkerson said. "You know …