The 2006 budget number for the Small Business Administration (set at $456.5 million, down $123 million from 2005 and 50% from 2001) has ignited a flurry of criticism about the agency.

Rustic Canyon / Fontis Partners Closes Initial $70 Million to Fund Investment in Emerging Ethnic Markets; Fund Will Emphasize Southwestern Hispanic Markets focusing on the region's fastest-growing business segments: minority- and women-owned businesses

"Financial literacy" is the key to building wealth across the U.S. Hispanic economy, and the best strategy for generating a foundation of savvy is creation of "a financial counseling infrastructure at the community level," according to analysts at the National Council of La Raza.

The bilingual dollhouse and the more popular Dora's talking kitchen are among a growing number of Hispanic-themed toys and games on display this holiday season as manufacturers vie for the dollars of one of the fastest growing markets in the nation.

According to Scarborough Research, Hispanics are 21 percent more likely to see a film within two weeks of its release. Despite those numbers, Hollywood has been slow to latch on to target Hispanics as a market although there have been spotty attempts, such as "Chasing Papi" and "A Day Without a Mexican."

At the heart of far-reaching immigration legislation passed Friday by the House is a simple but controversial theory: If the nation's 11 million illegal immigrants can't find jobs, they'll leave the country.

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While the U.S. median age continues to rise, from 35.3 years in 2000, the median age of Hispanics remains the lowest of all groups. Demographers predict faster growth among young Hispanics than among other young ethnic groups for the next decade.

More than 20 percent of Cubans are 65 or older, while a scant 4 percent of Mexicans are in that age bracket. On the other hand, 37 percent of Mexicans and 31 percent of Puerto Ricans are younger than 18.

Hispanic ad spending growth slowed significantly this year, after peaking in 2003.