Welcome to the California Asian Pacific Islander (API) Legislative Caucus website. Here you will find information about the members and activities of the caucus. There are also resources such as past publications and legislative priorities that are provided to assist you in better understanding and connecting with the legislative process.

Accounting for about 15.5% of the state's population, Asian and Pacific Islander Americans (APIA) continue to be among the fastest growing racial and ethnic groups in the state. California alone is home to about one-third of the nation's APIA population. As part of the substantial demographic shift in recent decades, the Caucus was founded in 2001 and serves to represent and advocate for the interests of the APIA community, including increasing APIA representation and participation at all levels of government.

Now in our tenth year, the API Caucus continues to grow and represent the diverse APIA communities around the State. Although three Members of the Caucus termed out in 2010, Assemblymembers Richard Pan and Das Williams were elected. In addition, Senator Ted Lieu came back to the Legislature in a special election, bringing the membership to a historic eleven members. Considering that as late as 1991 there were no API members represented in this body, this is a remarkable achievement.

With the further growth and political maturity of the APIA community, we hope to continue addressing the needs of this population while organizing our increasing influence. Functioning as a critical swing vote in this state and several others, it is an exciting and politically significant time for the APIA community.

Please contact us with your thoughts and suggestions as they are valuable to us.

Sincerely,
Warren Furutani, 55th Assembly District
Chair, Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus