CALIFORNIA ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS

SACRAMENTO - The Asian Pacific Islander (API) Legislative Caucus urged Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to reject the California Performance Review’s (CPR) recommendation to abolish the Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American (APIA) Affairs.

"The API community fought for the creation of a citizens commission to represent their interests and concerns in Sacramento," said Assemblymember Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park), Chair of the API Caucus, "there is simply no value gained for the State to abolish this important commission."

"The Commission is not a fiscal burden to the State and taxpayers," said Assemblymember George Nakano (D-Torrance) who authored the legislation creating the Commission, "it receives no state funding and is supported entirely by private sources."

The Commission on APIA Affairs shares the same goals as the Governor’s CPR efforts. It is a citizens commission that makes government more accountable and responsive by bringing the issues of APIs to policy makers. The Commission is also charged with disseminating information on state programs and services to the community to increase access for APIs to state government.

The CPR recommends the elimination of the Commission on APIA Affairs and the transfer of its responsibilities to a newly formed Governor’s Office of Community Affairs. The creation of such an office would require a significant number of staff to adequately serve the diverse communities in California and would ultimately result in additional costs to the State without improving service or access.

APIs are the fastest growing major ethnic group in California, representing 4 million residents and over 12% of California’s population. The Commission on APIA Affairs was established by legislation (Assembly Bill 116) authored by Assemblymember George Nakano and co-authored by members of the API Legislative Caucus. The Commission on APIA Affairs consists of 13 members appointed by the Governor and the Legislature, and is charged with advising the Governor, the Legislature, state agencies, departments, and commissions on issues relating to the social and economic development, rights and interests of API communities.