Steve Angeles, ABS-CBN News, Published Aug 16, 2024
LOS ANGELES, California — Asian-American community leaders and elected officials are coming together in support of a Los Angeles County proposal to give Asian Angeleños a voice when it comes to the county’s government while also cracking down on corruption.
A proposal to expand the Los Angeles county board of supervisors from 5 members to 9 and to create an ethics commission will make it to the November ballot.
"By wrapping this package of governance and ethics reform efforts, we know that bringing a package of reform will help to educate people. This isn’t just one change here or there but this is one package to bring broad sweeping change that increases diverse representation by communicating that with the community," said LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath.
Filipino community leaders believe the added board members would foster more engagement with residents and their local governments.
"There will be better service for residents, there will be more connections to the board of supervisors, there will be more opportunities for residents to make their voces heard," said Nancy Yap of the Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment.
The proposal would also create an elected county executive.
Another portion of this proposal includes creating an ethics commission that local elected Fil-Am officials believe is needed.
"In this type of climate, we have to have the highest ethical standards so we have not just the commission but this new wave of leaders," said Melissa Ramoso of Artesia City Council.
Census figures estimate that about 16 percent of the 9.7 million county population are Asian. However, there has yet to be an Asian-American county supervisor.
Despite the numbers and the years, Asians are continuing to look for their “firsts” when it comes to representation.
Horvath assures that the proposal would not increase taxes.
If passed on the November 5th ballot, the changes would roll out beginning with the establishment of the ethics commission in 2026.