WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2021 -- LOS ANGELES, CA -- During the late evening hours of Monday, December 20, 2021, the Commission voted to approve the final Congressional, Senate, and Assembly maps, which can be viewed here. This marks one of the last steps of the redistricting process as the Commission is required to post these maps for 3 days before they will be final. By law, maps need to be certified by December 27, 2021, so they are unlikely to change. Once finalized, these maps will play a major role in the future of our communities and California politics for the next decade.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2021 -- LOS ANGELES, CA -- A coalition of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community leaders and organizations are joining together to raise concerns over California Citizens Redistricting Commission’s draft maps of the San Gabriel Valley (SGV). The draft maps split West San Gabriel Valley cities (WSGV) and East San Gabriel Valley (ESGV) cities with significant AAPI populations into multiple congressional districts. In these drafted commission maps, the AAPI community would face an uphill battle to elect a representative from their own community and reverse four decades of progress by community coalitions and partnerships.
LA한인회와 아시안 정치력 신장연합(CAUSE)가 유권자 교육 워크샵을 오는 30일 오전 11시 LA 한인회관에서 개최합니다.
중간선거를 앞두고 한인들의 투표율 신장을 위해 열리는 이 워크샵에는 유권자 등록, 투표용지 작성과 우편 발송을 돕고, 유권자들이 각 후보자와 10여 가지의 주민 발의안 등을 제대로 알고 투표하도록 정보가 제공됩니다.
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김 지효 기자
現場有許多女性領袖分享自己創業的成功經驗，展現女性力量。(記者林佩錦／攝影)
亞美政聯主席胡澤群（左二）、聯邦眾議員趙美心（左三）及嘉賓合影。(記者林佩錦╱攝影)
洛杉磯主要的亞裔參政社團亞美政聯(CAUSE)，20日舉辦2018亞美政聯「女性力量」（Women in Power）年度領袖大會，聯邦眾議員趙美心獲頒2018傑出女性領袖獎。
女性力量（Women in Power）計畫旨在透過各種專題討論，幫助女性領導者探索並克服面臨的挑戰。現場有許多女性領導者分享自己創業的成功經驗，展現女性力量。
獲獎者趙美心表示，亞美政聯多年來致力於培養女性領袖，她也是一路從蒙市市議員成長為美國第一個華裔女性聯邦眾議員。「我很驕傲今年美國國會有107位女性國會議員，但這只是20%。女性占美國人口的一半，我們必須要有更多女性願意走入政治，為女性發聲。」離11月6日投票日只剩下17天，趙美心希望全體女性團結起來。「你們知道能夠反轉國會席位的候選人都是女性嗎？如果我們能夠贏回席位，那將是我們女性的功勞。」趙美心鼓勵年輕女性一起參與投票，一起做出決定。
獲頒亞美政聯2018傑出女性領袖、在電影「瘋狂亞洲富豪」出演的華韓混血奧卡菲娜(Awkwafina)，是近18年來第一位在綜藝節目周六夜現場(Saturday Night Live)的女性主持人。奧卡菲娜表示，她一開始是在Youtube開始自己的脫口秀節目，表達亞裔女性心聲和倡導女性平權。她去年的歌曲「Green Tea」也被稱為「美國亞裔女人主題曲」。她呼籲「女性勇敢站出來，表達自己，贏得尊重。」
亞美政聯執行長Kim Yamasaki在大會表示，「有些事情只能夠向女性學習，我們鼓勵大家透過分享來互相鼓勵，一起建立強大的領導能力。」
聯邦眾議員趙美心（左）獲得亞美政聯2018傑出女性領袖獎。(記者林佩錦／攝影)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Haidee Pan
Director of Marketing & Communications
Phone: (213)269-4639
Email: haidee@causeusa.org
Los Angeles, CA – October 10, 2018 – CAUSE proudly congratulates our Board of Directors Legal Counsel Kenneth Lee for his nomination by President Donald J. Trump to serve as a Circuit Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Kenneth Lee is a partner in the Los Angeles, California, office of Jenner & Block LLP, where his practice focuses on appellate litigation and internal investigations, and where he serves on the firm’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee. He has briefed and argued appeals in multiple federal courts of appeals, including the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Second, Fifth, and Ninth Circuits. He also maintains an active pro bono practice, providing free legal representation to indigent and incarcerated clients. Prior to joining Jenner & Block, Mr. Lee served as Associate Counsel to President George W. Bush and as an associate with Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. Upon graduation from law school, Mr. Lee clerked for Judge Emilio M. Garza of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Mr. Lee received his A.B. from Cornell University, summa cum laude, and his J.D., magna cum laude, from Harvard Law School.
Kenneth has been an active CAUSE Board Member and has provided the organization with invaluable legal and community building support.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Haidee Pan
Director of Marketing & Communications
Phone: (213)269-4639
Email: haidee@causeusa.org
Who: Speakers / Panelists:
Peter Barth | Director of Public Policy & Government Relations, First 5 LA
Gabrielle Lessard | Senior Policy Attorney, National Immigration Law Center
Doreena Wong | Project Director-Health Access Project, Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Los Angeles
What: This panel-style discussion will provide a space for students and community members concerned about the recent issues surrounding the concept of public charge and how it can potentially pose a significant threat to low-income and/or immigrant communities. The proposal by the current Administration to broaden the definition of the term would threaten immigrants and their families’ access to Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and many other services.
Why: The subject of healthcare, affordability, & access is a hotly debated and highly complicated matter. The current Administration is working towards a number of healthcare and immigration reforms, such as repealing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), enacting a policy of child-separation, and re-shaping conversations surrounding the definition of the term “public charge,” leaving many in the country who require or may soon require medical attention in a state of confusion and anxiety.
Our Healthcare Town Hall will equip our community and its young leaders with the knowledge and tools necessary to create informed and positive impacts for the greater community. The panel portion of the program will provide a platform for attendees to engage with speakers, submit public comment to the federal government, and register to vote.
When: Thursday, October 25, 2018, 4:00 – 5:30 PM
Where: Ground Zero Performance Cafe / University of Southern California
615 Childs Way, Los Angeles, CA 90007
On-campus parking is available for $12. Use the McCarthy Way Entrance (Gate 3), enter off Figueroa at McCarthy Way.
Limited metered parking surrounding the USC campus is also available.
Interview Opportunities:
There will be a Q&A segment of the town hall that press may participate in. Interviews may be conducted after the program at the discretion of the speakers.
Photo Opportunities:
Speakers / Panelists: Peter Barth, Gabrielle Lessard, Doreena Wong
About CAUSE VOTE Initiatives
The CAUSE Voter Outreach, Training, and Education (VOTE) Initiatives, is a year-round civic engagement program that includes voter registration and voter pledges, candidate debates, voter education and registration workshops, and community issue town halls for Asian Pacific Americans (APAs) of all ages.
In order for our APA communities to be aware, mobilize, and vote in future political debates, our Voter Outreach, Training, and Education (VOTE) Initiatives provide culturally-aware outreach resources to encourage civic participation. We understand that our communities need to have the knowledge, access, and network to be fully immersed in our democracy. Our programs inspire APAs of all ages to voice their vote and define their future. Our community issue town halls provide a greater understanding of various issues that directly impact the APA community.
For any further inquiries, please contact CAUSE via phone at (213) 269-4639 or email at info@causeusa.org. General information can be obtained from our website at www.causeusa.org. Our office is located at 1605 W Olympic Boulevard, Suite 1027, Los Angeles, CA 90015.
###
現場有許多女性領袖分享自己創業的成功經驗，展現女性力量。(記者林佩錦／攝影)
亞美政聯（CAUSE）6日在華埠舉辦選民教育講座，以中英雙語向民眾介紹了今年11月加州即將公投的提案，其中包括受到華裔民眾關注的6號、10號以及13號提案，以及註冊選民、投票意義等。
亞美政聯主席胡澤群介紹，11月6日有11項提案交付公投，其中幾個提案爭議大，涉及到華裔利益。講座客觀地向民眾提供每個提案的利弊，由選民自己決定取捨。
10號提案要廢除霍金斯（Costa-Hawkins）州法，允許地方政府自行選擇租金管制。市府和縣府可以有更大的權力來限制房東每年可以調漲的租金。雖然對租客來說是好消息，但是從長遠來看，此舉會影響房屋擁有者的積極性，從而對房產開發等產生更大更深遠的負面影響。
另一個爭議較大的是6號公投案，該案要推翻加州2017年開始實施的增加汽油稅法。他表示這是早先由民主黨人推行的增稅法案，共和黨人力圖將其推翻，此案政治意味比較濃。不過減稅固然好，選民也應考慮加州的交通基建經費是否會受影響。
而13號提案對55歲以上擁有房產的屋主來說十分重要。早在1978年，加州公投通過了降低產業稅的第13號提案。而今年公投的13號提案將擴大其適用範圍。原本的13號提案規定房價只有在屋主換人或重建時，才能重新以市價估價，作為產業稅依據，否則基價就設定在1975年價值，之後每年增值率最高不得超過2%。
該制度導致加州不少在低點擁有房屋的屋主，不敢輕舉妄動，因為新房子產業稅有可能從一年只需付幾千元，一下子提高至需要給付上萬元。新13號提案將規定，對55歲以上的屋主換屋時可帶著原本的低產業稅換房，這對許多擁有房屋的華裔耆老來說提供更多優惠。
【侨报实习记者王珂莹9月21日圣盖博报道】21日，亚美政联（CAUSE）携手联邦众议员赵美心和加州众议员周本立在圣盖博市举行了环保宣活动和演讲。此活动吸引了各业人士的注意，出席者除民选官员外，还有社区领袖，以及圣盖博地区的民众。同时，亚美政联主席胡泽群也出现在活动现场。
本次活动的目的是为了给社区领袖创造一个空间，以让他们全面了解气候变化、能源和水的相关政策。圣盖博谷是加州污染重灾区之一，根据加州环境保护协会的最新数据，超过25%的加州地区已被污染，而在这25%被污染的地区中，有90%的地区已遭重度污染。
针对能源和环境保护而制定的政策将会进一步解决环境污染的问题，同时敦促居民加强环境保护意识。现场官员希望加州的环境保护标准能够逐步成为全美乃至全球的环境保护典范。
赵美心和周本立在演讲时也对环境污染问题发表了看法。除了分析当下环境污染的原因和现状外，周本立还表示：“保护环境是我们每个公民都应该有的责任，环境保护应从每一件小事开始做起。”
除了邀请民选官员外，现场还邀请了4位嘉宾参与小组讨论，他们分别是：非营利组织API Forward Movement的执行官斯科特陈（Scott Chan）、南加州爱迪生公司监管部门副主席的卡若林崔（Caroline Choi）、Our water LA的执行官伊维特·马丁内斯（Yvette Martinez）、专门负责水质监测确保水质不会导致健康隐患的洛杉矶市可持续发展部主席劳拉发贝。他们就环境保护问题分享了自己的一些经历，同时还介绍了他们的公司和机构所在部门对环境保护可提供的资源和服务。
出席亚美政联环保演讲活动的民选官员与嘉宾。侨报实习记者王珂莹摄
記者楊青／巴沙迪那報導
影音來源：記者楊青
亞美政聯（CAUSE）2018大學生領導才能暑期政治實習22日開營，在全國各地上百名競爭者中，脫穎而出的12名入選學生，將在未來九星期前往包括聯邦、州、縣及地方城市各級民選官員辦公室，和政治教育機構接受全職實習和培訓，展開不一樣的暑期之旅。
亞美政聯創辦人胡澤群在開營儀式上鼓勵學生關心美國社會和政治，延伸華人在主流社會關係，並帶動更多華人參政議政，擴展華人在美國主流社會的影響力。CAUSE大學生暑期實習是競爭最激烈的領導才能暑期實習計畫，申請人來自全國各地，背景不同、學校不同，但共同點是對政治充滿熱情，希望多了解政府運作，未來為社區做事情。相信九周實習之後，學生們的眼光和思想都會有相當擴展和提高。
入選的12名學生包括五名男生和七名女生，包括華裔、韓裔、越裔和菲律賓裔等族裔，不僅是歷年來族裔最多元的一次，也是男生較多的一次。不少學生來自洛杉磯加大，還有柏克萊加大、賓州大學、爾灣加大、約翰霍普金斯大學等的在讀生和新生。
今年接受政治實習的民選官員辦公室包括聯邦眾議員趙美心、Jimmy Gomez、Grace Napolotano，加州參議員赫南德茲、州眾議員Miguel Sanitiago、加州財務長江俊輝、洛杉磯縣政委員蘇麗絲和洛杉磯市長賈西提等。
亞美政市場開發主任潘蕓介紹，今年近80人申請，競爭激烈，他們在錄取中主要考量申請人對政治和社會的熱情和服務人群的經驗。12名實習生每人將獲2000元資助，實習結束時要集體完成一個主題為鼓勵亞裔投票的行動計畫。
獲選人中，賓州大學政治和經濟系二年級學生許子凌，將前往洛杉磯市長賈西提辦公室實習。她表示，從小對政治和社會有興趣，在亞凱迪亞高中時擔任學校演講辯論隊和模擬法庭隊長，在大學政治俱樂部也是活躍分子，在幫助教授研究的同時，經常將與亞裔有關的議題帶到學校討論，也將亞裔中的各種精英人士介紹給學校，加強學校和亞裔的聯繫。
多年中文學校的學習讓許子凌講得一口流利中文。她表示，父母從中國農村移民來美，經歷了和所有新移民經歷的許多挑戰，白手起家，希望自己的經驗能幫助更多華人新移民更快融入美國，發揮華人在美國各方面的影響力。
剛從爾灣加大畢業的陳嘉花，父親是來自西貢的難民，母親是潮汕移民，在成長過程經歷了不同的政策對自己生活的影響，希望來自世界各地的移民像他的父母一樣，有機會來到美國落地生根、安居樂業。他將在江俊輝辦公室實習，雖對財政全無經驗，但相信政策和立法應以事實和數據作依據，希望實習和財政兩方面都有收穫。
陳嘉花表示，和許多做生意的潮州人一樣，母親經營美容生意，父母也希望他未來經商，但他希望能夠走出潮州人圈子，在政治方面更有發展，「那樣我可以幫助更多需要幫助的人」。
記者楊青／巴沙迪那報導
影音來源：記者楊青
亞美政聯（CAUSE）2018大學生領導才能暑期政治實習22日開營，在全國各地上百名競爭者中，脫穎而出的12名入選學生，將在未來九星期前往包括聯邦、州、縣及地方城市各級民選官員辦公室，和政治教育機構接受全職實習和培訓，展開不一樣的暑期之旅。
亞美政聯創辦人胡澤群在開營儀式上鼓勵學生關心美國社會和政治，延伸華人在主流社會關係，並帶動更多華人參政議政，擴展華人在美國主流社會的影響力。CAUSE大學生暑期實習是競爭最激烈的領導才能暑期實習計畫，申請人來自全國各地，背景不同、學校不同，但共同點是對政治充滿熱情，希望多了解政府運作，未來為社區做事情。相信九周實習之後，學生們的眼光和思想都會有相當擴展和提高。
入選的12名學生包括五名男生和七名女生，包括華裔、韓裔、越裔和菲律賓裔等族裔，不僅是歷年來族裔最多元的一次，也是男生較多的一次。不少學生來自洛杉磯加大，還有柏克萊加大、賓州大學、爾灣加大、約翰霍普金斯大學等的在讀生和新生。
今年接受政治實習的民選官員辦公室包括聯邦眾議員趙美心、Jimmy Gomez、Grace Napolotano，加州參議員赫南德茲、州眾議員Miguel Sanitiago、加州財務長江俊輝、洛杉磯縣政委員蘇麗絲和洛杉磯市長賈西提等。
亞美政市場開發主任潘蕓介紹，今年近80人申請，競爭激烈，他們在錄取中主要考量申請人對政治和社會的熱情和服務人群的經驗。12名實習生每人將獲2000元資助，實習結束時要集體完成一個主題為鼓勵亞裔投票的行動計畫。
獲選人中，賓州大學政治和經濟系二年級學生許子凌，將前往洛杉磯市長賈西提辦公室實習。她表示，從小對政治和社會有興趣，在亞凱迪亞高中時擔任學校演講辯論隊和模擬法庭隊長，在大學政治俱樂部也是活躍分子，在幫助教授研究的同時，經常將與亞裔有關的議題帶到學校討論，也將亞裔中的各種精英人士介紹給學校，加強學校和亞裔的聯繫。
多年中文學校的學習讓許子凌講得一口流利中文。她表示，父母從中國農村移民來美，經歷了和所有新移民經歷的許多挑戰，白手起家，希望自己的經驗能幫助更多華人新移民更快融入美國，發揮華人在美國各方面的影響力。
剛從爾灣加大畢業的陳嘉花，父親是來自西貢的難民，母親是潮汕移民，在成長過程經歷了不同的政策對自己生活的影響，希望來自世界各地的移民像他的父母一樣，有機會來到美國落地生根、安居樂業。他將在江俊輝辦公室實習，雖對財政全無經驗，但相信政策和立法應以事實和數據作依據，希望實習和財政兩方面都有收穫。
陳嘉花表示，和許多做生意的潮州人一樣，母親經營美容生意，父母也希望他未來經商，但他希望能夠走出潮州人圈子，在政治方面更有發展，「那樣我可以幫助更多需要幫助的人」。
影音來源：記者王全秀子
亞美政聯16日晚在阿罕布拉市舉辦「領導才能實習生」（CAUSE Leadership Institute）畢業典禮，共有17位實習生透過六個月的實習項目培養領導才能，年齡均在20至30歲之間，希望日後能為亞太裔發聲，成為未來的領導者。
他們的畢業項目是為一個非營利殘障組織募款，當晚在畢業典禮中向該組織贈與5000元支票。六個月的實習項目涉及各個領域和熱門議題，包括住房、土地資源、能源、環境保護、社區健康等。
實習生之一、華裔王耀正（Alton Wang）表示，目前他在亞太裔統計機構AAPI Data上班，希望未來的研究方向是研究亞太裔人口如何投票，他們生活狀況如何等議題。認為透過參加亞美政聯領導才能實習生項目，加強了自身能力，提升自己人生和職業的發展，日後做一個強有力的領導者。
透過幾個月學習，他學到了和各種不同族裔人士的相處模式，認為學到的種種經驗不論是對他個人還是所有實習生，日後發展都非常重要。他表示，幫助亞太裔人口在政治中發揮更大的影響力，如果沒有強有力的領導者，開闢新道路，日後就無法在亞太裔社區中創造更多新機會，因此讓亞太裔的聲音能被主流聽到，是他致力奮鬥的目標。
由亞美政聯舉辦、史上第一場針對亞裔社區的州長選舉辯論，邀請了5位加州州長候選人，就亞裔關注問題發表意見及辯論。張紫茵攝
加州州長選舉的初選日臨近，候選人積極落區聽取民意及主動拉票。由亞美政聯舉辦、史上第一場針對亞裔社區的州長選舉辯論上，邀請了5位加州州長候選人，就亞裔關注問題發表意見及辯論，惟民調支持度最高的現任副州長、民主黨的紐森（Gavin Newsom）並無出席。
辯論邀請了共和黨候選人考克斯（John Cox）﹑現任加州眾議員艾倫（Travis Allen），民主黨方面除紐森缺席外，加州財長江俊輝（John Chiang）﹑前洛杉磯市長維拉戈沙（Antonio Villaraigosa）及前加州教育部部長易思婷（Delaine Eastin）共5人同場較量；各人針對處理無證移民﹑大學按族裔錄取新生法案﹑教育資源分配﹑健保政策﹑環保﹑住屋危機﹑營商環境及亞太裔語言障礙等議題發表意見。
最針鋒相對的房屋問題上，眾議員艾倫抨擊另一名共和黨候選人、商人背景的考克斯，借助政府補貼的第8類房屋計劃賺錢，從窮人身上吸金；考克斯反駁稱，其名下房屋由私人資金所建，自己有多年經驗處理房屋問題，反指對方亂作故事，是「到處咬人的瘋狗」（slick talking attack dog）。
眾議員艾倫不甘受辱，提出一個網址，詳細說明考克斯旗下房子問題多多，破爛不堪且有蟲患，又指責考克斯公司的年度報告已下架，欠缺透明度，因此質疑他的誠信。接著發言的加州財長江俊輝笑言，認同雙方意見，加州的確需要一個有經驗﹑有誠信及能夠解決問題的人，他自己就是最佳人選。
辯論結束後，各候選人移師到另一場所接受媒體訪問，目前民調顯示，除紐森支持度領先外，前市長維拉戈沙及商人考克斯支持度亦叮噹馬頭。考克斯表示，有信心可以贏得初選，而民調領先亦是他遭到攻擊的原因。
民調較為落後的眾議員艾倫則表示，幾年前才搬加州的考克斯，根本不屬於加州，並質疑他不是共和黨背景；艾倫指，2016年總統選舉中，特川普在加州取得440萬張選票，比2014年州長布朗當選的430萬票數多，故認為加州有機會選出共和黨人當州長。
唯一一位華裔候選人江俊輝，部分民調指他的支持度徘徊第四，也有民調指他排名第二。江俊輝指，由於亞裔一直被當為「二等公民」，普遍民調沒有多語言調查，因此漠視亞裔意願，他希望亞裔站起來向主流社會表達訴求。
加州州長初選將於6月5日舉行，得票最高的兩名候選人進入11月決選。根據加州大學柏克萊分校最新民調，紐森支持率30%，位居第一；商人考克斯支持率18%，眾議員艾倫支持率16%；前市長維拉戈沙及江俊輝支持率分別為9%及7%。（張紫茵／洛杉磯報導）
民調支持度最高的現任副州長、民主黨的紐森（Gavin Newsom）並無出席。張紫茵攝
亞美政聯主席胡澤群及首席執行長Kim Yamasaki與候選人合照。張紫茵攝
江俊輝指，民調未能完全反映實況，普遍民調沒有多語言調查，因此漠視亞裔意願。張紫茵攝
考克斯表示，有信心可以贏得初選，而民調領先亦是他遭到攻擊的原因。張紫茵攝
民調較為落後的眾議員艾倫表示，加州有潛力選出共和黨人當州長。張紫茵攝
辯論於帕薩迪納市立學院舉行。張紫茵攝
The 2018 Asian Pacific American Gubernatorial 2018 Debate at the Sexson Auditorium at Pasadena City College.
By Eddie Rivera, Community Editor | Photography by James Carbone
Demonstrating the current polarization of the political scene, even in heavily Democratic California, boos erupted several times during Friday evening’s gubernatorial debate at Pasadena City College.
The first instance came when former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was introduced, and continued any time either of the Republican candidates, Travis Allen or John Cox, mentioned President Donald Trump by name.
Allen also referred to his Republican opponent, Cox, as a “slumlord,” and criticized Cox’ apartments “with the cockroaches, the rats, and the holes in the walls.” Cox called those criticisms “lies.”
Friday’s debate, which was attended by several hundred, was the first Asian Pacific American-facing gubernatorial debate in California history, and featured Republican Travis Allen, Democrat John Chiang, Republican John Cox, Democrat Delaine Eastin, and Democrat Villaraigosa.
Democrat Gavin Newsom did not attend the event. His office did return calls or emails from Pasadena Now.
The debate was moderated by Richard Lui, of KNBC-4, and Seema Mehta, of The Los Angeles Times. Questions centered around healthcare, housing, environment, language accessibility and education.
The group of candidates was a relatively accurate spectrum of political leanings with Cox and Allen—Republicans with little chance of winning the state—hewing closely to a conservative, anti-undocumented, and anti-tax stance, while candidates Chiang, Eastin and Villaraigosa supporting varying degrees of liberal and progressive positions.
As an example, asked about the importance of the Asian voting population, Allen said, that, if elected, he would institute a state voter ID program, “so that only California citizens can vote.”
Chiang praised the importance of the Asian-American voting community, and said they have a “chance to have a profound effect on the state and nation’s elections in the future.”
Asked about the hot-button immigration issue, both Cox and Allen stressed border security and crime, with Cox calling Mexico a “corrupt and out-of-control country,” while Eastin noted that half of California’s businesses have at least one immigrant as a founder. Villaraigosa pointed to a recent study by the American Academy of Science, which determined that undocumented immigrants commit less crime than native-born Americans.
“That’s a fact,” he said, adding, “Let’s celebrate the fact that immigrants are contributing to this country.”
On the question of Affirmative Action programs, Eastin said, “I believe in Affirmative Action for lower income students, for people who have special needs, and I believe that this state needs to make college education free for each and every California student. Let’s focus on helping every kid in this state have a brilliant future.”
Chiang agreed, and said, “California education has been dramatically underfunded. We need Affirmative Action so we make sure that people get into the private sector at the highest levels.”
Allen lamented the current quality of California’s education and noted that the system, once the nation’s best, is now in the bottom of the rankings.
“We must fix our education system,” he said, emphasizing school testing at all levels.
Cox criticized educational spending, saying that too much was spent on administrators and not in the classrooms.
‘I want to see teachers paid like rock stars and athletes, based on merit,” he said.
Addressing health care, both Allen and Cox railed against single-payer health care, with Allen saying the system would “bankrupt the state in the first six months,” and saying that he would “eliminate and replace Obamacare.”
Cox called for a “free market health care system and pricing transparency,” adding, “we need to take out the government and insurance companies.”
Asked about climate concerns and the U.S. relaxing a slew of environmental regulations, Chiang said, ‘I believe in Climate Change. I disagree with the president, who said that it’s a hoax, created by the Chinese. Climate change is real.” Chiang said he would work to create a state that was fossil fuel-free by 2045.
“We need to keep the air clean,” said Cox, “but we need to balance out the costs and the benefits.”
Eastin countered, “I believe in something called science. I not only believe in what Governor Jerry Brown is doing, but I will take it much further. The reality is that we absolutely have to reduce our carbon footprint in this state.”
Addressing the housing and homelessness issue, Cox, who worked in the construction industry, said he would streamline construction regulations and claimed to have a plan to build three million homes in California over the next ten years, though he did not offer details. His remarks on housing prompted the attack from Allen.
Meanwhile, Eastin declared, “We need a full court press to make sure we’re building homes close to transit hubs,”, while Villaraigosa acknowledged that the cost of housing is the reason why California has the largest number of homeless in the country, and outlined a wide-ranging plan which included transit-oriented districts, “granny flats,” and housing trust funds.
While Newsom has made several trips to Southern California, including Pasadena, for fundraising, one local political insider posited Friday that Newsom would likely not make any Southern California debate appearances “until after June.”
The California Gubernatorial election is scheduled for November 6, 2018.
作者：高睿
【侨报记者高睿4月27日帕沙迪纳报道】亚美政联27日在帕沙迪纳市立学院举办了首场加州州长候选人辩论会，邀请加州财务长江俊辉、洛杉矶前市长威拉莱格沙（Antonio Villaragosa）、加州众议员艾伦（Travis Allen）、商人考克斯（John H. Cox）、加州公共教育前总监蒂莱恩·伊斯汀（Delane Eastin）等5位候选人就健保、移民、教育、环保、平价住房和亚裔在选举中的作用等多个议题进行辩论。在亚裔的主场辩论会上，江俊辉的每次发言都受到了热烈的掌声与喝彩，彻底改变了在其他辩论会上的“陪衬”形象。
辩论会结束后，有华裔选民调侃道，江俊辉拄着拐杖、行动不便也要参加辩论会，而腿脚利索、行动自如的副州长盖文.纽瑟姆（Gavin Newsom）却没有参加辩论会，足见谁更把亚裔选民的利益放在心上。（图片来源：侨报记者高睿摄）
在亚裔选票对州长选举重要性的议题上，江俊辉表示，他非常重视亚裔州长候选人辩论会，他的父母从台湾移民芝加哥，后搬到加州。在过去的20年里，他在州政府3个部门工作，积累了丰富的政府管理经验。如果能当选州长，他要和特朗普的反移民政策做斗争，为保护千千万万像他父母一样的广大移民的合法权益而战。
威拉莱格沙对美国华人对加州的贡献表示肯定，尤其是在铁路建设上的功绩。“我爷爷当年只穿了一身的衣裳来美国奋斗，从小生意做起，1930年代生意亏本，但爷爷从未放弃美国梦，第一代移民打拼奋斗的精神，不论是西裔还是亚裔都有同样的感受。我们从贫寒而来，如有机会成为州长，我的关注点仍然是那些贫困的民众。加州虽说是世界第6大经济体，但加州也是贫困人口最多的州之一。我会竭尽全力改变这一现状，让加州再次成为实至名归的金州”。
围绕亚裔选票的重要性，5位候选人回答的都非常小心，有的委婉地说每个加州人的全票都很重要，这和肤色、族裔无关；有的不吝讨好说亚裔选票同样重要；威拉莱格沙在肯定亚裔选票重要性的同时，也呼吁广大亚裔选民在这次选举中改变事不关己、高高挂起的态度，积极地投身到选举中来，以改变美国主流对亚裔不关心政治的刻板印象。
江俊辉表示，加州亚裔占总人口的16%，是美国亚裔人口最密集的一个州，但亚裔的选票在过去的选举中并没有发挥出应有的作用。圣盖博谷地区亚裔人口和西裔人口一样多，但亚裔选民参政投票的积极性却比不上西裔。他希望这次的选举，亚裔选民能够站出来支持他，因为这关系到州政府会否出现一名亚裔州长，来替广大亚裔选民说话的历史性时刻。
江俊辉在辩论中表示，他既不是别人口中的“政客”，为了选票吹得天花乱坠；也不是特朗普那种“唯利是图”的商人，他是加州百姓的“管家婆”，是州政府真正干实事的人。（图片来源：侨报记者高睿摄）
在教育问题上，江俊辉认为加州的教育经费严重不足，连续多年的削减教育经费，让很多新移民失去上大学的机会。他在州政府3个财政部门工作，亲眼目睹了教育连年倒退的历史，如果他能当选州长，一定会竭尽全力扭转教育经费严重不足的局面。他要为加州本地居民制定教育上的优惠政策，增加社区学院的建设，降低学费，让更多的人上得起大学。
威拉莱格沙认为，教育应当从儿童抓起，和大学教育相比，早期教育对那些贫困家庭的孩子来说同样重要。
在亚裔族群缺少语言服务的问题上，威拉莱格沙承认，加州政府的很多部门缺少亚裔语言的服务，导致相关政策透明度不够，不过现在是科技发达的时代，网上有很多翻译软件可以利用，比如谷歌翻译，政府应当广为利用，让少数族裔能通过这些翻译工具了解更多的相关政策。
江俊辉在肯定英语为美国主要语言工具的同时，也强调加州少数族裔语言对于政府和民众之间沟通的重要性。他鼓励广大选民学习两种以上的语言，这既可以提高自己在职场的竞争力，又可更多地融入到主流社会。“为了加强与各族裔民众的沟通，我每次深入社区举办讲座和座谈会时，都为大家提供4种以上的语言服务，其中包括中文、日文、韩文和英文等。比如税法，对很多少数族裔的移民来说就是外语，根本听不懂，如果能用他们的母语进行讲解，就可以帮助纳税人更好地了解税法”。
江俊辉在结辩中表示，这场选举之所以非常重要，并非因为他是亚裔，这场选举的重要性在于谁在关键时刻出面解决了问题，谁为了选民的利益敢向前州长阿诺说“不”，谁在过去的几年里为了平价住房、为了加州教育、为了纳税人减负、为了加州全保、为了移民政策的改革做了大量的工作。你们要选举这样干实事的人为你们提供更好的服务。
（编辑：高三）
五位候選人唇槍舌劍。（記者張越／攝影）
記者張越
五位候選人唇槍舌劍。（記者張越／攝影）
加州州長競選選戰白熱化，27日亞美政聯（CAUSE）發起，歷史上首次面向亞太裔社區的州長競選辯論，在巴沙迪那社區學院舉行。五位民調排前六的候選人各抒己見，唇槍舌劍，觀眾也分成兩派，對不同的候選人表現出強烈的好惡，紐森獨缺席。
整場辯論精彩紛呈，各個候選人都使出最大的力氣，發表己見。亞美政聯主席胡澤群說，光芒屬於所有當天到場的候選人，勝利屬於亞太裔社區，屬於所有亞太裔社區的熱心民眾，也屬於所有加州民眾。
影音來源：記者王若然
參加當晚辯論的五位候選人有共和黨加州眾議員艾倫（Travis Allen）、共和黨成功商人考克斯（John Cox）、民主黨前洛杉磯市市長維拉萊構沙（Antonio Villaraigosa)、民主黨現任加州財務長江俊輝，和民主黨前加州教育廳長易思婷（Delaine Eastin）。
當天的辯論分為多個方面，包括大學和中小學教育、基礎設施、是否應該提供更多語言協助、是否應該實施平權措施（Affirmative action）、是否應該支持政府全盤控制的全民健保，以及是否應該有更嚴格的環保政策，以應對氣候變化，和如何讓商家留在加州。
教育是否要實施平權措施
教育是否要實施平權措施是華裔關心話題。艾倫和考克斯都明確反對平權措施。艾倫表示，當年加州的SCA5，是對亞裔的歧視。此外，還有AB1726，要將亞裔更加細分，這更不應該。他支持對家庭貧困或有特殊需求的群體予以關照，但不能按膚色來幫助。考克斯也對平權表示反對，並認為AB1726只是在分裂族群，分而治之。
不過另外三位民主黨候選人都對平權表示支持。維拉萊構沙表示，自己就是平權的受益者，讓每個社區的孩子都有機會，讓公立大學接受更多學生。江俊輝強調，平權措施並不是招生錄取設立族裔配額，而是幫助所有族裔的孩子都能成功。易思婷也表示，我們要包容，容納每一個孩子，更需要建立免費的教育系統。
對中小學教育的看法
對於中小學教育，五位候選人都認為加州投入大量經費，但總體教育排名卻在全國墊底。共和黨籍的艾倫和考克思認為應該限制教師工會的權力，把教育的選擇權交給家長和孩子，廢除所謂的共同核心課程規定（common core）。艾倫尤其強調不能讓學校變成左派的政治宣傳洗腦機構，而考克思則表示，歐巴馬可以把自己的女兒送到私校，為什麼普通人的孩子就必須困在爛學區不能走？
易思婷則強調從幼稚園到大學全部免費，江俊輝則要求增加教育資金，維拉萊構沙也表示要加強對教師的培訓投入。
非法移民該何去何從
加州大量的非法移民何去何從，也成為辯論焦點。艾倫表明必須修牆，且須設立投票身分驗證法，避免非法移民鑽空子投票。考克斯也明確表示，將配合川普政策，加州居民需要安全，他將廢除加州的庇護州政策。江俊輝則表示，自己的父母本來就是移民，很多亞裔就是夢想生，他們服務社會甚至參軍服役，加州要有更包容多元的移民環境。維拉萊構沙和易思婷也表示，沒有移民就沒有加州，歡迎更多移民才能讓加州更有希望。
州政府是否應提供更多的語言幫助
對於是否政府應該提供更多的語言幫助，候選人將其理解為加州是否應該提供多種外語教育。江俊輝、維拉萊構沙和易思婷都表示，必須加強多種語言教育，這是應對新世紀的經濟全球化的必然選擇，孩子們必須要學習第二種語言。兩名共和黨候選人則認為，先讓孩子們把英語學好，美國是建立在英語的國家，只有學好英語，孩子們才能找到更好的工作，得到更多機會。
州府是否應提供單一付費的健保
是否該由政府提供單一付費制的全民健保也是民眾關心問題。民主黨三位候選人均表示，健保是人權，不是富人的特權，每個人都應該有健保。江俊輝強調他擔任財務長和主計長的經歷，認為可以透過嚴格監督和審計，省出錢來搞全民健保。維拉萊構沙也表達自己當年擴大白卡受益人群的事績，不過認為當務之急是不要讓川普廢了歐巴馬健保。易思婷則表示，所有其他發達國家都是全民健保，只有美國不是，美國必須趕上。
但兩名共和黨籍的候選人卻認為，政府單一控制的全民健保，到時候只能讓人們看病好像去現在的車管（DMV）辦事，工作人員效率低下，民眾排隊苦不堪言。解決之道是引入更多的競爭和醫療供給，讓加州有更多醫師，更多健保公司，讓他們互相競爭，降低價格。
加州住房危機如何解決
住房也是當晚的論題，加州由於房價越來越高，導致中產階級出走。江俊輝表示，以自己擔任加州財務長的經驗，只要有嚴格審計，並且增加政府自己投入，就能提供更多住房。易思婷則表示，要多修建公寓式住宅，此外還有加強租金管控。維拉萊構沙則要求城市設立自己的住房地目標準。兩位共和黨籍候選人則攻擊加州多如牛毛的限制和法律，以及強加給地產的稅，導致建房成本高居不下，希望放寬管制，降低成本，才能增加房屋供給，降低價格。
如何讓商家留在加州
此外，加州是對商家最不友好的州，如何讓商家留在加州，幾乎所有人都表示目前的法律和政策過於嚴苛。要讓中小型企業留在加州，減少賦稅和法律約束。江俊輝表示，將設立一站式服務，讓商家只需和政府打一次交道，就把所有的事都辦好。
環保議題
氣候變化和環境保護也是當晚的議題之一。江俊輝表示，必須承認氣候變化，他的目標是支持加州2025年禁止使用柴油，2050年廣泛使用新能源汽車。易思婷則堅決反對在加州使用頁岩油技術，認為這將會破壞地下水源，給加州帶來災難。維拉萊構沙則表示，洛杉磯市全國大城市裡空氣最乾淨，他這方面經驗很豐富。此外，他將增加綠色產業的工作機會，讓加州永遠走在環保前列。
兩名共和黨候選人則表示，大家都想有乾淨的空氣和水。考克斯說，其實聯邦環保局和飲用水標準，都是共和黨籍的議員設立的，環保雖好，但要考慮成本和收益，而現在加州議會被環保利益集團控制，這是不對的。艾倫則表示，就算今天全加州的人都排放溫室氣體，對地球整體也不會有任何影響。他希望廢除布朗的汽油稅，讓大家都能用得上廉價清潔的能源。
加州歷史上第一次面向亞太裔的州長候選人政見辯論會，場外有候選人之一江俊輝的志工，分發宣傳他的傳單。（記者王若然╱攝影）
記者王若然
加州歷史上第一次面向亞太裔的州長候選人政見辯論會，27日晚在巴沙迪納社區學院Sexson禮堂舉行，不少尚無立場持觀望態度的民眾與會，也有各候選人的支持者到場為自己的支持者發聲。
當天下午6時，Sexson禮堂前的觀眾註冊攤位就已經準備就緒，不少民眾這時也已到場，直到晚間7時多辯論開始時，場內1000多個座位幾乎坐滿。場外還可以看到候選人的支持者，為前來觀看辯論的民眾做宣傳。候選人之一、加州財務長江俊輝（John Chiang）的競選團隊志願者，即在現場發著宣傳冊，他們穿著印有「John Chiang」標語的上衣。另有加州眾議員艾倫（Travis Allen）的兩三名支持者，在禮堂門口宣傳。
前洛杉磯市市長維拉萊構沙（Antonio Villaraigosa）約20幾人支持者，舉著支持他的標語，在禮堂外面遊行，並喊著他的名字。維拉萊構沙上前一一與他們握手。
當日辯論會有不少民眾並沒有明確支持對象，他們想要了解各候選人的政見後，再做選擇。
來自菲律賓的Malou Mariano從長堤市特意趕來觀看辯論，她是江俊輝堅定的支持者。她說，從十幾年前就開始支持江俊輝。她認為江俊輝在職位上一直做的很好，江俊輝不僅為亞裔爭取權利，也為所有族裔都做了很多事，自己還將繼續支持他競選州長。
美國中老年人退休協會（AAPR）是本次的贊助者之一，雖然該組織無立場，但來自該組織的華裔女士Susan是江俊輝的堅定支持者。她說，十分支持華裔執政，為華裔發聲。她認為江俊輝的加州財務長背景，會幫助加州經濟實力增加。
另有艾倫的支持者在談到為何支持艾倫時說，因為自己的關注點跟其他人不一樣，因此在選擇支持者也不同。她比較看重傳統價值的回歸，並且反對大麻、非法移民等，而艾倫在這些問題上的態度較為傳統，因此支持他。
亞美政聯首次舉辦面對亞太裔的加州州長候選人辯論會的兩位主持人之一密塔（Seema Mehta） 。（洛杉磯時報網站下載）
亞美政聯首次舉辦面對亞太裔的加州州長候選人辯論會的兩位主持人之一、華裔呂勇詩（Richard Liu）。（MSNBC網站下載）
記者楊青
影音來源：記者王若然
亞美政聯首次舉辦面對亞太裔的加州州長候選人辯論會，27日晚在巴沙迪那社區學院Sexson禮堂熱烈登場。主辦單位邀請NBC華裔新聞主持人呂勇詩（Richard Liu），以及洛杉磯時報政治記者密塔（Seema Mehta）擔任主持人。當天在辯論會展開前，場內外氣氛就頗為熱烈。
呂勇詩自2010年起開始擔任MSNBC白天新聞的播音員，他曾多次主持過重大新聞事件，如2011年的「債務天花板」辯論、阿拉伯之春等。他主持的其他新聞話題還包括政治候選人的社交媒體策略、失業與選舉權之間的關係等。在擔任MSNBC的主持人之前，他在CNN全球新聞作了五年記者。在2008年總統選舉期間，曾擔任晨間選舉新聞的主持人，他還作為嘉賓，經常參加政治新聞類脫口秀節目。
密塔是洛杉磯時報專門負責2018年加州州長選舉的文字記者，她有著豐富的政治選舉文章的寫作背景，曾報導過2016年、2012年和2008年美國總統選舉以及其他州長、參議院、市長的選舉。密塔也經常出鏡電視新聞，她每周都會上MSNBC的新聞，在其他電視媒體如CNN、ABC、BBC也都曾露面。她被華盛頓郵報命名為最優秀的政治記者之一，她還曾獲得史丹福大學的媒體獎學
An empty lectern for gubernatorial candidate Gavin Newsom made clear what the organizers of the Asian Pacific Islander debate on Friday in Pasadena thought of his absence. MARY PLUMMER/KPCC
By Mary Plummer
On a night when the frontrunner was notably absent, five of the major candidates for governor participated on Friday in what organizers billed as the first Asian-Pacific Islander gubernatorial debate.
The event in Pasadena amounted to a flexing of electoral muscle for groups representing Asians, the fastest-growing racial group in the United States.
State Treasurer John Chiang, whose parents are immigrants from Taiwan, pitched himself as the strongest advocate for the Asian community.
“We have a profound opportunity to send a powerful signal to those in Sacramento that the Asian-Americans count,” Chiang said.
Chiang was greeted by loud applause and appeared to be a crowd favorite when he came on stage. But he has been trailing in recent polls.
A Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll released Thursday showed Chiang drawing 7 percent support among those surveyed, mirroring a Public Policy Institute of California poll released on April 11.
California Lt. Governor, Gavin Newsom speaks at the United Voices Rally outside the United Talent Agency Friday, February 24, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. AFP/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
The frontrunner in the race, Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom, was invited to the API debate but did not attend the event — a move that frustrated event organizers and drew boos from the crowd.
A spokesman for Newsom’s campaign said he has attended eight debates so far, and plans to attend a televised debate in Silicon Valley on May 8 ahead of the June 5 primary.
The API debate organizers left an empty lectern on stage to underscore Newsom’s absence. The event was hosted by the Center for Asian Americans United for Self-Empowerment and dozens of community partners.
Newsom’s closest Democratic rival, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, chided Newsom for failing to show up and praised the other candidates who did.
“We’ve been on the campaign trail for a very long time. We’ve had our debates and our differences. But the fact that you show up says something, it says that you care,” Villaraigosa said.
Mayor Villaraigosa praises the new Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator. JERRY GORIN/KPCC
The candidates – who’ve gone through numerous debates during the run-up to the primary — displayed relatively low energy compared to past debates. Republicans John Cox and Travis Allen were the only two candidates to get into significant verbal sparring.
Chiang arrived on a crutch, which his communications director Fabien Levy said was due to a sprained ankle. Former state Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin nearly lost her voice and coughed repeatedly during the start of the debate.
Several of the candidates repeated lines they’ve used during previous debates. Eastin, for example, got a small round of applause for a previously used dig at climate change deniers as she discussed her views on the environment. “I believe in something called science,” she said.
The candidates responded to several specific questions about issues impacting the Asian Pacific Islander community. In response to one about the role of improving language diversity across government, Democrats and Republicans parted company.
Allen advocated for a renewed emphasis on ensuring all Californians learn and become proficient in English. “English unites us; language does not divide us,” he said.
Cox’s struck a similar note: “We do people no favors by encouraging people to not learn English.”
California Democratic gubernatorial candidate, California State Treasurer John Chiang, greets union carpenters during a campaign event near the Golden Gate Bridge on June 7, 2017 in San Francisco, California. JUSTIN SULLIVAN/GETTY IMAGES
But Chiang disagreed, appealing directly to the audience.
“We want to encourage Californians and Americans to speak multiple languages,” he said. “We need to get to know each other better to connect.”
Voters will narrow the field for governor in the primary, with the top two voter-getters, regardless of party, advancing to the runoff in November.
This story has been updated.
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2018美籍亞太社區州長候選人現場辯論會於27日晚上在帕沙迪納社區學院舉行，參與辯論的候選人包括(由左起)艾倫、江俊輝、考克斯、易思婷、維拉戈薩。
記者李青蔚帕沙迪納市報道
亞美政聯(Cause)於27日晚上於帕沙迪納社區學院主辦史上首個以亞太裔議題為主導的州長競選辯論，在環保問題上，主持人問及候選人會否延續現任加州州長布朗的環保政策。民主黨現任加州財務長江俊輝相信氣候變遷，他不像總統特朗普那樣，怪責氣候變化是由中國造成。
江俊輝相信加州政府有能力在氣候變化作出努力，他許下承諾，期望加州在2045年成為不使用化石原料的州份，在2035年時加州人購買能源潔淨的能源新車。
而共和黨商人考克斯（John Cox）講求成本效益，指出潔淨的清水和空氣非常重要，但需要在成本和效益上作出平衡，加州政府的管理不善，導致近年山火頻生，這山火的碳排放量，比加州汽車一年的總碳排放更多。而民主黨前加州教育廳長易思婷（Delaine Eastin）和民主黨前洛杉磯市市長維拉戈薩（Antonio Villaraigosa)主張要更多的環境政策，保護環境。而共和黨加州眾議員艾倫（Travis Allen）認為，民眾應該在潔淨安全的情況下使用自然資源。
在移民和教育問題上，共和黨商人考克斯指出，他將廢除加州庇護政策，他稱自己喜歡移民，而他所指的移民是通過正當途徑進入美國的移民。艾倫表明表必須修建圍牆，並需要在DMV設立身份驗證登記才可以投票，確保所有選民都是合法居民。他們明言移民孩子必須英語流利，才能融入社會，找到更好的工作。民主黨的候選人江俊輝、維拉戈薩和易思婷則認為加州應該更包容移民，同時加強多種語言教育，應對全球化趨勢。
參加當晚辯聯會有共和黨加州眾議員艾倫、共和黨商人考克斯、民主黨前洛杉磯市市長維拉戈薩、民主黨現任加州財務長江俊輝，和民主黨前加州教育廳長易思婷，唯民主黨副州長紐森缺席。
By ANDY VITALICIO
Five out of six California gubernatorial candidates have confirmed their attendance for Friday’s first-ever Asia-Pacific American-focused gubernatorial debate in California history, to be held at Pasadena City College from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Organizers predict broad state-wide issues will be discussed.
Those who have confirmed attendance are State Assembymember Travis Allen, State Treasurer John Chiang, business John Cox, former State Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin, and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
The sole question mark is front-running Gavin Newsom, Lieutenant Governor of California since 2011, who has not said if he will attend. Newsom’s office did not return requests for information from Pasadena Now on Thursday.
Miko Jeao, Manager of Voter Engagement at Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE), a co-host of the debate, said the event is supported by a number of other community organizations.
“There are a lot of debates that have happened throughout California with a bunch of different communities in mind, and there’s never been one for the Asian-Pacific-American citizens,” Jeao said. “So we decided to team up with over 70 community partners and over 20 media partners to form together and host the first-ever APA gubernatorial debate this Friday. Some of the questions are going to be topics that are geared towards our community, but a lot of the questions are just general debate questions.”
Today more than one-third (5.7 million) of the United States’ Asian-Pacific-American population resides in California, according to CAUSE. California is also home to the largest number of APA-owned businesses (32 percent of the total in the nation) and boasts an Asian-Pacific-American consumer market of $172 billion.
With the Asian-Pacific-American population comprising nearly 15 percent of California’s electorate, the community has the potential to decide the outcome of the 2018 elections.
The debate is also hosted by the National Women’s Political Caucus (NWPC) Greater Pasadena Area.
Assemblyman Travis Allen was first elected to the State Assembly in November of 2012, representing the 72nd Assembly District, which includes the cities of Huntington Beach, Seal Beach, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Westminster, and Los Alamitos, also the unincorporated communities of Sunset Beach, Midway City, and Rossmoor. In addition, the 72nd Assembly District also includes portions of Cypress, Stanton, Anaheim, and Santa Ana.
Allen is running on a 5-Point Plan to Take Back California, which says the state must cut taxes, get tough on crime, fix its roads and reduce traffic, once again provide the best education in the country, and complete the State Water project.
John Chiang was elected on Nov. 4, 2014, as California’s 33rd State Treasurer. As the state’s banker, he oversees trillions of dollars in annual transactions, manages a $75 billion investment portfolio, and is the nation’s largest issuer of municipal bonds.
In addition, he chairs financing authorities that help provide good-paying jobs, better schools, improved transportation, quality health care, more affordable housing and a cleaner environment. He handles those duties while sitting on the governing boards of the nation’s two largest public pension funds with combined assets exceeding $496 billion.
John Cox, as a businessman, has been a conservative leader for more than 35 years, serving on Jack Kemp’s national steering committee and as Newt Gingrich’s California Finance Chair. He was a leader of the successful effort to remove disgraced Democrat Mayor Bob Filner in San Diego, and a major backer of the Paycheck Protection campaign to rein in the corrupting power of the public employee unions. Now, at the request of California’s Republican Members of Congress, John Is serving as Chairman of Give Voters a Voice, the initiative campaign to repeal the gas tax increase.
Cox built his own business from scratch to a $200 million enterprise with almost 100 employees. He is active in charitable organizations, and serves as a Board member for the San Diego USO. Cox also founded an organization that repairs the homes of low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities. Since 1991, that organization has mobilized 20,000 volunteers and repaired over 1,000 homes. He is both a fiscal and social conservative, and supports 2nd Amendment rights and strongly opposes Gov. Jerry Brown’s Sanctuary State.
Delaine Eastin, a professor of education, was the first and only woman to date to be elected California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, serving from 1995 to 2003 under Governors Pete Wilson and Gray Davis. Eastin represented parts of Alameda County and Santa Clara County in the California State Assembly between 1986 and 1994.
After leaving elected office, Eastin became the first Executive Director of the National Institute for School Leadership, and a Distinguished Visiting Professor of Educational Leadership at Mills College, where she directed the Center for Civic Engagement and Women’s Leadership.
She has served or serves on a number of boards advocating for foster youth, women’s rights, healthy lunches, civic engagement of youth, gardens in schools, electing more women to public office and getting more women into STEM education. She also served on the Gevirtz School of Education Board at UCSB and the Alumni Board at UC Davis, as well as chairing the UC Davis Center for Nutrition Education Board.
Antonio Villaraigosa was the 41st Mayor of Los Angeles, from 2005 to 2013. Before becoming mayor, he was a member of the California State Assembly (1994–2000), where he served as the Democratic leader of the Assembly (1996–98), and Assembly Speaker (1998–2000).
During his tenure as mayor, he gained national attention for his work and was featured in Time’s story on the country’s 25 most influential Latinos. He was the first Mexican American in over 130 years to have served as Mayor of Los Angeles. He was term limited and could not run for re-election in 2013. He continues to be actively engaged in education, civic engagement, water, immigration, transportation, and economic development issues.
Villaraigosa believes that “making our state work for everyone starts with making sure everyone has a voice.”
“I’m running for Governor to do big things – starting with rebuilding our middle class by investing in our schools and repairing our infrastructure,” he said. “But we’re never going to make this state work for us again unless we give voice to the people who are all too often not heard in Sacramento.”
Friday’s debate will be at PCC’s Sexson Auditorium at 1570 E. Colorado Blvd. The event is free and open to the public.
For more information, visit www.nwpcgpa.org/events or www.eventbrite.com/e/2018-apa-gubernatorial-debate-tickets-42300610264 to register.
Candidates for the California Governor debate Friday evening, April 27, 2018. (Nathan Solis/CNS)
By Nathan Solis
Candidates for the California Governor debate Friday evening, April 27, 2018. (Nathan Solis/CNS)
PASADENA, Calif. (CN) – California gubernatorial candidates duked it out at the first Asian-Pacific American focused debate on Friday evening where they shared their vision for the state’s healthcare, immigration policies and what language Californians should speak.
Three Democrats and two Republican candidates were asked if they supported language access for Californians.
Republican candidate and state assemblyman Travis Allen said the best thing the state can do is provide basic proficiency in reading and writing to its children.
“Let’s not kid ourselves: this country was founded on English,” Allen said.
Democrat candidate and state treasurer John Chiang, a child of Taiwanese immigrants, agreed English is important, but said so is diversity and the multiple languages people speak.
“We need to know each other to better connect,” Chiang said.
The crowd at Pasadena City College responded to verbal jabs traded between candidates. Republican businessman John Cox called Allen a slick-talking “attack dog” after he said Cox and his housing units benefit from Section 8 and said he was a “slumlord.”
Candidates and event organizers also took their swipes at Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom, who declined an invite to Friday night’s debate. He also declined an invite to another debate in San Bernardino County earlier in the day.
Less than 40 days to the June primary, the race for California’s governor is for second place. That’s because Newsom has a comfortable lead in the polls, leaving the rest of the candidates in a battle to get enough votes to meet him in November.
Newsom, 50, leads in a poll with 30 percent of likely voters saying they would vote for the former mayor of San Francisco. That’s a bump from 26 percent in December, according to a survey from the Institute of Governmental Studies at UC Berkeley.
Meanwhile, Republican candidates Cox and Allen passed former Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa in the same poll, with preference for him at just 9 percent, a decline from 17 percent in December.
Cox has 18 percent support, almost double from what he had at the end of 2017 and Allen has seen a boost to 16 percent, according to the Institute of Governmental Studies poll from UC Berkley.
Rounding out the pack are former state superintendent of public instruction Delaine Eastin and Chiang, with 4 and 7 percent support as of late-April.
At Friday night’s debate, candidates presented their message to the Asian-American community at the event hosted by the Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE).
Cox called California unfriendly to businesses and a “judicial hellhole” where regulations are crushing business.
“The Asian-American community knows it,” Cox said.
The candidates spoke about issues important to them, with Eastin saying she believes in science and would continue to carry the environmental policies of Gov. Jerry Brown.
Chiang and Villaraigosa said they advocated for affirmative action, because it provided them access to education.
Eastin called herself the American dream.
“I’m the daughter of a machinist and dress clerk,” Eastin said. “I want every kid to have the chance I had. We need quality education for every child.”
The audience booed and cheered as the sanctuary law was brought up by candidates, but not by the moderators. Both Allen and Cox said they would repeal the law, while the other candidates said diversity is part of the state’s strength.
Villaraigosa said, “Let’s fix this broken immigration system,” to some cheers, while Cox called Mexico a corrupt country, which received jeers.
The top-two primary election will be held June 5.
*A previous version of the article incorrectly attributed a quote from Cox to Allen.