江俊辉州长候选人辩论会发言满堂彩 (US China Press)

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）

加州州長候選人辯論「面向亞太裔社區」 五人舌戰 (World Journal)

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。

州長候選人支持者 辯論會力挺 (World Journal)

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。

紐森缺席辯論 華人見解不一 (World Journal)

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

Who Showed up for the Latest Governor’s Debate? and What Did They Have to Say? (KPCC)

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.

067: Lights, Camera, Apa Debate! (Model Majority Podcast)

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Tony and Kevin share their impressions, analysis, and hot takes on the first-ever Asian-American focused gubernatorial debate in California’s history. #APAGovDebate

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加州州長候選人辯論 江俊輝承諾若當選2045年加州不再用化石原料 (Sing Tao Daily)

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。

California Gubernatorial Candidates to Clash at Pasadena Debate Tonight (Pasadena Now)

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.

California Governor Debate Descends into Name-Calling (Courthouse News Service)

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.

ABS-CBN TFC, BA Support First-Ever APA-Facing Gubernatorial Debate in California History (Woman.ph)

By FEATURESDESK (ICG)

ABS-CBN The Filipino Channel and BA, its daily news show in North America, have joined over 70 community organizations and over 15 press agencies in the Asian Pacific American (APA) community to support the Center for Asian Americans United for Self-Empowerment (CAUSE) in hosting the first ever APA facing-Gubernatorial Debate in California History. Tickets are sold out with over 1,200 guests attending.

The historic event will take place this Friday, April 27, from 7-8:30pm Pacific, at the Sexson Auditorium of Pasadena City College in Pasadena, California. Those who don’t have tickets can watch the livestream on the CAUSE YouTube channel.

Invited gubernatorial candidates are:

Travis Allen (R) (Confirmed)
John Chiang (D) (Confirmed)
John H. Cox (R) (Confirmed)
Delaine Eastin (D) (Confirmed)
Gavin Newsom (D)
Antonio Villaraigosa (D) (Confirmed)

The debate will be moderated by MSNBC and NBC News Anchor Richard Lui and Los Angeles Times political writer Seema Mehta.

APA communities are the fastest growing ethnic group across the nation. Today, more than one-third (5.7 million) of the United States’ APA population resides in California. California is also home to the largest number of APA-owned businesses (32% of the total in the nation) and boasts an APA consumer market of $172 billion.

With the APA population comprising nearly 15% of California’s electorate, it has the potential to decide the outcome of the 2018 elections.

Center for Asian Americans United for Self-Empowerment (CAUSE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan, community-based organization with a mission to advance the political empowerment of the Asian Pacific American community through nonpartisan voter outreach, training, and education as well as leadership development.

Watch the CA Midterm Gubernatorial Debate Live on CAUSE (Balitang America)

By Steve Angeles

As we dig deep into the 2018 midterm election seasons, BA has partnered with Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment, or CAUSE, for what may be California’s most important elections: the race for governor.

This Friday at 7 PM, at the Pasadena City College, five of the gubernatorial candidates will be debating for the Asian Pacific American community.

California is home to the largest Filipino population. Many important issues are expected to be brought up during the forum.

CAUSE will YouTube live-stream the debate through their website CAUSEUSA.org.

【面對亞太裔】27日州長辯論 預約旁聽 (World Journal)

記者王若然

加州歷史上第一次面向亞太裔社區的州長候選人政見辯論會，將在27日晚7時至8時30分在巴沙迪那社區學院 （Pasadena City College，PCC）的Sexson禮堂舉行，屆時排名前六的五位候選人將在醫保、移民等問題上表述自己的政見。該政見會免費對公眾開放，唯需事先在網上預約：https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2018-apa-gubernatorial-debate-tickets-42300610264

五位將參加政見會的州長候選人為加州華裔財務長江俊輝（John Chiang）、加州眾議員艾倫（Travis Allen）、律師考克斯（John Cox）、前加州教育廳長易思婷（Delaine Eastin）、前洛杉磯市市長維拉萊構沙（Antonio Villaraigosa）。

今年州長競選的大熱門之一的副州長紐森（Gavin Newsom）將未能出席，根據其競選團隊聲明，是因為近來辯論會太多，他無法抽身參加。

此次政見會由公益組織「亞美政聯」（Center for Asian Americans United for Self-Empowerment ，簡稱CAUSE）聯合70多個社區組織和15多家媒體共同舉辦。亞美政聯首席執行長（Executive Director）Kim Yamasaki說，「這是一個讓加州州長候選人分享他們對亞裔美國人群體需求和問題看法的好機會。」

此次政見會除了面對現場觀眾，還通過媒體播出，將配有中英文字幕。

In California, Asian Americans Find Growing Political Power (NBC)

By Agnes Constante

A growing number of Asian-American candidates are running for elected office at all levels of government, particularly in California.

LOS ANGELES — When Rob Bonta became California’s first Filipino-American state legislator in 2012, he wanted to show that someone who understood the Asian-American community could be a champion for it.

In his first year, he introduced a bill requiring schools to teach the Filipino-American role in California history, including in the farmworkers labor movement. That measure was signed into law the next year.

In this 2015 photo, Paul Chavez gives Assemblymember Rob Bonta a tour of the Agbayani Village in Delano, California, a retirement home created for Filipino farmworkers. Courtesy Of The Office Of Assemblymember Rob Bonta

In this 2015 photo, Paul Chavez gives Assemblymember Rob Bonta a tour of the Agbayani Village in Delano, California, a retirement home created for Filipino farmworkers. Courtesy Of The Office Of Assemblymember Rob Bonta

“That was very much inspired by my Filipino-American heritage, my family’s own personal experience in the movement, and was something I wanted to share more broadly with the larger Filipino-American community and the larger Asian-American community and the larger California community,” Bonta said.

His election is part of a trend of growing political power for the Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, especially in the state of California, where AAPIs account for nearly 15 percent of the population, according to Census estimates.

In 1980, there were at least 160 AAPI elected officials in various levels of government, including Congress, state legislatures, counties, cities and school boards, according to Pei-te Lien, a professor who specializes in Asian-American politics at the University of California, Santa Barbara. By the time Bonta was elected to the California State Assembly, there were at least 343. That number had grown to at least 463 by 2016.

California is home to many of those elected officials: 16 of the 120 lawmakers in the state legislature are currently Asian American or Pacific Islander, according to Catherine Nou, chief consultant at the California Asian and Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus, and several cities and counties in the state have majority Asian American boards of supervisors or city councils.

Voters cast ballots in Los Angeles County in California on November 6, 2012. FREDERIC J. BROWN / AFP/Getty Images

The community’s growing influence can also be seen on California’s ballot this year.

California voters will find at least a dozen Asian Americans contending for office in the June primary election, including state treasurer John Chiang, who is running for governor; state controller Betty Yee, who is seeking re-election; and California Board of Equalization member Fiona Ma, who is running for state treasurer.

The number of candidates has prompted the Los Angeles-based nonprofit Center for Asian Americans United For Self Empowerment (CAUSE) to organize what it calls the first ever AAPI-focused gubernatorial debate in the state’s history, scheduled for April 27. The event is the largest in a series of debates the group is planning as part of its voter engagement initiatives.

“I think for us … 2018 really felt like an opportunity to leverage the community to get out there and vote,” Kim Yamasaki, CAUSE’s executive director said.

“We’re seeing more AAPIs running for office up and down the ticket,” Christine Chen — executive director of APIAVote, a nonprofit that aims to boost civic participation among AAPIs — said. “It’s not just only the school board or city council or various commissions, but we also saw a lot more success in state legislature races as well.”

James Lai, an ethnic studies professor at Santa Clara University who focuses on political participation, noted that a key reason for the rise in political representation is rooted in suburbs that serve as “political incubators,” where candidates can get early experience in politics.

One of the most prominent examples of an elected official going through such a political incubator, Lai said, is Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif, the chair of Congress’ Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.

Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif., speaks during the third day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia , Wednesday, July 27, 2016. Paul Sancya / AP

“She started on the Monterey Park City Council and then worked her way up to State Assembly, then ran in the congressional house district from California that included Monterey Park,” Lai said. “So she kind of built it up that way. And I think that’s a great example of what we’re going to see in California in the future.”

Once candidates successfully make it out of these incubators and into elected office, it enables them to create a pipeline through staffing choices that can enable others to replace them in the future, Lai added.

BUILDING THE BENCH

Outside of government, organizations like CAUSE and the Asian Pacific Islander Community Leadership Foundation also contribute to the pipeline through leadership training.

Annie Lam, executive director of the League of California Cities Asian Pacific Islander Caucus and founder of APIs Mobilize, reaches out to high school students in areas with large AAPI populations and recently launched a training program to teach AAPI legislative staffers leadership and management skills.

“We all have our training programs to help build the bench. And that goes into the infrastructure building,” Lam said. “APIs get elected, then they hire API staff, then we train them so that they move up in the ladder in the legislature.”

By 2040, the number of Asian American registered voters is expected to hit 12.2 million, according to a 2015 study by the UCLA Center for the Study of Inequality and the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies.

But the rapid growth, even with the rise in AAPI political representation and power, does not necessarily mean there will be proportional growth in the political sphere, Lai, the Santa Clara University professor, said.

“You’re already seeing trends within Asian-American communities, this low voter turnout,” he said. “What we need to do is focus on the reasons those gaps exist.”

According to the Pew Research Center, 49.3 percent of Asian voters went to the polls in the 2016 election, less than White (65.3 percent) and Black (59.6 percent) voters and slightly ahead of Hispanic (47.6 percent) voters.

The reasons for the gaps, Lai said, are in part tied to language and systemic barriers.

Some advocates say civic engagement among California AAPIs, especially in recent years, is on the rise.

“I think more and more people are seeing if they don’t vote, they have no say in the issues,” Mary Anne Foo, executive director of the Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance, said. “A lot of these issues affect them on a daily basis, from healthcare to housing to taxes to small business development to access to higher education, poverty.…They see the importance of having that voice.”

Once candidates successfully make it out of these incubators and into elected office, it enables them to create and facilitate a pipeline that will enable others to replace them in the future.

Once candidates successfully make it out of these incubators and into elected office, it enables them to create and facilitate a pipeline that will enable others to replace them in the future.
Foo said she has noticed that Asian Americans are also voicing their opinions in ways other than heading to the polls on election day. Some college students have advocated for Dreamers, as participants in the Deferred Action for Child Arrivals program have become known.

“I think they’re really fired up,” Foo said. “I think I can see more young people running for office.”

As California heads into the future, Bonta said he expects that AAPI political power in the state will continue to grow and strengthen.

Of the 16 Asian-American and Pacific Islander members of the California legislature, 12 are members of the California Asian and Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus, which Bonta chairs. He calls that figure a “historic high.”

“We have momentum moving in the right direction,” Bonta said. “And as we continue to display our API talent in the political world, that will lead to changing attitudes and changing culture that will open up more doors and provide more opportunities for API leaders to step up and lead, and in the process strengthen our API political empowerment.”

The 2018 APA Gubernatorial Debate Will Bring Asian American Issues Front and Center (The Alhambra Source)

Alhambra, CA – Candidates for governor of California will debate each other in a forum focusing on Asian Pacific American issues on April 28 at Pasadena City College.

The forum will include five out of the six top polling candidates in the gubernatorial race, according to a press release from the Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment, which organized it. The candidates include former Los Angeles Mayor Anthony Villaraigosa, State Treasurer John Chiang, State Assemblymember Travis Allen; businessman John Cox and former State Superintendent and Assemblymember Delaine Eastin.

Because Asian Pacific Americans comprise 15 percent of California’s electorate, the vote of this group could have a big impact on the governor’s race, a reality that CAUSE wants to capitalize on. Asian Americans are also the fastest growing ethnic group in the nation, according to the Pew Research Center.

Lt. Gov Gavin Newsom declined to participate in the forum, citing competing commitments. Newsom is the current frontrunner in the governor’s race, with Cox and Villaraigosa centering his platform around opposing sanctuary laws for undocumented immigrants.

For information on how to watch or attend, go here.

記者張宏／洛杉磯市報導

亞美政聯（Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment，簡稱CAUSE）5日晚在洛杉磯市中心舉辦第25屆年度晚宴，今年主題是「就是現在」（The Time Is Now），邀請加州州務卿帕迪拉（Alex Padilla）擔任演講嘉賓，近500位政界及社區人士與會。

帕迪拉表示，今年的主題「就是現在」切合當下的美國社會和亞美政聯主旨，希望更多人投身政治，投身爭取民主權益的隊伍中，投身到為社區服務中。

聯邦眾議員趙美心、Brad Sherman和加州眾議員Rob Bonta、周本立等民選官員也都到場。趙美心祝賀亞美政聯成立25周年，感謝亞美政聯，並為該組織多年來為社區做出的貢獻感到驕傲。趙美心指出，25年來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。只有行動起來才能打破界限，做出改變。

亞美政聯主席胡澤群（Charles Woo）表示，亞美政聯多年來致力於培養亞裔青年領袖，很多人現在都已成為為社區發聲的民選官員和活躍人士，希望他們可以成為青年的楷模，鼓勵更多亞裔從政，在社區中發揮領袖作用。

洛杉磯韓裔市議員柳大衛（David Ryu）獲得「激勵領導獎」（Inspirational Leadership Award），聯邦眾議員趙美心也為亞美政聯主席胡澤群頒獎。

洛杉磯韓裔市議員柳大衛感謝亞美政聯頒予自己這個重要獎項，未來繼續為社區服務。

데이비드 류 시의원 'CAUSE' 리더십 상 (Korea Daily)

데이비드 류 LA 4지구 시의원이 5일 LA 호텔 캘리포니아 볼룸(333 S. Figueroa St LA)에서 열린 아시아계 권익 단체의 하나인 아시안아메리칸연합 권익센터(CAUSE) 연례 행사에서 ‘리더십 상’을 수상했다. 데이비드 류 시의원이 행사장으로 입장하고 있다. 김상진 기자

亞美政聯晚宴 胡澤群獲頒獎 (World Journal)

洛杉磯韓裔市議員柳大衛（David Ryu，左二）獲得「勵志領導獎」。（記者張宏／攝影）

亞美政聯5日晚在洛杉磯市中心舉辦第25屆年度晚宴。（記者張宏／攝影）

記者張宏／洛杉磯市報導

亞美政聯（Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment，簡稱CAUSE）5日晚在洛杉磯市中心舉辦第25屆年度晚宴，今年主題是「就是現在」（The Time Is Now），邀請加州州務卿帕迪拉（Alex Padilla）擔任演講嘉賓，近500位政界及社區人士與會。

帕迪拉表示，今年的主題「就是現在」切合當下的美國社會和亞美政聯主旨，希望更多人投身政治，投身爭取民主權益的隊伍中，投身到為社區服務中。

聯邦眾議員趙美心、Brad Sherman和加州眾議員Rob Bonta、周本立等民選官員也都到場。趙美心祝賀亞美政聯成立25周年，感謝亞美政聯，並為該組織多年來為社區做出的貢獻感到驕傲。趙美心指出，25年來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。只有行動起來才能打破界限，做出改變。

亞美政聯主席胡澤群（Charles Woo）表示，亞美政聯多年來致力於培養亞裔青年領袖，很多人現在都已成為為社區發聲的民選官員和活躍人士，希望他們可以成為青年的楷模，鼓勵更多亞裔從政，在社區中發揮領袖作用。

洛杉磯韓裔市議員柳大衛（David Ryu）獲得「激勵領導獎」（Inspirational Leadership Award），聯邦眾議員趙美心也為亞美政聯主席胡澤群頒獎。

洛杉磯韓裔市議員柳大衛感謝亞美政聯頒予自己這個重要獎項，未來繼續為社區服務。

데이비드 류 시의원 ‘CAUSE’ 리더십 상 (Korea Daily)

데이비드 류 LA 4지구 시의원이 5일 LA 호텔 캘리포니아 볼룸(333 S. Figueroa St LA)에서 열린 아시아계 권익 단체의 하나인 아시안아메리칸연합 권익센터(CAUSE) 연례 행사에서 ‘리더십 상’을 수상했다. 데이비드 류 시의원이 행사장으로 입장하고 있다. 김상진 기자

데이비드 류 시의원 ‘CAUSE’ 리더십 상 (The Korea Times)

데이빗 류 LA시의원이 지난 5일 LA호텔 캘리포니아에서 개최된 제25회 아시안아메리칸연합권익센터(CAUSE) 기금 만찬 갈라에서 ‘인스피레이셔널 리더십 어워드’를 수상했다. 이날 행사에 참석한 데이빗 류(왼쪽) LA시의원이 LA시 최초 아시안 시의원이었던 마이크 우 학장과 함께 했다.

2018 APA-Facing Gubernatorial Debate Secures 5 Leading Candidates 江俊辉将参加2018加州州长候选人辩论会 (AMTV)

Pasadena, CA – March 26, 2018 – Center for Asian Americans United for Self- Empowerment (CAUSE) has partnered with over 70+ community organizations and 15+ press agencies in the Asian Pacific American (APA) community to host the first ever APA facing-Gubernatorial Debate on Friday, April 27, 2018, from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM (PST). Admission to the debate is free and open to the public at the Sexson Auditorium of Pasadena City College (1570 East Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91106).

The selection criteria for candidates to participate in the 2018 APA-Facing Gubernatorial Debate was based on the data results from extensive polling conducted at the time of determination.

The following candidates have confirmed their attendance:

Travis Allen, CA State Assemblyman (R)
John Chiang, CA State Treasurer (D)
John Cox, Businessman (R)
Delaine Eastin, Former CA State Superintendent of Education (D)
Antonio Villaraigosa, Former Mayor of the City of Los Angeles (D)

Candidate Gavin Newsom, CA State Lieutenant Governor has declined to attend the event. Representatives from Newsom’s campaign team officially responded as follows, “Unfortunately based on the large number of debate requests and competing demands for the Lieutenant Governor’s time, we will be unable to attend. For context, by the end of February, we will have already completed seven candidate debates and forums…”

The response drew concern from leaders within the APA community. “The APA community will no longer be associated with being soft-spoken,” said Charlie Woo, Chair of CAUSE. “…we are a community that will not be ignored. Our gubernatorial candidates need to treat us with the same respect as all other communities.”

Paul Song, President of Physicians for a National Health Program California, also chimed in and encouraged candidates to take APA voters seriously. Understanding that the debate has the ability to impact the decision-making process of APA voters, Song emphasized, “We are not a monolithic group, but rather politically diverse and independent minded. Therefore we encourage all gubernatorial candidates not to dismiss this wonderful opportunity and to readily participate in the [debate]. It is very important for each candidate to share their visions, goals, and to speak directly to an important constituency.”

Today, APA communities are the fastest growing ethnic group across the nation. Additionally, more than one-third (5.7 million) of the United States’ APA population resides in California. California is also home to the largest number of APA-owned businesses (32% of the total in the nation) and has a consumer market of $172 billion. With the APA population comprising nearly 15% of California’s electorate, the APA community could potentially decide the outcome of the 2018 elections.