• Column: Advocating for you at the state level

    10/23/2015
    The Commission submitted a guest column to the International Examiner in August updating constituents about the work of Commissioners, staff, and community partners in supporting our strategic plan goals and objectives. Below is an excerpt: Community activists approached the governor four decades ago to develop awareness in state government of the unique needs and challenges of Asian Pacific Islanders (API). As a result, the first state commission in the nation was created to address barriers preventing full equality and inclusion for APIs. In the decades since, the Commission on Asian… Read more

  • Governor Inslee creates subcabinet to boost business diversity

    10/14/2015
    Updated October 5, 2017 Supporting small and diverse businesses in state contracting is a priority for Gov. Jay Inslee and the state of Washington. In July 2015, Gov. Inslee chose 12 of his cabinet agencies including the Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs to form a Business Diversity Subcabinet. The subcabinet is tasked with increasing ways for small and diverse businesses to participate in Washington state contracting opportunities. In October 2015, Gov. Inslee announced that the state of Washington will undertake a disparity study. Following a competitive proposal process, the… Read more

  • 2015 Legislative Session Budget Recap

    08/19/2015
    Legislators began the 105-day regular session in January facing a $2.45 billion revenue shortfall, which included a state Supreme Court order to fund basic education. An additional $2 billion would have been needed to fund voter approved Initiative 1351 to lower class sizes, however, the initiative was suspended for four years. Lawmakers approved new operating and capital budgets, which were signed by the governor on June 30, 2015, and a 16-year transportation plan. The Legislature adjourned after 176 days in session on July 10, 2015 during the third special session. Below is a selection of… Read more

  • New members appointed to the Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs

    08/04/2015
    Gov. Jay Inslee recently announced the reappointment of Lori Wada and made the following appointments to the Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs (CAPAA). Dr. Tam Dinh is the Director of Field Education and an Assistant Professor of Social Work at Saint Martin’s University. Her teaching and research interests are in the areas of diversity and cross-cultural mental health, military social work, and religion/spirituality. Prior to her academic work, Dr. Dinh worked for more than 10 years with individuals and families in clinical and community settings. This experience ranges from being… Read more