News - Washington State Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs

January Newsletter: Legislative Session, Board Meeting, and Other Opportunities

Legislative Session Updates The Washington State Legislature is scheduled to convene for the 2022 Legislative Session on Monday, January 10. At the moment, both the Senate and the House of Representatives plan to hold committee meetings and floor votes virtually. The situation will be reassessed every two weeks, and may move to a hybrid model later in Session depending on the COVID-19 situation. Members of the public will have opportunities to participate, such as through virtual lobby days and providing virtual testimony. All committee and floor action will be streamed to TVW. If you would like to contact legislators, you may do also so via phone or email. We will publish [...]

By CAPAA|2022-01-21T20:13:05-08:00January 7th, 2022|Events, Featured, Jobs, News|

CAPAA Congratulates Kendee Yamaguchi, Appointed Seattle Deputy Mayor

CAPAA Congratulates Kendee Yamaguchi, Appointed Seattle Deputy Mayor Seattle Mayor-Elect Bruce Harrell has announced that Snohomish County Executive Director Kendee Yamaguchi will be appointed as Deputy Mayor of Seattle. A former CAPAA Executive Director, Yamaguchi will bring a legacy of public service to the position. "Following the footsteps of notable community leaders before me, I hope to carry on the legacy of AAPIs who have served our City," Yamaguchi said on the announcement. "I am honored and excited to take this shining city forward alongside Seattle's first mayor of Asian ancestry." CAPAA Executive Director Toshiko Hasegawa celebrated the announcement, saying, "Kendee Yamaguchi is a true servant to the people [...]

By CAPAA|2021-12-29T15:09:18-08:00December 29th, 2021|Featured, News, Statements|

NEWS RELEASE: Commissioner Yasmin Trudeau Appointed to State Senate, Becomes First Bengali & Muslim to Serve in Legislature

Commissioner Yasmin Trudeau Appointed to State Senate, Becomes First Bengali & Muslim to Serve in Legislature News Release Contact: Yasmin Trudeau | 714-474-3190 | Yasmin.trudeau@capaa.wa.gov For Immediate Release November 5, 2021 OLYMPIA – On Tuesday, November 2nd, Yasmin Trudeau resigned from her position as Commissioner on the Washington State Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs (CAPAA), effective immediately, to serve as the State Senator for the 27th Legislative District. Senator Trudeau will serve the remainder of the term of former State Senator Jeannie Darnielle (27th LD – D). She is the first Muslim and first Bengali American to serve in the Washington State Legislature. “It is an honor and a privilege to serve the [...]

By CAPAA|2021-11-05T14:41:43-07:00November 5th, 2021|News, Press Releases, Statements|

Join the Commission!

Opportunity Announcement Contact: Rosa Mai | rosa.mai@capaa.wa.gov | (206) 370-9554 November 5, 2021 Join the Commission! The Washington State Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs (CAPAA) is currently accepting applications for candidates to serve the diverse ANHPI constituency of Washington State. CAPAA is a small, cabinet-level state agency comprised of three staff and 12 Governor-appointed Commissioners representing the geographic and cultural diversity of Washington State. Its mission is to improve the well-being of ANHPI Washingtonians by identifying and examining issues impacting them. Its role is to advise the Governor, state legislature, and state agencies on services, programming, and changes to law. Together with staff, Commissioners work in partnership with communities and state leaders to respond to [...]

By CAPAA|2021-11-05T14:40:38-07:00November 5th, 2021|Featured, Jobs, News, Statements|

September Board Meeting Information

September Public Board Meeting The Commission will convene its Public Board Meeting on Saturday, September 18, from 10 AM – 1 PM. Based on guidance from the Department of Health related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) response, the meeting will be held remotely via video conference call. A dial-in option will also be available for those who are unable to access the meeting electronically. Zoom Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88973334521?pwd=R1pLdXRoeEdNVmtxZmVycFM2STNuQT09 Meeting ID: 889 7333 4521 Passcode: 789697 One tap mobile +12532158782,,88973334521#,,,,*789697# US (Tacoma) +16699006833,,88973334521#,,,,*789697# US (San Jose) This is a barrier-free event. Requests for accommodations, including translation or interpreter services, should be made to <brenda.obrien@capaa.wa.gov by Friday, September 10th, 5 PM PT. DOH [...]

By CAPAA|2021-09-17T14:24:38-07:00September 17th, 2021|Featured, Jobs, News|

September Newsletter: Join us for our public board meeting!

September Public Board Meeting The Commission will convene its Public Board Meeting on Saturday, September 18, from 10 AM – 1 PM. Based on guidance from the Department of Health related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) response, the meeting will be held remotely via video conference call. A dial-in option will also be available for those who are unable to access the meeting electronically. The link to participate and dial-in information will be available along with the meeting materials to the general public on CAPAA’s website prior to the meeting. Members of the public wishing to provide public comment may contact Project Coordinator Brenda O’Brien at <brenda.obrien@capaa.wa.gov> with the following information: name, [...]

By CAPAA|2021-09-02T15:39:15-07:00September 2nd, 2021|Jobs, News|

August Newsletter: COVID-19 Updates, Job Opportunities, and Upcoming Events

COVID-19 Updates As Washington state COVID-19 hospitalizations reach an all-time high, Governor Inslee has announced several restrictions and requirements to address the public health crisis. Effective Monday, August 23, all individuals are required to wear masks in public indoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status. Additionally, Governor Inslee announced vaccine mandates for state employees, private health care workers, long term care workers, and educators. This includes (but is not limited to): State workers in executive cabinet agencies, regardless of teleworking status On-site contractors K -12 educators School staff Coaches Bus drivers School volunteers Higher education faculty and staff Licensed, certified and contracted early learning and childcare programs License-exempt early learning, childcare and [...]

By CAPAA|2021-08-19T15:36:26-07:00August 19th, 2021|Events, Featured, Jobs, News|

Meet Our New Commissioners!

CAPAA Bids Farewell to Three Commissioners At CAPAA, we are truly fortunate to work with 12 incredible appointees who serve as ardent community advocates. In the past three years, the call to serve the public has never been more urgent. CAPAA Commissioners worked tirelessly to honor and amplify the voices of community members, particularly during the global pandemic. With hearts full of gratitude, we bid farewell to three tremendous public servants finishing their terms of service. As they move on from CAPAA, they leave behind large footprints and bigger hearts. Commissioner Lori Wada, one of the longest-serving Commissioners in CAPAA history, has served CAPAA in a number of capacities. [...]

By CAPAA|2021-08-04T13:28:47-07:00August 4th, 2021|Featured, Jobs, News|

June Public Board Meeting Information

CAPAA Public Board Meeting The Commission will convene its Public Board Meeting on Saturday, June 26, from 10 AM – 12:30 PM. Based on guidance from the Department of Health related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) response, the meeting will be held remotely via video conference call. Zoom Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84893398225?pwd=QXl2VXZMZi9QNkpnQ1ZodnlINHNtUT09 Meeting ID: 848 9339 8225 Passcode: 047973 One tap mobile +12532158782,,84893398225#,,,,*047973# US (Tacoma) +16699006833,,84893398225#,,,,*047973# US (San Jose) This is a barrier-free event. Requests for accommodations, including translation or interpreter services, should be made to brenda.obrien@capaa.wa.gov by Friday, June 18, 5:00 PM PT. Happy Pride Month! Governor Jay Inslee, upon request from the Washington State LGBTQ Commission, signed the 2021 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, [...]

By CAPAA|2021-06-24T15:57:08-07:00June 24th, 2021|Featured, Jobs, News|

May Newsletter: Happy AANHPI Heritage Month!

Happy AANHPI Heritage Month! AANHPI Heritage Month is an opportunity to reflect on our history, our heritage, and our future. The last year has been especially difficult for our communities, with the pandemic worsening existing racist disparities in our health care systems, especially for our NHPI and COFA families. The pandemic also brought medical scapegoating, with Asians and Asian Americans facing increased hate incidents as politicians sought to place blame for an uncontrollable virus. All of this pain is a part of our history, but we're also more than just this pain. We are more than media narratives, we are more than the barriers we face, we are more than [...]

By CAPAA|2021-05-10T12:34:56-07:00May 10th, 2021|Events, Featured, Jobs, News|