ALBANY (March 20, 2024) -- On Wednesday, March 20, New York Assembly Asian Pacific American (APA) Task Force Co-Chairs Assemblymember Grace Lee and Assemblymembers Zohran Mamdani, along with representatives from the Equity Budget Coalition, called for ensuring critical funds for the AAPI community of remain in the budget. AAPI communities, constituting at least 11% of New York State’s population, are the fastest-growing demographic. Despite the ‘model minority’ myth, nearly one-third of NYC’s AAPI population is low-income. Historical underfunding hinders AAPI community-based organizations from meeting our diverse community needs. Currently, Anti-Asian hate, including Islamophobia and Anti-Muslim incidents, has further impacted our community. We are urging the Governor, Speaker, and Majority Leader to allocate $30 million in funding for nonprofits working on-the-ground in Asian communities, $2 million to fund the Asian American & Asian Research Institute (AAARI) at CUNY, and $350,000 for the creation of the SUNY Asian Leadership Institute.

"CACF appreciates the New York State Senate for the restoration of $30 million to the AAPI Equity Budget in the One-House Budget.  The AAPI Equity Budget is a holistic investment in New York State’s Asian American and Pacific Islanders which not only focuses on lifting up our communities at a time when they continue to face anti-Asian hate but also strengthens the culturally responsive and linguistically accessible resources our AAPI-led and -serving community-based organizations provide to New Yorkers each day," said Co-Executive Directors Anita Gundanna and Vanessa Leung of The Coalition for Asian American Children and Families. "As co-leaders of the Equity Budget Coalition –  a diverse group of over 130 AAPI-led and -serving organizations across New York State — we have seen firsthand just how much our community’s need for culturally responsive support has grown in recent years. With this move, the New York State Senate is sending a clear message to AAPI New Yorkers that their needs are being seen and addressed in the halls of power."

“New York’s Asian population is the fastest growing demographic in the state yet has been historically underfunded and overlooked. This year, we must pass a budget that changes that,” said APA Task Force Co-Chair Assemblymember Grace Lee. “We are calling for $30 million in funding for nonprofits working on-the-ground in Asian communities, $2 million to fund the Asian American & Asian Research Institute (AAARI) at CUNY, and $350,000 for the creation of the SUNY Asian Leadership Institute. I thank Speaker Heastie for his ongoing support to make Asian New Yorkers feel seen and heard by our government; the APA Task Force will continue to work with the Speaker to ensure this critical funding is included in the final budget.”

"AAPI New Yorkers are the fastest growing group in our state. By matching last year’s record investment of $30M, our the Legislature’s One-House proposals take a historic step towards providing those very communities the resources they need to thrive here in our state. In adding an additional $2 million to fund the Asian American & Asian Research Institute (AAARI) at CUNY and $350,000 to create of the SUNY Asian Leadership Institute, we are not only protecting our communities of today, but also investing in the policies and the leaders of tomorrow,”APA Task Force Co-Chair Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani said.

"Historically, AAPI communities have been underfunded and overlooked. It’s encouraging to see New York State beginning to address this by increasing investment in the last few years. However, with anti-Asian hate crimes and discrimination still ongoing, there is much work to be done. Our fight is to secure another $30 million for our AAPI Equity Budget Coalition to continue our efforts to support the ongoing needs for essential social services. This funding will be directed towards addressing public safety, mental health, and educational issues within the AAPI community," said Senator Iwen Chu. "This year, we are also advocating for additional funding for AAPI initiatives at CUNY and SUNY. By prioritizing AAPI research and programming, and by developing curricula and textbooks that include AAPI history, this investment will greatly benefit both our current and future generations."

State Senator John Liu stated, “Whether battling years of anti-Asian hate or fighting for equal representation in our history school books, the Asian American experience continues to be one that requires a combined showing of strength, advocacy and determination. It is only with a unified voice that the AAPI community, which continues growing at a rapid clip, but still struggles with high poverty rates, may succeed in undoing years of underfunding and underrepresentation. The state legislature once again provides $30 million in the State budget to help fund the community-based organizations who work every day to uplift the AAPI community, and we urge the governor to fully support this funding so that we can meet the diverse needs of our community.”

“The AAPI community is not only the fastest growing population across all of New York State, it’s also the fastest growing population in Upstate New York,” said Senator Jeremy Cooney. “Last year, I had the honor of hosting the first-ever Upstate New York AAPI Summit to bring together organizations from Buffalo to Albany and the message was clear: our communities need more support from the state. In last year’s state budget, we delivered $30 million in funds for AAPI nonprofits and community organizations. I’m proud that this year’s Senate one-house budget included even more investments and I’m committed to making sure we deliver for the AAPI community once again in this year’s final budget.”

“I am proud to stand with my colleagues to advocate for continued funding in this year’s budget to provide much-needed resources to AAPI organizations across various sectors working to uplift our community every day. This funding is another important step towards promoting the well-being and success of the AAPI population in New York, as well as to continue addressing the unique challenges and inequalities we face,” said Senator Kevin Thomas.

“I want to thank the co-chairs and executive director of the AAPI Task Force for pushing to fully fund Asian American organizations that are providing invaluable services. Together, we will continue fighting for a final budget that will keep Asian Americans and immigrants safe and engaged in our communities,” said Assembly Member Ron Kim.

"In 2024, we achieved a historic victory through the allocation of the $30 million AAPI Equity Budget to support our AAPI communities in New York State. This year, both the Senate and Assembly have unequivocally declared their intention to sustain this investment beyond a single occasion, by incorporating a complete renewal of funds in their respective proposals. Now, more than ever, it's crucial to affirm our dedication to AAPI New Yorkers by investing in their communities and the Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) that stand with them. I am eager to collaborate with my fellow legislators to ensure the AAPI Equity Budget continues to be a priority in our final FY25 budget,” said Assemblymember Steven Raga.

Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar: “As the first South Asian-American woman ever elected to New York State Office, I am proud to have helped secure $30 million in funding for the AAPI community. It was possible because so many APA Task Force members were the first people elected from their respective communities, giving us influence at the table of power. This record funding will infuse our AAPI organizations with vital support to promote our welfare, safety, and culture. At a time when anti-AAPI hate crimes in New York City have increased 820%, this investment will promote peace and respect for AAPI New Yorkers. This builds upon my work with the APA Task Force that was essential to passing my historic bills to make Diwali a public school holiday, as well as my bill to create the first ever New York State Asian American and Pacific Islander Commission.”

Assemblymember Chris Burdick: “In a perfect world, every person would have the same opportunities, safety, privileges, and access to services, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, etc. Unfortunately, we don’t live in a perfect world so we must do our best to fix inequities and protect those that need protecting. This is why I’m advocating for the AAPI funding in the upcoming budget.” 

Assemblymember Ed Braunstein: “New York’s diverse Asian American and Pacific Islander community is the fastest growing population demographic. However, our AAPI communities have faced historical underfunding,” said Assemblyman Edward Braunstein. “I am proud to lend my support to the NY State AAPI Equity Budget, which seeks to invest in the community-based organizations working on the ground to offer comprehensive services and support to AAPI New Yorkers. I will continue to work with my colleagues and the Governor to ensure that this critical funding is included in the final budget.”

Assemblywoman Sarah Clark said, “I’m proud to stand with the Equity Budget Coalition and my colleagues on the APA legislative task force to call for the inclusion of AAPI funding in the FY24-25 final budget. These dollars will directly support our community based organizations, including several in the Rochester region, who provide vital services for our AAPI neighbors including everything from education services, cultural programming and assistance for refugees.”

President Frank Wu of the City University of New York, Queens College, said, “Asian Americans have long been part of this great nation. We are finally being recognized. Our communities contribute, and our communities also have needs. This is a moment when we can be supported like others pursuing the American dream.”

“The AAPI Equity Budget Coalition continues its historic fight to ensure that Asian American Communities are prioritized in the State Budget. For years, our communities have been severely under-resourced in the New York State Budget. As Asian American New Yorkers make up over 10.8% of the State’s Population and over 2.1 million New Yorkers, we are here to inform our legislators that Asian American non-profits provide life-saving and essential Social Services. We are grateful to our legislative champions, community partners, and allies for lifting up our voices.“ Andrew Sta. Ana, Deputy Director of Research and Policy, Asian American Federation.

"Our diverse AAPI communities are the fastest growing racial group in New York and the continued investment by New York State into funding specifically for AAPI led and serving community-based organizations across New York is critical to addressing urgent and growing community needs," said Wayne Ho, President & CEO of the Chinese-American Planning Council. "We are hopeful for the inclusion of this full AAPI Equity Budget in the final State Budget to support critical programs on community safety, food insecurity, mental health, civic engagement, and more in immigrant and low-income communities. We thank our partners in the State Legislature for their leadership and commitment to AAPI New Yorkers." 

"CIDA hopes that this Equity Budget will provide a springboard to establish increased inclusion, language access, and services that AAPI families deserve" says Dr. Young Seh Bae, Executive Director of CIDA. "This is especially true for AAPI families who are affected by disabilities, who are typically uninformed, underserved, and unrecognized in equitable opportunities as valued citizens of New York."

"We are immensely grateful for the $30 million allocation in the one-house budgets, a clear reflection of the strong support from our legislative champions and the APA Task Force. This funding is a vital step towards making New York a state of hope, inclusivity, and equity. As we stand at a crucial juncture, our ask to the Governor, Speaker, and Majority Leader is to recognize the importance of prioritizing our AAPI communities in the final budget. Our efforts aim to address the rise in hate crimes, provide mental health support, and foster a safe, dignified environment for all New Yorkers, marking a significant stride in our journey towards a more equitable state. Let's continue to work together to ensure every individual can thrive, irrespective of their faith or ethnicity." - Husein Yatabarry, Executive Director, Muslim Community Network

"The restoration of last year's historic $30M to the AAPI communities of New York State is vital to continuing our fight against food insecurity and to maintain our youth development programs." Chi Loek, former Executive Director of UA3, Inc. in NYC.

We are grateful for $30 million allocation in both one-house budgets. Thank you to our champions in the legislature for supporting this funding and our work,” said Dr. Bhavana Pahwa Board Member of the Asian Women’s Alliance for Kinship and Equality (AWAKE). AWAKE is the only non-profit organization exclusively serving South Asian victims of domestic violence and providing women’s empowerment services in Westchester and Rockland County. 

“CoRe would like to thank the APA Task Force, our Legislative Champions and the entire AAPI EBC for its continued fight for $30 million in the New York State Budget. CoRe is a housing legal services organization that works for tenants and tenant associations throughout Brooklyn and Queens, and it is clear we need more funding for our communities city and state-wide.” Jack Hsia, Skadden Fellow, Communities Resist

For more information, please contact Felicia Singh, CACF’s Director of Policy and Government Relations, at fsingh@cacf.org.

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