Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Civil Rights topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
AAPI Commission asks for $586,188 to expand outreach, surveys and language access amid rising discrimination reports
Summary
The Massachusetts Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Commission told the Joint Committee on Ways and Means that it needs $586,188 in FY26 (aligning with the governor's proposal) to continue community events, launch a statewide disaggregated data survey and expand youth and regional engagement as federal supports wane.
Saathbic Alaewaleya (chair) and Executive Director Yasmin Badmashis Forbes presented the AAPI Commission’s FY26 request to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means, asking the committee to approve $586,188 (the governor’s House 1 figure) to continue and expand community outreach, disaggregated data collection and language access.
Commission role and rationale The commission described itself as the Commonwealth’s single permanent state agency dedicated to Asian American and Pacific Islander residents (estimated 505,000 people, or roughly 8% of the state population). The commission said AAPI respondents to state surveys report discrimination and that the White House initiative for AANHPI communities has been revoked, creating an urgent state‑level role.
Planned uses of funding The commission said funding would support: the first statewide, disaggregated AAPI survey (with UMass Boston and partners) to inform evidence‑based policymaking; expansion of the AAPI Youth Council; grants to community organizations; language access and targeted mental‑health events; and deeper outreach to refugee and Pacific Islander communities.
Local work examples and metrics The commission said it has held multiple culturally responsive events and listening sessions across the state, funded 9 organizations in a recent grants round, and is leading the statewide survey to help disaggregate AAPI data by ethnic group and region.
Legislative ask Chair Alaewaleya asked the committee to approve the governor’s proposed FY26 funding so the commission can continue its current programming and scale new data and outreach efforts as federal supports decline.
