A group of California lawmakers is seeking $200 million over three years as part of their budget proposal to help fight the rising anti-Asian hate crimes in the state.
Proposal to combat anti-Asian hate: The California Asian & Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus (APILC) released its budget proposal on Wednesday, detailing where the $200 million would go in its attempt to stop the hate crimes against Asian Americans, according to AP News.
- In its budget breakdown, the California APILC will give most of the budget ($109.5 million) to “Victims Services & Prevention.” This budget will help non-profits and community groups to provide “legal services, health care, mental health, victim’s compensation, or counseling” for free.
- Other areas to allocate the budget include the “Statewide Hate Crimes Hotline” ($10 million), “Culture and Economic Development” ($20 million) and “Safe Schools for AAPI Students” ($20 million).
- Lawmakers have until June 15 for their budget to receive approval before the fiscal year starting July 1.
Other details: The budget proposal will have long-term plans, such as continuing support for Stop AAPI Hate, establishing interpreters to help limited-English residents access services and expanding its data collection on the “needs, challenges, and barriers” of AAPI. Lawmakers will allot $10 million to each of these areas.
- $500,000 will also be set aside for a “15-member racial bias task force” at the California Department of Justice.
- $10 million is budgeted for administrative purposes, with $7 million towards creating “partnerships with ethnic media as trusted messenger” of the hotline and development plans. $3 million will go towards staff.
- Members of the caucus include caucus chairman Democratic Senator Richard Pan of Sacramento and Phil Ting, a Democrat from San Francisco, heading the Assembly Budget Committee.
Featured Image via Jason Leung
