Issue: Diversity & Inclusion

Q The Asian American Resource Center (AARC) opened in 2013, thanks to the vision and hard work of the city and Asian American community leaders. Its charter is to promote cultural enrichment, provide social services and expand educational development for the entire community in the city and county. The Asian American community has worked with city management in developing culturally significant programs at the AARC and together, we have made AARC the most sought after city-owned facility in Austin. We are now re-starting our work to update the Master Plan on Phases II and III. The City has also completed a task force (Bond Election Advisory Task Force) that has recommended some funds for this effort: but it is not deemed to be sufficient. Do you commit to work with the Asian American community to include requested funds in the 2018 bond and to promote further the development of the AARC?

Asked by Asian American Resource Center

Q The Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce is a key organization supporting Asian American businesses in Austin and in their outreach to Asian countries as evidenced by their support of the mayor’s recent trip to Asia. Do you agree to continue your support for the GAACC at or above current levels in the coming years if elected / re-elected to the City Council?

Asked by Asian American Resource Center

Q The Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce is a key organization supporting Asian American businesses in Austin and in their outreach to Asian countries as evidenced by their support of the mayor’s recent trip to Asia. Do you agree to work with GAACC at the city or county level to promote economic development of the city at large and Asian American businesses?

Asked by Asian American Resource Center

Q How familiar are you with the culture and diversity of Asian Americans here, and what steps do you plan to take to enhance your understanding and to stay abreast of issues that are important to Asian Americans?

Asked by Asian American Resource Center

Q The internship program instituted by APAPA and IACT is proving to be a success story in promoting greater participation and interest in elected offices in the city, county and state- level among Asian American youth,. Would you agree to support greater internship opportunities at your office for Asian American HS / college-level youth?

Asked by Asian American Resource Center

Q The City of Austin and Travis County have a goal of reflecting the ethnic diversity of the community they serve; however, less than 1% of city or county executives are Asian Americans. Will you implement checks and balances, and review procedures to correct any inconsistencies or unfair treatment of Asian Americans in the workforce, including problems that may arise from a lack of understanding of cultural differences?

Asked by Asian American Resource Center

Q The City of Austin and Travis County have a goal of reflecting the ethnic diversity of the community they serve; however, less than 1% of city or county executives are Asian Americans. Will you regularly monitor the numbers of employed Asian Americans in diversity reports, and can you describe how you could help to close the gap when necessary? And would you consider meeting with Asian American leaders to review progress in this area?

Asked by Asian American Resource Center

Q The City of Austin and Travis County have a goal of reflecting the ethnic diversity of the community they serve; however, less than 1% of city or county executives are Asian Americans. Do you commit to greater representation of Asian-Americans in government by increasing hiring, training and promoting of qualified Asian-Americans?

Asked by Asian American Resource Center

Q This is a question that recurs every election cycle. Asian Americans are the fastest growing community, comprising nearly 7% of the Greater Austin population. However, Asian Americans are underrepresented on boards, commissions and committees addressing issues and policies pertaining to the city, the county or the state, though some improvements have taken place in the past 2-3 years. To address this disparity, what steps do you plan to take to nominate additional Asian-Americans to serve on boards, commissions and committees?

Asked by Asian American Resource Center

Q Please characterize your support for an ambitious plan to reduce cost of living and allow residents more freedom to live in the neighborhood of their choice, through allowing a variety of home types in all neighborhoods (particularly west and central Austin) and eliminating residential occupancy limits which stigmatize and harass the poor. Please characterize your support for an ambitious plan for 2020 bond issue for light rail, to increase access for those who cannot afford to maintain a car.

Asked by Democratic Socialists of America