SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Legislative Caucus today announced its budget priorities for the 2026–27 state budget, outlining key investments aimed at combating hate, addressing food insecurity, expanding educational opportunity, improving language access in the courts, and strengthening culturally responsive healthcare.
“The AAPI Legislative Caucus remains committed to ensuring that California’s budget reflects our values of equity, opportunity, and access,” said AAPILC Chair Mike Fong (D-Alhambra). “From addressing the rise in hate incidents to ensuring families can put food on the table, these investments will strengthen communities not just for AAPI Californians, but for all who call this state home.”
The Caucus’ 2026-27 budget priorities include the following:
- $100 million to continue the Stop the Hate Grant Program, which funds community-based organizations providing direct services such as counseling, mental health support, and legal assistance to victims of hate incidents, while also supporting statewide education and prevention efforts.
- $100 million for statewide implementation of ethnic studies, ensuring schools have the resources needed to meet the ethnic studies graduation requirement and expanding access to culturally relevant curriculum.
- $110 million for the CalFood Program to support food banks and food producers as California faces rising food insecurity and increased demand for food assistance.
- $100 million for the CalFresh Fruits and Vegetables Supplemental Benefits Program, helping low-income households purchase fresh produce while supporting California’s agricultural economy.
- $16.9 million to strengthen language access in California courts, addressing the ongoing shortage of court interpreters and ensuring Californians with limited English proficiency can fully access the justice system.
- $15 million annually to make acupuncture a permanent Medi-Cal benefit, expanding access to non-opioid pain management and culturally responsive healthcare.
The AAPI Legislative Caucus will continue working with legislative leadership and budget committees in the coming months as the state budget process moves forward.
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