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MAY 2023 ISSUE



EDITORIAL: OVER A CUP OF TEA



Are we gambling the Filipinos’ future in South China Sea?



Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos has decided to choose the United States side in the present China-US power struggle in South China Sea. Unlike his predecessor, former President Rodrigo Duterte, Marcos made it clear that he is not willing to cede any part of the Philippines to China. As we all know, the People’s Republic of China has occupied a lot of small islands (and reclaimed several) in the South China Sea, ignoring the 2016 ruling of the International Arbitration Court that China’s claim to most of South China Sea was illegal. Despite repeated diplomatic complaints against China’s aggressive behavior towards Filipino fishermen fishing within the Philippine Economic Zone and the Philippine Coast Guards monitoring the safety of our people and the security of our legal boundaries, China has remained deaf to our concerns. China has installed military installations in the area and has gradually made a clear preparation for the invasion of Taiwan which mainland China claims as a renegade province and must be reunited with PRC even through force. -- READ MORE



our STORIES AND FEATURES





WCAP Event Highlights Partners in Indigenous-Led Conservation



By Angelo Villagomez and Joel Moffett



The Biden administration’s America the Beautiful Initiative is a national call to action to work collaboratively to address climate change, improve access to nature for all Americans, and conserve and restore 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030. The initiative recognizes that conservation is not only about protecting nature, but also about enhancing quality of life. That is why the initiative makes the sovereignty and rights of Tribal nations a core part of its vision. - CLICK STORY TO READ MORE


What the U.S. Must Bring to the 2023 U.N. Loss and Damage Negotiations To Address Climate Change Impacts



By Cassidy Childs


Last year at the annual U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP27), countries agreed to establish funding arrangements responding to climate-related losses and damages. The agreement represented a historic win for climate-vulnerable countries who have been fighting for acknowledgement and compensation for losses and damages since the 1990s. This year, countries will produce recommendations on how to operationalize this new loss and damage fund through a Transitional Committee. In these discussions, the United States should champion climate justice and center the needs of the most vulnerable communities, offering solidarity, constructive negotiating positions, and credible finance solutions.-- CLICK STORY TO READ MORE



Strengthening Access to Housing for People With Criminal Records Is Key to Successful Reentry




​By Justin Dorazio


Since 2017, April has been recognized nationally as Second Chance Month to raise awareness about barriers to reentry and catalyze reform efforts that provide real opportunities for people with a criminal record. Between 70 and 100 million Americans—about 1 in 3 people in the United States—have some type of criminal record, limiting their access to education, jobs, housing, and other resources. Unfortunately, reentry processes are often ineffective and filled with collateral consequences that restrict, hinder, or disqualify individuals from accessing public and private benefits, lessening the likelihood of successful reentry. -- CLICK STORY TO READ MORE



To Defend Democracy, the U.S. Must Hold Both Friends and Foes Accountable



By Kate Donald and Heba Malik


Last week, the White House’s second Summit for Democracy convened government officials and democracy defenders from across the world. The cause is urgent: New research by the V-Dem Institute shows that 42 countries are currently in the process of “autocratizing,” and Freedom House has found that, globally, it is the 17th consecutive year of democratic backsliding. At the summit, representatives pinpointed and pored over these worrisome trends as well as other important threats to democracy—from Russia and China to corruption and the threat of unregulated digital spaces. These conversations are necessary, but they are far from sufficient. -- CLICK STORY TO READ MORE



Bank Failures Highlight Need for a Strong and Independent CFPB



By Lillith Fellowes Granda & Crystal Weise


The recent failures of three banks—Silvergate Capital, Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), and Signature Bank—are a reminder of the importance of strong financial laws and regulations to ensure that financial institutions operate in a safe and sound manner and that the public is protected. The Federal Reserve, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and the Department of the Treasury all stepped in to avert the worst consequences for these banks’ depositors and facilitated the sale of assets to other banks. The decisions to backstop affected deposits and provide much-needed liquidity were crucial to quelling public uneasiness and containing further runs within the banking system—all without rewarding mismanagement by the bank owners. -- -- CLICK STORY TO READ MORE



AI is Having a Moment—and Policymakers Cannot Squander the Opportunity to Act




By Dr. Alondra Nelson
Technological innovation can present new possibilities, including longer, healthier lives safer workplaces and equitable economic opportunity. But, as we have been reminded in recent months, with the public debut of generative artificial intelligence (AI) applications—and, soon after, the realization of their potentially socially corrosive impacts—these beneficial outcomes are not preordained. They must be boldly envisioned, intentionally designed, and continually pursued by policymakers, developers, industry, researchers, advocates, and the public. -- CLICK STORY TO READ MORE


LOCAL NEWS



MADISON & DANE COUNTY in Wisconsin



Dane County Executive Joe Parisi Names State Representative Shelia Stubbs Director of Dane County Human Services



Investing in South Madison



MORE NEWS/FEATURES



CAPAC Members Recognize AANHPI Equal Pay Day





WASHINGTON, D.C., Apr 5, 2023 — Today, Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) recognize Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Equal Pay Day, the date when AANHPI women’s average earnings catch up to what white, non-Hispanic men made in the previous year. On average, AANHPI women make only 80 cents on the dollar compared to white men, and disaggregated data show significantly wider gaps. To mark AANHPI Equal Pay Day, CAPAC Members issued the following statements:


CAPAC Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28): “It shouldn’t take AANHPI women an average of 16 months to earn what white men make in one year, often for the same work. And when we examine the disaggregated data, many AANHPI women face even wider wage gaps—with Native Hawaiian women only making 61 cents for every dollar, and Bangladeshi and Nepalese American women making less than 50 cents. It is shameful that discriminatory wage gaps on the basis of race and gender persist in our country, and it is vital to women, their families, and to our economy that Congress address these injustices. Today on AANHPI Equal Pay Day, and every day, I will continue to fight for fair and equal wages for all AANHPI women.”--READ MORE





Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal – the first Indian Asian American woman to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives





Born in Chennai, India in 1965, Jayapal grew up in India, Indonesia, and Singapore. At the age of 16, she came to the US to attend college, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in English and Economics from Georgetown University. Afterwards, she earned her MBA from Northwestern University. Jayapal initially worked as a Wall Street financial analyst after college, but her experience of being an immigrant drew her to community organizing.


Jayapal, who had just become a naturalized citizen at the time, realized America’s perception and treatment of migrants would drastically change following the September 11 attacks of 2001. In its aftermath, immigrants of color – particularly Muslim and Sikh community members – experienced government targeting and hate crimes. In response to the xenophobia, Pramila Jayapal founded OneAmerica (formerly known as Hate Free Zone) in 2001.


One of OneAmerica’s many accomplishments was when they won a ruling that determined that the Bush Administration’s deportations of Somali immigrants were illegal in 2003. Jayapal organized the pro bono legal efforts, and this ruling prevented the deportation of more than 2,700 people around the US. With OneAmerica, Jayapal also launched the largest voter registration drive in Washington state history in 2008 – over 23,000 people! --READ MORE



OCA Congratulates Glenn D. Magpantay on His Appointment





Washington, D.C. — OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates released the following statement regarding the appointment of Glenn D. Magpantay to the United States Commission on Civil Rights:


As a longtime supporter and member of OCA, we are delighted to see the appointment of Mr. Magpantay to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (USCCR). With his years of experience as a voting rights advocate, he would be a great addition to the Commission. Amidst the spike of anti-Asian racism, it is essential that a member from the Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs) community is present at the table when issues like these are discussed. Thus, we commend U.S. Senate Majority Leader Schumer on the Senate’s choice in appointing Mr. Magpantay to the USCCR.


We congratulate Mr. Magpantay on his appointment, and we look forward to continuing to work together to advocate for the AANHPI community.-- READ MORE



UNABLE TO CONTINUE WORKING?? There should be help. Social Security Disability and SSI - Programs designed to help individuals who are disabled from work. IF YOU APPLY FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY AND/OR SSI AND YOU ARE DENIED, THERE IS HELP! Call 1-800-254-7766



Become a Part of the Dane County Team!


We offer a wide range of benefits including fully paid dental and HMO health insurance premiums for full time employees. The County will also provide contributions towards POS health insurance premiums, retirement, and short/long term disability. Additional benefits available include long term care, vision coverage, flex spending account and deferred compensation programs paid in full by the employee, and 6 weeks of paid parental leave for birth or adoption of a child (for further details visit www.countyofdane.com/emprel).


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Contact





heidipascual2016@yahoo.com