Get to Know: Assemblymember David Chiu

The CalAsian Chamber’s Listening Tours have historically been a chance for locally-elected leaders to connect with those that they represent. The intentionally small attendance setting creates an open space for local small businesses and other community members to freely share their concerns and hold a constructive conversation with them. They have the opportunity to ask questions about the legislator’s priorities, future challenges, and understand what these topics may mean for their businesses.

Assemblymember David Chiu represents California’s 17th Assembly District, which encompasses eastern San Francisco, and on October 5th, the CalAsian Chamber will host a Listening Tour for the community to engage with him. He also serves as Chair of the California API Legislative Caucus (APILC). As state legislator, Chiu’s current priorities are addressing the California affordability crisis with major investments in important programs in health care, housing affordability, homelessness, and education. His vast prior experience as President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, a criminal prosecutor, a civil rights attorney, and Small Business Commissioner makes him well prepared to advocate for California citizens.

In 2018, Chiu authored 14 bills including:

• AB 2184 – Immigrant Business Inclusion Act
• AB 2923 – BART Transit-Oriented Development
• SB 866 – Preventing Anti-Labor Practices

He also fought to include $90M in the 2018 budget for outreach and education to ensure accurate counting for the upcoming 2020 Census.

In 2019, Chiu authored 11 bills including:

• AB 456 – Prompt Payment Sunset Elimination
• AB 1340 – Gainful Employment
• AB 1482 – Tenant Protection Act of 2019

He also allocated funding from the 2019 budget to important programs such as Health4All, Low Income Housing Tax Credit, and the Commission on Asian & Pacific Islander American Affairs.

Currently, he is focusing on passing legislation that will lead to increased housing protection during this crisis. AB 3088, will prevent evictions for non-payment of rent for tenants financially impacted by COVID-19.

“This will not be the ultimate solution to addressing COVID-19 evictions, but will tide us over for the next five months. This gives us the time to reconsider our options next legislative session and potentially work with a new federal administration on economic relief for struggling tenants and property owners.”

As part of the APILC, an organization that represents and advocates for API communities, Chiu and the APILC announced several COVID-19 Response Proposals in May 2020. According to Chiu,“This package seeks to alleviate some of the economic, political, and societal burdens on our API communities in California.”

One of the 5 bills they are supporting on top of these budget proposals is Assembly Bill 2598 proposed by Assemblymembers Rob Bonta (D-Oakland) and David Chiu, which will increase transparency and give local communities a greater say in local law enforcement agencies.

Additionally, in June 2020, the APILC announced it’s support for ACA 5 which would lift the affirmative action ban imposed by Proposition 209 in 1996. According to Chiu, “Removing the ban will allow for more equal opportunities in public contracting, public employment, and public education for all, including Asian Americans.”

Assemblymember David Chiu is determined to create policies that will better serve the citizens of California. On October 5, 2020, he will be addressing his priorities for this year during the CalAsian Chamber-hosted Listening Tour. For all people who are interested in upcoming policies, this is your chance to have a conversation with this elected official!

Let your voice be heard and register for the upcoming Listening Tour now!

For more information on the 17th Assembly District Member and his policies, check out his website at https://a17.asmdc.org or visit the API Caucus website: https://apicaucus.legislature.ca.gov/.