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Bill Howe, Secretary of the Asian Pacific American Coalition: Photo by Marie KuhnLawmakers are considering the formation of an Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission, to advocate for this rapidly-growing population.

The Commission would represent the voices of the Asian-Pacific community on legislation at the state house.   Currently, African-Americans and Latinos are represented by their own state commissions.

Bill Howe, secretary of the Asian Pacific American Coalition who worked to put this bill together, says the growing Asian population needs a commission to speak for them.  He spoke on WNPR's Where We Live.

"People are here, they're working, they're paying taxes, they're voting. These statistics show that Asian Americans have the most consistent voting record of any ethnic group. Once we start voting, we consistently vote. So we're becoming an active part of the community. At the same time, too, because of the economic circumstances, we have many different situations where people are still suffering in the richest state in the union."

While only eight percent of Asian Americans live below the poverty line, a growing number of recent immigrants face language barriers, stereotypes and discrimination.  

Jack Hasegawa, Education Consultant for the Dpt. of Education: Photo by Marie KuhnJack Hasegawa is a consultant with the State Department of Education. He says another obstacle is access to health care - and translators at hospitals.  

"They have their school aged children who are the families interpreters, and if you have an adult problem, like a gynecological problem, and you have your 8 year old son or daughter with them as the only one who can translate and you are dealing with medical terms, it's very difficult. And it really compromises the capacity to get the right kind of treatment."

Co-sponsor of the bill, State Representative William Tong says funding for the commission is included in the Democrat's Budget proposal, and he is hopeful that it will pass this year.