Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY -- In the face of proposed state budget cuts that would ax the State Office of Ethnic Affairs, Salt Lake County officials urged the Utah Legislature and Gov. Gary Herbert to honor their commitment and dedication to the needs of the state's ethnic community.
It (the office) doesn't have anything to do with immigration. It has to do with facilitating the communities and making the state responsive to the communities.
–Jani Iwamoto
A resolution endorsed by the County Council and backed by Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon Tuesday said, in part, that "it is in the best interest of the state and Salt Lake County to address issues of concern that impact the ethnic community promoting inclusiveness and cultivating a high level of trust between state government and the ethnic community."
Councilwoman Jani Iwamoto, a sponsor of the resolution, said she supports the office because of the diverse nature of Salt Lake County's population. For instance, one third of the preschool age children in the county are ethnic minorities.
"It (the office) doesn't have anything to do with immigration. It has to do with facilitating the communities and making the state responsive to the communities," said Iwamoto.
The office's budget of more than $700,000 has been recommended for elimination in the face of $16 million in proposed state budget cuts.
"As I far as I recall, no other office has had their budget completely eliminated," said director Jesse Soriano of the Legislature's ongoing budget deliberations.
Councilman Randy Horiuchi called the Legislature's proposal short-sighted considering that ethnic minorities will be the majority in Utah by 2050. Salt Lake County is especially diverse, he said.
"If they end up cutting it, it hurts us more than them," said Horiuchi, also a sponsor of the resolution.
Others on the council questioned why fiscal analysts chose the Office of Ethnic Affairs, which was created by executive order in 1972. Soriano said the governor supports restoring the office's funding. Lawmakers would have to answer why this particular office was targeted for cuts, Soriano said.
Councilman Arlyn Bradshaw said the county maintained funding for its Office of Diversity Affairs amid difficult economic conditions.
Bradshaw, who is gay, said he "understands what it is like to be a minority. I understand the emotions involved when you feel supported or targeted by your government."
Community activist Archie Archuleta said funding for the office must be restored, he said. "A complete cut is unacceptable and certainly sends an ugly message," said Archuleta.
E-mail: marjorie@desnews.com
