New Lunar New Year State Holiday

I want to wish you and your family good health and prosperity, as we celebrate the Lunar New Year. The Year of the Dragon in 2024 is expected to bring favorable conditions for change, and I’m happy to report there’s already one that I’m proud of.

For the first time, Californa’s 116 community colleges have the option of observing the Lunar New Year as a state holiday. That’s because my bill, AB-264, was signed by the governor a few months ago and took effect this year, potentially allowing nearly two million students to commemorate the occasion. Under the legislation, campus leaders can combine Lincoln’s and Washington’s birthdays as one holiday, then add Lunar New Year as another. By doing so, we do not increase the number of days schools are closed.

While the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office does not track how many locations will be participating, our own City College of San Francisco (CCSF) is finalizing plans to celebrate and recognize the Lunar New Year as outlined in my Assembly bill.

Students and staff tell me they’re excited to be allowed to celebrate this important holiday. Asian and immigrant community college students at CCSF and other schools throughout the state no longer have to decide between going to class or celebrating with their loved ones. They can now spend time with family, friends and their community, as well as reflect on their culture and history.

Commemorating the Lunar New Year also has a societal benefit. The holiday can help foster greater cultural understanding during a time when hate incidents against the Asian American Pacific Islander community are still happening. When we give people time to reflect on the special significance of this celebration and create opportunities to learn about each other, we encourage acceptance, not hate.

City College of San Francisco Board of Trustee President Alan Wong started the ball rolling in 2022 by passing a resolution, urging the state Legislature to amend the California Community College Education Code to allow the Lunar New Year observance. I answered the call, stepping up to take this holiday statewide under AB-264 and succeeding. I want to thank everyone who contacted their state representatives, asking them to support my bill.

Let’s celebrate this victory by joining me at two local Lunar New Year events. I will be participating the San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade again this year. It will be held Saturday, Feb. 24, at 5:15 p.m., starting at Second and Market streets. This year’s Grand Marshal is talented actress and rapper, Awkwafina, who was also born in the Year of the Dragon.

Then on Friday, March 1, state leaders, including myself, will be hosting a celebration at our offices at 455 Golden Gate Ave, 1-3 p.m. More details will become available on my website, as the date gets closer.

I hope to see you at one or both events!

Phil Ting represents the 19th Assembly District, which includes the west side of San Francisco along with the communities of Broadmoor, Colma and Daly City as well as part of South San Francisco.