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Tuesday, August 14, 2018

San Francisco API Community Celebrates Diversity in Film at Crazy Rich Asians ScreeningAssemblymembers David Chiu (D-San Francisco) and Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) Monday night joined San Francisco API community leaders to celebrate diversity in film before a screening of Crazy Rich Asians. Speakers highlighted new diversity reporting elements in Senate Bill 871, the film tax credit law that was recently signed by Governor Jerry Brown, and how this legislation could lead to greater Asian and Pacific Islander (API) representation in Hollywood.  

“Representation in entertainment matters,” said Assemblymember David Chiu. “I believe the faces we see on screen should be a reflection of the faces we see around us every day. Increased reporting requirements could lead to greater diversity in entertainment and the making of another groundbreaking film like Crazy Rich Asians.”   

Senate Bill 871, signed into law in June by Governor Brown, addresses disparities in API media representation by requiring the California Film Commission to collect aggregated diversity information from applicants hoping to receive incentives from the California Film Tax Credit. Additionally, the bill requires applicants to provide a summary of their voluntary programs to increase the representation of minorities and women.

“Crazy Rich Asians proves you can make a good movie with a diverse cast and crew,” said Assemblymember Phil Ting and Vice-Chair of the API Caucus. “We want to encourage more studios to look at our community for talent. By adding diversity statistics in the application process for tax incentives, we’re motivating television and film projects to move the needle toward inclusion.”

The press conference took place before a screening of Crazy Rich Asians, the first major motion picture in 25 years to feature a predominately API cast.

Monday, August 13, 2018

Sacramento, CA - The State Assembly is helping California renters stay in their homes with today’s passage of Assembly Bill (AB) 2219 by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco). The bill requires landlords to accept third-party rent payments under certain circumstances. Tenants struggling to make their rent sometimes turn to relatives or non-profit organizations for financial assistance in order to avoid eviction. But some landlords have refused such payments, putting families on the street.

“Skyrocketing rents in our state have made finding and keeping affordable housing very challenging,” said Ting. “California already has the highest homeless population in the country. The law must ensure renters can stay in their homes when someone is willing to step in with payment assistance.”

According to a 2017 report by the California Department of Housing and Community Development, about 1.5 million households, or one-third California renters, pay more than half of their income toward rent. Refusal of third party rent payments disproportionately affects vulnerable groups, such as seniors and the disabled.

Friday, August 3, 2018

Ting Joins Mayor Breed to Open New Navigation Center in San FranciscoSan Francisco, CA— Mayor London N. Breed announced the grand opening of Division Circle Navigation Center, which will help those living on the streets transition indoors and into permanent housing.

Division Circle will provide support and services for up to 125 individuals at a time. The Navigation Center is supported by State funds secured by Assemblymember Phil Ting and will occupy underutilized Caltrans land.

“This Navigation Center will help us get people off the streets and transitioned into permanent housing,” said Mayor Breed. “It is not enough to merely get people indoors, we know that we need to provide services to ensure they do not end up back on our streets. As a result of our strong partnership with our State representatives, we will be able help our most vulnerable residents get the care and shelter they need.”

Division Circle is located on land leased from Caltrans that was previously used as a parking lot. As a result of AB 857, introduced by Assemblymember Phil Ting, the City is able to use underutilized Caltrans locations like this one for emergency food and shelter programs at affordable rates.

“Navigation Centers combine shelter with services and have been a critical tool in moving people toward permanent housing. However, resources are limited. California has stepped up to support San Francisco so we can attack this homelessness crisis together,” said Assemblymember Phil Ting, Chair of the Budget Committee, who helped secure $10 million in last year’s state budget to open two more Navigation Centers in the City. “I look forward to working with Mayor Breed to implement more solutions.”

Navigation Centers are designed to serve San Franciscans struggling with homelessness who are often resistant to traditional shelters. Unlike traditional shelters, they allow people to bring their partners, pets, and belongings with them. In addition to room and board, case managers provide support to connect them with employment opportunities, health services, public benefits, and permanent housing.

Wednesday, August 1, 2018

Success leads to $10 million more in state funding

Assemblymember Phil Ting discusses nutrition incentivesSan Francisco, CA  - A new report, Market Match Impact Report, from Berkeley’s Ecology Center finds that giving CalFresh recipients incentives to buy fresh food at farmers’ markets leads to healthier diets. The program is called Market Match, and it enables low-income shoppers to get twice as much produce than they normally would. For instance, if they spent $10 of their benefits at the farmers’ market, they would get another $10 to spend on fresh produce. After two years, CalFresh recipients reported that:

  • 73% increased the amount of fresh fruits & vegetables they buy each week
  • 71% say their family’s health has improved
  • 67% increased the number of trips to the farmers’ market

Researchers also found that changes in dietary intake, likely from nutrition incentives, were sufficient to result in a 1.7% reduction in Type 2 diabetes cases which, in California, translates into health care savings approaching $469 million a year. “Fresh food fuels a healthy lifestyle. By supporting local farmers, Market Match invests in our community and local economy,” said Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), who helped secure state funding for the program as Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee. “Since the boost in funding, Market Match has seen a 453% jump in transactions.”

In 2015, the U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded the Ecology Center a $3.7 million Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) grant to expand the Market Match program. Ting then helped secure $5 million in the state budget for California’s own grants to support programs like Market Match.

Citing the success of these public investments, Ting also announced an additional $10 million in funding from the latest state budget to extend the state grant program. “The Ecology Center is grateful that these funds have been secured for this incredibly popular and effective program because demand for Market Match currently outstrips supply. Now, more farmers’ markets and low-income shoppers will be able to participate,” says Ecology Center Food and Farming Director Carle Brinkman.

For more information about Market Match, please visit: www.MarketMatch.org.

Ting Urges Californians to Oppose Citizenship Question on 2020 Census Form

Monday, July 30, 2018

Ting Urges Californians to Oppose Citizenship Question on 2020 Census FormThe federal government is accepting public comment through August 7th on the Trump administration's proposal to add a citizenship question to the census form. Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) opposes it.

“Every person counts, and California needs to make sure everyone is counted in our 2020 Census. Billions of dollars in federal funding and California’s representation in Congress are at risk.  We must oppose the citizenship question, which is only being used to discourage our community from filling out the census form.  Please join me in submitting your disapproval online to the Trump administration by the August 7th deadline,” said Ting.

Click here to submit your opposition.

 

Friday, July 20, 2018

Ting Sets Hearing Date To Find Solutions To Long Waits at the DMVCountless numbers of Californians have been complaining about the extraordinarily long wait times at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Even those with appointments are not being seen in a timely manner. To see how the Legislature can make improvements, Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) has called a hearing to be held on August 7th at the State Capitol.

“I experienced long lines myself when I visited the San Francisco office last week. They were unbelievable. What Californians are experiencing at our DMVs is unacceptable,” said Ting. “It’ll get worse if we don’t fix it now because more and more Californians will be switching from their current driver license or state ID to the new federally-compliant Real ID card.” (This picture show the line I encountered at the DMV in San Francisco.)

Beginning October 2020, a Real ID is necessary to board a domestic flight or enter a federal facility. In anticipation of a growing demand to meet the deadline, the new California state budget allocated $16 million to the DMV to:

  • Hire about 400 new people by mid-Fall
  • Increase the number of offices offering Saturday service & expand those hours to every Saturday starting August 4 (currently 43 offices are open every 1st & 3rd Saturday)
  • Upgrade the self-service kiosks
  • Allow customers to start application process online for driver licenses and state IDs

“I’ve heard of people waiting seven hours to be seen as walk-ins. Online appointments are two months out with slots often available after their license or car registration has expired. This hearing will help us determine the best course forward and whether this year’s state funding is adequate,” said Ting, who is Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee.

While August 7th at 11:00 a.m. has been set for the DMV hearing, a room number at the Capitol has not yet been assigned. More information to follow as the date gets closer.

Friday, July 13, 2018

Saturday hours aim to cut down long lines at DMV officesIn a continuing effort to address wait times at field offices throughout the state, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is increasing the number locations offering Saturday service. Starting August 4, 17 offices, including the one in Daly City, will be added to the current list of 43 sites open an extra day. Click here to see a complete list of locations open on Saturdays. Most transactions can be performed, except behind-the-wheel exams.

The DMV began Saturday service in June at select offices on every first and third Saturday of the month.  The San Francisco location was on that initial list. But Assembly District 19 will now have two offices open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every Saturday:

  • 1377 Fell St, San Francisco
  • 1500 Sullivan Ave, Daly City

Online appointments may be made up to 90 days ahead of time here. This is a good opportunity for Californians to upgrade their driver license to a Real ID. To see what documents you need to bring for this new, federally-compliant identification card, please click here.

New State Budget Helps District's Projects and Programs

Monday, July 9, 2018

New State Budget Helps Local Projects and ProgramsAs Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, I am pleased that the $200 billion spending plan makes the right investments and reflects our community's values to address our state's homelessness crisis, invest in our youth and help lift families out of poverty. Plus, we're able to do all that while still setting aside sizable reserves, in case of an economic downturn.

In our district, which encompasses the Westside of San Francisco, along with the communities of Broadmoor, Colma and Daly City, the latest state budget includes funding for:

  • Homeless Emergency Aid: As part of $500 million in matching grants going to our state's cities, San Francisco will receive $27 million for homeless services, including shelters and supporting housing. At least 5% of those funds must be spent on homeless youth. If we can arrest the cycle of homelessness when a person is younger, it is more likely that we can keep him or her housed long-term.
     
  • Seawall Rehabilitation: The crumbling seawall that runs from Fisherman's Wharf to AT&T Park was built in 1879. This budget includes $5 million for renovations so it can better withstand an inevitable earthquake and the effects of sea level rise due to climate change.
     
  • Diaper Program: San Francisco will receive $2.5 million to provide diapers to low-income families with infants or toddlers. In the fifth-largest economy in the world, no family should ever have to go without essentials like diapers.
     
  • Education Infrastructure Improvement: San Francisco Unified School District will receive $4 million, and San Francisco City College will receive $2.4 million to upgrade aging infrastructure.
     
  • New Community Center in the Richmond: $2 million will help finish a new community center in the Richmond District which will provide services for immigrant youth and parents, house several non-profits and host neighborhood meetings.
     
  • Daly City's Doelger Senior Center and Pacelli Event Center: $1.5 million will fund the much-needed replacements of the roofs of the Doelger Senior Center and Pacelli Event Center in Daly City's Westlake Park, enabling these facilities to continue serving the community far into the future.
     
  • SF LGBTQ Museum of History and Culture: The budget includes $250,000 to help jumpstart an important project combining the museum and archives of the GLBT Historical Society into one building. The museum's current space is far too small to mount more than a few small exhibits, and creating a new space for the Historical Society's archives will allow them to be accessible to even more researchers from around the world.
Monday, July 2, 2018

(Sacramento) - Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, joined Governor Brown as he signed the 2018-2019 State Budget. The budget makes the right investments and reflects many of California’s values, yet there is still a sizable reserve set aside for unexpected emergencies. “In California, we are now the fifth largest economy in the world, and at the same time, we have the largest number of people in poverty and this Budget really tackles both of these issues," stated Ting. 

My statement regarding the passage of AB 1838/SB 852:

Thursday, June 28, 2018

My statement regarding the passage of AB 1838/SB 852It’s a terrible dilemma: choose either a temporary halt to taxing grocery items or a permanent requirement mandating a two-thirds vote on local tax increases. Given the difficulty in reaching the 66% threshold and the importance of retaining flexibility to raise revenue for ever-growing local needs, we had no choice but to take the lesser of two evils. Without a way to meet the rising costs of critical services, necessities like public safety, education and transportation would surely suffer cuts. For instance, San Francisco’s Prop G, a parcel tax that funds pay raises for teachers, passed earlier this month with 60.76% of the vote. If the restrictive initiative bankrolled by billionaire corporations became law, Prop G would be invalidated even though the majority of voters agreed with it, resulting in more hardworking teachers leaving our expensive city. AB 1838/SB 872 is our only option for a viable future. But that doesn’t mean our work against diabetes, obesity and other negative effects from sugary drinks is over. We will continue to fight for a healthy California.