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Monday, July 8, 2019

Ting Proposes New Changes To California’s Clean Car Rebate Program

(San Francisco) – Recognizing that the state must do more to meet its greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals, Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) unveiled AB 1046 today to drastically reform the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP), California’s existing rebate program for clean cars. The proposal gears up efforts to get more zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) on our roads and do so at a faster pace than ever before. Modeled after the state’s solar rebate program, the revamped CVRP would initially increase the rebate amount given to consumers. Then, as market penetration grows, the rebates would decline over time.

“There is no real incentive to buy or lease a zero-emission vehicle right now if consumers know the rebate level will be the same year after year – or even worse, run out during the year,” said Ting. “But if consumers have certainty that the rebates will diminish as time goes on, they might act sooner rather than later.”

Since transportation accounts for nearly 40% of GHG emissions in California, cleaner cars are key to reducing harmful pollutants from the air we breathe and helping slow the climate crisis. Then-Governor Jerry Brown issued an Executive Order last year, calling for five million ZEVs to hit the road by 2030. California still has a long way to go – at the beginning of 2019, there were only 550,000 clean cars estimated on its roads. Reform of the rebate program envisioned through AB 1046 would spur greater adoption of ZEVs.   

SSI Recipients Now Eligible for CalFresh

Monday, July 1, 2019

CalFresh is a crucial safety net program that helps qualified families put food on the table. For decades, though, people who received Supplemental Security Income (SSI), typically individuals with disabilities and seniors, were banned from also receiving CalFresh. Many faced the terrible choice of buying food or paying bills, like rent, healthcare and utilities.

As of June 1, 2019, Californians can be in both SSI and CalFresh. New food benefits could average $110 per month. This could be life-changing for many SSI recipients. For more information or to apply, please visit the Department of Social Services:  http://www.cdss.ca.gov/food-nutrition/calfresh.

Thursday, June 27, 2019

(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, released the following statement after Governor Newsom signed the 2019-2020 budget for California. Ting’s statement is as follows:

Ting Calls New State Budget 'Our Best Yet'

California’s latest budget is an incredible and historic spending plan that invests in our long-held priorities and restores cuts made during the Great Recession, while still maintaining healthy reserves to protect programs through the next economic downturn. I commend Governor Newsom for setting the expectation that bold actions are necessary to build a stronger state. The Legislature shares that same progressive vision, which includes strengthening social infrastructure to lift families from homelessness and poverty; opening the door to more educational opportunities from pre-school to college; and closing the gap on universal health care. This is our best state budget yet.

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Wednesday, June 26, 2019

(Sacramento, CA) – Effective July 1, 2019, California law enforcement must release body camera footage within 45 days of a critical incident, as required under AB 748 by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), signed into law by Governor Brown last year. The new mandate aims to increase police transparency by making the recordings available to the public. 

“Public access to body camera footage is necessary to boost confidence and rebuild trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve,” said Ting. “This law sets clear expectations for agencies - they can no longer withhold body camera video or audio from us.”

Ting's Landmark Police Transparency Law Requiring the Release of Body Camera Footage Begins July 1

Prior to the passage of AB 748, California had no consistent policy regarding the release of body camera recordings. In April of 2018, the Los Angeles Police Commission adopted a policy similar to the new state law. But other departments commonly cite “pending investigation” as a reason to deny requests for footage under the Public Records Act. Such secrecy fosters mistrust after a critical incident, which AB 748 defined as the discharge of a firearm or use-of-force that causes death or great bodily harm.

Footage from body-worn cameras can help shed light and provide clarity when there is confusion in the community after tragic events. The footage can even help clear law enforcement of any perceived wrongdoing. If releasing body camera recordings interferes with an investigation, AB 748 also allows for subsequent 30-day extensions.

“AB 748 is a groundbreaking measure that will establish a statewide standard to ensure law enforcement agencies promptly release police recordings,” said Kevin Baker, Legislative Director for the ACLU of California. “Police recordings can be a valuable tool for civilian oversight at a time of great concern with police violence. Increasing transparency in this area of policing is critical to protect public safety and repair police-community relations.”

As a follow up to AB 748, Ting is working on legislation, AB 1215, this year that would prohibit law enforcement from using facial recognition software in body cameras. Such technology defeats the purpose of body cameras, which are typically adopted to bolster community relations and trust. The addition of facial recognition software would essentially amount to 24-hour surveillance without consent. In addition, face scanning technology routinely misidentifies people, particularly women, youth and people of color. AB 1215 is currently eligible for a Senate Floor vote that could send the proposed ban to the Governor by the September 13th bill deadline.

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Tuesday, June 25, 2019

DMV to Close Offices Statewide for Half-Day on July 24Sacramento – The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will close its offices statewide for a half day on July 24, 2019, to better prepare employees to process REAL ID transactions and reinforce training on providing excellent customer service.

Operation Excellence: DMV Training will result in more consistent customer experiences statewide and equip employees with the tools they need to handle an unprecedented volume of REAL ID applications, which are more complex and take more time to process.

The training will take place at 183 DMV field offices, Commercial Drive Test Centers and Industry Business Centers throughout the state. More than 5,000 employees will receive the training at their home offices, which will open for business at 1 p.m.

“Our employees are at the heart of every transaction we perform,” said Kathleen Webb, DMV acting director. “With this commitment to training, we can ensure they have the proper tools, knowledge, and experience to provide excellent customer service to the people of California.”

Operation Excellence is an initiative of the DMV Reinvention Strike Team, which Governor Gavin Newsom created in January to lead a comprehensive modernization and reinvention of the DMV with an emphasis on transparency, worker performance, speed of service and overall consumer satisfaction. The Strike Team was created in response to long wait times in DMV field offices, which were exacerbated by the federal government’s REAL ID requirements.

More info here. 

Know Your Rights

Friday, June 21, 2019

Assemblyman Ting immigration rights cards english

U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) will reportedly move forward with a plan to remove, arrest and deport families with court-ordered removals in 10 cities, starting Sunday, June 23.

It's important to know that, even if you are not a citizen of the United States, you have rights. You are protected.To that end, please review this Know Your Rights Card for more information.

As the proud son of immigrants, whose parents came here for a better life and to pursue the American Dream, I voted for Assembly Bill 450. It prohibits employers from allowing ICE agents on private business property without a warrant.

It also:

  • Prevents employers from voluntarily sharing confidential employee information without a subpoena.
  • Requires employers to notify their workers before a federal audit of employee records.
  • Prohibits employers from re-verifying information on employment verification forms, unless compelled to by federal law.

We will continue to fight in the courts to block dangerous and unjust policies. We will fight in the Legislature to advance our California values of justice, inclusion, equity and opportunity. And we will fight to empower all of our people with information about their rights and existing protections to help keep families from being torn apart.

Thursday, June 13, 2019

STATE BUDGET REFLECTS LONG-HELD VALUES AND PRIORITIES, SAYS TING

(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, released the following statement about the State Legislature’s passage of the 2019-2020 budget for California.  An Assembly Budget Committee overview of the spending plan is available here.  Ting’s statement is as follows:

“California’s long-held values and priorities are prominently reflected in the new state budget. Strong revenues allow us to make investments that ensure our state’s unparalleled prosperity touches all Californians. That includes strengthening social infrastructure to lift families from homelessness and poverty, opening the door to more educational opportunities from pre-school to college, and closing the gap on universal health care. We accomplish all this while still having healthy reserves to protect these programs through the next economic downturn. This is how we demonstrate leadership in California.”

Wednesday, June 5, 2019
Ting Names Two Organizations as District's Non-Profits of the Year

Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) named two organizations as his district's Non-Profits of the Year:

  • The San Francisco Bike Coalition promotes bicycles for everyday transportation, making the city's streets and neighborhoods easier to navigate. You can read more about them here.
  • YBike San Francisco teaches kids how to ride bikes and become more confident on city streets. You can read more about them here.

Congratulations to both and thank you for the work you do in our community!

Tuesday, June 4, 2019
Ting Stands with Housing Coalition Pushing to Solve State's Housing Crisis

Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) is proud to stand with a housing coalition pushing to pass legislation centered around: Production, Preservation & Protection. Their package includes three of his housing bills: 

  • AB 68 and  AB 69 make it easier to build Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), like in-law units, granny flats and backyard cottages
  • AB 1486 gives more affordable housing projects priority on surplus govt land
Friday, May 31, 2019

Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) shares his commitment to moving California toward clean cars by 2040. If we want clean air, we need clean cars.