Sac Bee: Newsom Has Closed 3 Prisons; Now Lawmakers Are Planning To Shut More

The day after California officials announced the state will close its third prison, a top Democratic lawmaker indicated more shutdowns may be in the pipeline. A Budget Blueprint that Assembly Budget Chair Phil Ting, D-San Francisco, released on Wednesday suggested the state should close three more prisons over the next three years, in addition to the two facilities already slated for closure in 2023. Ting’s proposal follows the state’s announcement that it will close Chuckwalla Valley State Prison in Riverside County by 2025.

KCBS: How Should CA Handle The Projected 2023 State Budget Deficit?

After two years of unexpectedly large budget surpluses, California faces a budget deficit next year for the first time since 2020. The shortfall is projected at about $24 billion dollars, but luckily the state has socked away billions in its reserves and rainy day fund. The question now is should California dip into that piggy bank to balance the books next year, or cut spending or delay some programs as recommended by the state’s legislative analyst?

Assembly Blueprint Aims to Make Government Work for All Californians

San Francisco – Over the past ten years, the Assembly has prioritized planning for inevitable revenue shortfalls while ensuring that meaningful progress has been made to serve Californians. In today’s unveiling of his 2023-24 Budget Blueprint, Serving California: Making Government Work, Assembly Budget Chair Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) emphasized protecting the progress made over the last ten years.

“We have spent a decade preparing for revenue shortfalls, and with the robust General Fund reserves and Rainy Day Fund, California is prepared to weather future economic downturns while still prioritizing the gains that we have made in K-12 and early childhood education, our higher education institutions, homelessness support, and health care,” said Ting. “Thanks to this planning and the voters for supporting Proposition 2, there are many solutions available to us to ensure that access to vital services and programs won’t be cut.”

Ting Introduces Legislation to Reduce Gas Price Spikes

Sacramento – Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) yesterday introduced ABX1 1, which intends to address the record-high gasoline price spikes from earlier this year and aims to ensure that preventable price increases don’t occur again due to supply issues.

“Many Californians faced increased prices at the pump, coupled with growing inflation,” said Ting. “It is unacceptable that at one point drivers were paying at least $2.50 per gallon more than the national average. We need to do what we can to ensure that gasoline prices don’t increase due to preventable supply issues.”

ABX1 1 would ensure that more than one oil refinery cannot be undergoing scheduled maintenance at a time. According to the American Automobile Association, at least six of California’s 14 oil refineries were not operating or only partially operating for maintenance in October when the high price spike occurred, greatly reducing the supply of refined gasoline.

Asian Journal: Online Platform Becomes Essential Tool In Fight Against Hate Incidents

n February of 2020, Covid-19 had not yet hit American shores.

But even before the pandemic emerged in the U.S., Manju Kulkarni, executive director of the AAPI Equity Alliance, noticed a menacing trend: the rise in hate-motivated violence and speech targeting Asian Americans, fueled by former President Donald Trump’s xenophobic remarks on the origins of the virus and its carriers. “The China virus,” proclaimed Trump. “Kung Flu,” he stated, to his cheering fans on the campaign trail.

KCBS: San Francisco Celebrates Chinatown Rose Pak Subway Station Opening

A Historic Ride took place this morning in San Francisco celebrating the opening of Muni's Chinatown Rose Pak subway station that connects Chinatown with Mission Bay.

One of those present for the first ride out of the station was Assembly Member Phil Ting. Click the link below to listen to the live interview.

SacBee: Legislative Leaders React To Budget Woes

After the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office released its grim report that California faces possible deficits of up to $25 billion, Democratic leaders put on a brave face, promising to protect existing budget priorities from cuts.