Skip to main content

California Lawmakers Approve 2022 COVID-19 Sick Leave

The California Legislature has approved a bill requiring workers receive up to two weeks of paid time off if they get sick from the coronavirus. 

Employees are entitled to 40 hours of PTO going back to January, but this time, there's no federal money to offset the cost. Asm. Vince Fong (R), Vice Chair of the Budget Committee, said without help from the federal government, the cost could be troublesome.

.... Chairman Phil Ting (D) said he recognizes that burden.

Public Officials, Caltrain Celebrate Foundation Completion of Electrification Project

Caltrain is celebrating the completion of the foundation of its electrification project, which officials say will provide a cleaner and easier commute in the Bay Area.

Public officials from around the Bay Area came to mark the completion and the placement of the final gold bolt on the San Francisco foundation on Friday following four years of construction, two of which happened during the COVID-19 pandemic.

'You Can't Recycle Your Way Out': California's Plastic Problem and What We Can Do About It

California dumps more than 12,000 tons of plastic into landfills every day — enough to fill 219 Olympic-size swimming pools, according to CalRecycle, the state's recycling and waste management agency. The state boasts one of the highest recycling rates in the country, especially of cans and bottles, but despite decades of investment in infrastructure and machinery, the system remains overwhelmed by plastic.

New/Expanded Testing Sites For Northern San Mateo County

South San Francisco Multiple sites (OptumServe/LHI):

  • *In process: Mater Dolorosa Church. One day/week, target start date: 1/24; additional days to be added in following weeks.
  • *Additional sites in process.

South San Francisco, Linden Lot (Carbon)

  • *Tuesday through Friday, 8a-12noon.
  • *New site, target start date: 1/18

Daly City, JUHS District Administration Offices (Curative): 

San Francisco ADUs Are Being Built Mostly in the Richest Parts of the City

California’s uphill battle against its housing crisis has increasingly called upon a small but powerful actor: the accessory dwelling unit, or ADU.

Often referred to as in-law units or granny flats, traditional ADUs are small dwellings that are located on the same lot as an existing home, and typically have their own kitchens and bathrooms. ADUs can also refer to converted garages, boiler rooms and other sections of apartment buildings turned into housing.

Ting Statement on Governor’s January Budget

Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, released the statement below regarding Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2022-23 budget proposal:

“We’re a stronger state when we are all doing better. Clearly, with Omicron cases surging, we should consider taking some early budget actions to respond, including more COVID sick time. In the long term, we must continue making sure California’s strong economic recovery touches every resident. We do that by following through on the bold investments we made in last year’s budget, which are working to lift up Californians still struggling from the pandemic. I’m happy to see a number of the Governor’s priorities is aligned in the Assembly Budget Blueprint, Delivering Prosperity & Strengthening the Future, unveiled last month, including:

California Bill Would Make It Easier To Sue Gun-Makers

Some Democratic California lawmakers want to make it easier for people to sue gun companies for liability in shootings that cause injuries or deaths, a move advocates said Tuesday is aimed at getting around a U.S. law that prevents such lawsuits and allows the industry to act recklessly.

...

California Assembly member Phil Ting of San Francisco unveiled a bill on Tuesday modeled after the New York law, which is being challenged in court by gun-makers.