Publication: CalMatters
Richard Milton walked out of his medical appointment in Culver City into the noon sun. He needed to get back to the garage space he calls home. Black, 66, and a proud Army veteran, Milton has struggled with homelessness for years. “The garage is my sanctuary,” he said. “I have privacy there.”
Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, released the following statement about today’s passage of the 2021-22 state budget:
“It’s a privilege to have a hand in crafting such a historic and transformational state budget that will have lasting impact on Californians for decades. We are meeting the challenges of today – helping individuals, families and small businesses still struggling as a result of the pandemic – while also investing in tomorrow with priorities like infrastructure, university expansion, affordable housing supply and climate resilience.
I’m especially excited about the strides we’re making in early care and education, as we reform childcare rates, achieve universal transitional kindergarten, bring per-pupil spending to an all-time high, and expand access to higher education with more slots and financial aid. We are also taking the steps to build up mental health services for those students who have or will be dealing with the effects of a prolonged period of distance learning.
While we are addressing these critical needs, we’re further expanding vital social safety net programs, addressing homelessness in record levels and ensuring our economic recovery touches all communities. We’re seizing every opportunity to move California forward like never before.”
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Publication: KPCC Radio & LAist
It’s a small line item in the hulking state budget passed today, but a $200 million package to fund Asian American and Pacific Islander initiatives is unprecedented in its size and scope.
Publication: Los Angeles Times
The California Legislature on Monday approved a $100-million plan to bolster California’s legal marijuana industry, which continues to struggle to compete with the large illicit pot market nearly five years after voters approved sales for recreational use.
Los Angeles will be the biggest beneficiary of the money, which was proposed by Gov. Gavin Newsom to be provided as grants to cities and counties to help cannabis businesses transition from provisional to regular licenses.
Publication: KQED Radio
Shortly after a gunman in San Jose killed nine people and himself at a Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority rail yard on May 26, local and state officials put a renewed focus on California's "red flag" law, asking if it could have prevented the massacre.
Formally known as a gun violence restraining orders (GVRO), the law is designed to allow courts to take guns away from people who are deemed a danger to themselves or others. In 2014, California became one of the first states in the country to enact such legislation.
Publication: Sacramento Bee
In April 2017, Nandi Cain Jr., who is Black, was beaten by a Sacramento police officer. Following a verbal altercation, Officer Anthony Figueroa threw Cain to the ground and punched him repeatedly.
Cain’s alleged offense? Jaywalking.
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Publication: San Francisco Chronicle
If California wants drivers to switch to electric cars en masse over the next decade, it must prepare by building charging stations at a much faster pace — or risk drivers not having enough places to plug in away from home.
New analysis from the California Energy Commission (CEC) shows the state will need nearly 1.2 million public and shared chargers by 2030 to meet the fueling demands of the 7.5 million passenger plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) anticipated to be on California roads.
More than 73,000 public and shared chargers have been installed to date, with an additional 123,000 planned by 2025. These numbers fall short of the state’s goal of 250,000 chargers by 54,000 installations. The Governor’s proposed 2021–22 budget includes $500 million to help fill the gap and ensure essential infrastructure arrives as more Californians go electric.
“To make the evolution to zero-emission vehicles successful, California must have a robust charging infrastructure. The assessment shows we must now scale up our installation efforts, building out our charging network in order for electric vehicle adoption to be as seamless as possible. With our mission set, I’m committed to keep our state marching toward a greener future,” said Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee and author of AB 2127.
To read more from the CEC's press release, click here.
Read the full report here: 
AB 2127 EV Charging Infrastructure Assessment
SACRAMENTO — Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood), Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee Chair Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), and Assembly Budget Chair Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) issued the following statement regarding the Legislative Version of the 2021-22 State Budget:
Publication: Courthouse News
Plans for California’s skyrocketing tax revenues came into focus Tuesday as Democratic lawmakers unveiled their “historic” vision for the state’s next budget.
Though the total spending mirrors Governor Gavin Newsom’s May budget proposal, the Legislature’s plan includes more money for big-ticket items like climate change, wildfire prevention, affordable housing and expanded health care coverage for undocumented residents.