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Ting Statement on First Report From the Committee On Revision of the Penal Code

Assembly Budget Chair Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) released the following statement regarding the first report issued by the Committee on Revision of the Penal Code, established by the Budget Act of 2019:

I have long advocated for a more fair and just criminal justice system, successfully enacting legislation that created an avenue for resentencing, a diversion program for first-time misdemeanor offenders and a new standard for the elderly parole program. Clearly, we have more work to do, and this new report gives us a road map that keeps California moving toward equity. Changes to our laws and the way we hand out punishment can be made without sacrificing public safety, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in pursuit of the committee’s recommendations.

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Ting Statement On Lowell High School Vote

Ting Statement On Lowell High School Vote

Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), a parent of two children attending San Francisco public schools, released the following statement prior to today’s board vote on the future of Lowell High School’s merit-based admissions policy:

Every San Francisco Unified School District student deserves the same academic rigor and foundation that has helped numerous Lowell graduates succeed. But every Lowell student also deserves a safe, inclusive place to learn, which is why I condemn recent and past instances of racism that have occurred at the school and hope students’ demands for change are taken seriously. We can achieve both standards by focusing on equity, ensuring students of all backgrounds have access to and can experience similar educational opportunities. Rather than eliminating Lowell’s merit-based admissions policy, let’s continue to reshape its culture and replicate its academic success across all of SFUSD’s high schools, so every student has the necessary tools to follow their dreams.

EDD Mishandled California Unemployment Claims, Auditor Says

Publication: San Francisco Chronicle

In a scathing report, California’s auditor said the state Employment Development Department flubbed handling the deluge of unemployment claims triggered by the pandemic, leaving the door open for massive fraud while forcing many legitimate claimants to struggle for benefits.

The agency now is likely to be swamped trying to fix its mistakes, while many Californians may be forced to repay benefits EDD failed to adequately monitor, the report said.

The 78-page report’s title summed it up: “EDD’s poor planning and ineffective management left it unprepared to assist Californians unemployed by COVID-19 shutdowns.” EDD knew for years that its claim process and call center were plagued by problems and failed to prepare for an economic downturn, the report said.

State lawmakers, who are besieged by constituents desperate to get their benefits, said the auditor validated what they had observed.

“Government is supposed to be there for its people, especially now when they need help the most,” said Assembly Member Phil Ting, D-San Francisco. “Based on that metric alone, EDD has failed to deliver, and the state audit confirms that. ... Ongoing delays have had real-life consequences, resulting in people unable to put food on the table or pay their rent.”

CA Lawmakers Grill Bank Of America Over Its Handling Of Massive EDD Bank Card Fraud

Publication: KPIX/CBS 5 San Francisco

Lawmakers are turning up the spotlight on the massive Employment Development Department (EDD) and Bank of America problems relating to unemployment insurance benefits.

For the first time, Bank of America officials addressed the issues publicly in a budget subcommittee hearing.

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“We are dealing with something unprecedented, criminals are sitting on a cache of stolen identities for some time and waiting for an opportunity to jump,” said Bill Fox of Bank of America.

“Wait times to call centers are one minute with the tail being between one and five minutes,” said Faiz Ahmad, Managing Director of Transaction Services, Bank of America.

“What you said does not reflect the experience of constituents that have called my office. I feel like my staff should get reimbursed for time spent doing your job. We’re not paid to do your job,” said Assemblymember Phil Ting of San Francisco. 

Pandemic Pushes California Lawmakers Into Fast Action on State Budget

Publication: KQED Radio/The California Report

California lawmakers are wasting little time debating the $227 billion budget proposal Gov. Gavin Newsom announced last week.

In a break with the normally slow-moving process that drags out for months, budget committees in both the Assembly and state Senate convened this week to review the governor's spending plan, which includes immediate financial relief to families and businesses hard hit by the pandemic.

Newsom and lawmakers are aiming to send out immediate relief funding by the end of January, ahead of when the majority of the budget will be implemented in July.

During a meeting of the Assembly Budget Committee on Monday, Chair Phil Ting, D-San Francisco, said much of what Newsom proposed matches up with the Assembly's budget priorities.

"We also wanted to have an adequate response to COVID-19 to ensure that there were investments in public health infrastructure, vaccine distribution, as well as safe reopening of schools," Ting said.

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CA Legislators Will Return To Flurry of Major Pandemic Response Votes

Publication: San Francisco Chronicle

California legislators who return to work Monday will quickly be asked to vote on a flurry of high-profile spending measures to confront the worsening toll of the coronavirus pandemic.

At the top of their agenda: find a way to reopen schools for millions of students who have been out of the classroom since March, provide cash payments to low-income families, distribute COVID-19 vaccines more quickly, and extend an eviction moratorium.

Ostensibly, legislators and Gov. Gavin Newsom agree on the broad strokes of the budget proposal he released Friday, which includes a $5 billion “immediate action” plan he wants approved within weeks.

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Cash payments: Newsom is pushing lawmakers to swiftly approve one-time $600 direct payments to low-income people, an effort designed in part to help keep families housed. The payments would cost $2.4 billion.

Checks would be sent to taxpayers who received the state’s earned income tax credit for the working poor, typically those who earn $30,000 or less. Newsom said payments could go out within weeks.

Assembly member Phil Ting, the San Francisco Democrat who chairs the budget committee, said there’s broad support for such payments.

“If we don’t do it now, we run the risk of having a greater catastrophe down the road,” Ting said. “A little bit of money today will help significantly tomorrow.”

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Ting Statement On Governor’s Budget Release

Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, released the statement below following Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2021-22 budget release:

“I’m optimistic we will reach the light at the end of the tunnel later this year, as vaccination rates increase. Until then, we must continue to stabilize Californians and small businesses struggling during these unpredictable times.  We can accomplish that by maintaining the programs and services they need, while also forging a path to economic recovery. I’m glad to see several of the Governor’s priorities are similar to those included in the Assembly Budget Blueprint, Preserve | Respond | Protect | Recover, such as:

  • Stabilization of critical programs and services: Retain reserves and restoration of past cuts
  • Persistent COVID-19 response: Continued investment in public health infrastructure, including vaccine distribution, and safe reopening of schools
  • Support For Working Families: More funding to head off homelessness and expand assistance programs, and increased refund amounts for all California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) filers
  • Economic Recovery: Prevent evictions and support mom-and-pop landlords, and invest in retraining programs for laid off workers and infrastructure strategies to prevent wildfires and stimulate green jobs while benefiting low-income communities

I’m ready to get to work, crafting a responsible plan that successfully navigates the state through the pandemic and helps us emerge stronger. We must also prepare of any more uncertainty and shore up reserves. Hearings will begin next week to give the public opportunities to weigh in, as we consider early action and shape the Governor’s plan into a final state budget before the June 15th deadline. Together, we will make sure people can rely on their government to get them through a crisis and lead the way to brighter days. ”

More information about the Preserve | Respond | Protect | Recover Budget Blueprint can be found here.

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What a Democratic Senate Means For CA: $2,000 Payments, Budget Relief Likely

Publication: San Francisco Chronicle

When sanity returns to Washington and Donald Trump’s insurrectionists are defeated, Democrats will control the Senate along with the House and White House — which could lead to new financial help for California governments and Californians.

Although it’s unclear how the riots that temporarily prevented Congress from confirming Joe Biden’s victory as president Wednesday will play out in the long run, it’s clear that Democrats will have more ability to pass legislation than at any time since Barack Obama’s first term.

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“It means everything for California,” said Assembly Member Phil Ting, D-San Francisco, chair of the Assembly budget committee. “Instead of an administration that we’re fighting every day, we have one that we can work with.”

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UCSF Agrees To Build More Than 1,200 Homes As Huge Parnassus Project Moves Forward

Publication: KTVU/Fox 2 Bay Area

UCSF and the city of San Francisco have reached an agreement on a project to improve housing, transit and jobs programs as part of its plan to expand and update its Parnassus Heights campus. 

The proposed package includes 1,263 new houses for the UCSF workforce, with 40 percent of all new and existing homes designated as affordable units. The boost also includes $20 million in transportation improvements and a 30 percent target for local hires in construction and permanent entry-level jobs.  

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"From the 1906 earthquake to the HIV epidemic to COVID-19, UCSF has been a crucial player in providing healthcare, training programs and research that are recognized around the world," Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) said in a release.  "The Parnassus Heights project makes certain this important work and legacy will continue. The new agreement is a shining example of how community investment can be more inclusive." 

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