Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, released the following statement regarding the agreement reached between the two legislative houses for the 2023-24 budget year: 

“The Assembly and the Senate budget plan allows us to not only protect the progress we’ve made in improving the lives of Californians, but also increase our investments in education, homeless programs, affordable housing, climate protection and childcare. At the same time, we are being responsible, expanding the state’s reserves and rainy day funds to safeguard against any economic downturns that may occur down the road.

Theh organization focuses toddlers to high school seniors, offering robust programs in child development, leadership training, college preparation and job readiness. Such dedication has impacted thousands of lives since 1970 with locations touching every corner of our district, from San Francisco’s westside to San Mateo County’s Daly City. We are fortunate to have a tireless and committed organization as part of our community. Read more about their good work here.

More juries in California may soon be more racially and economically diverse, thanks to today’s approval in the Assembly of AB 881 by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco). Under the bill, jury pay in criminal trials would increase from $15 a day to $100 a day for low-to-moderate income jurors. 

While originally a statewide proposal, the amended legislation now creates a pilot program in five counties: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Alameda, Kern and Monterey. California, like many states, requires employers to provide time off for jury duty, but they don’t have to pay their employees while serving. In turn, many workers often seek to be excused from their civic duty, so they can go to their jobs to earn more money.

Paper receipt, e-receipt or no receipt? The California State Assembly today approved AB 1347/Skip-The-Slip by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), giving consumers a choice over how they would like their proof-of-purchase. The legislation encourages greater adoption of electronic receipts in California starting next year to reduce the environmental impacts and the health risks posed by the paper version. 

“In this digital age, customers should have options. It doesn’t make sense to kill so many trees and produce billions pounds of carbon emissions when we buy a cup of coffee or a pack of gum,” said Ting. “AB 1347 gives customers a choice, allowing for a paper receipt when it’s needed.”