A. P. Giannini Middle School, the most populous public middle school in San Francisco, is set to undergo much needed safety repairs and improvements. Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, helped to secure $4 million for the rehabilitation project.

“Students need a safe, modern learning environment in order to succeed. After years of deferred maintenance, we’re at the point where we can no longer postpone making upgrades,” said Ting. “I’m glad the state could step in to help this valuable community asset.”

The scope of the work will include updating the electrical wiring in the gym, repaving the uneven school yard, upgrading the auditorium and fixing the locker room ceiling, which leaks. San Francisco Supervisor Katy Tang first brought the school’s condition to the attention of Assemblymember Ting.

The Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council approved more than $113 million this week in the first wave of block grants available under the new Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP). The money is part of a $500 million 2018-19 state budget program championed by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) and the Big 11 Mayors, in negotiation with the Governor, to help local governments address California’s homeless crisis.

“This is welcome news. I’ve been a strong advocate of state and local partnerships when it comes to solving our biggest problems. This is the first of many steps in getting people off the streets and into housing,” said Ting, Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee.

Grant Recipients:

            Oakland                                  $ 8.67 million            

            San Diego                               $ 14.1 million            

            Los Angeles                            $ 85 million

            Long Beach                            $  2.8 million

            Bakersfield/Kern

Continuum Of Care (CoC)        $ 2.6 million

In 2017, California’s homeless population was more than 134,000. The council, which is under the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency, began taking applications for the HEAP block grant on September 5. Cities and Continuums of Care (CoC) county partners are eligible. Once approved, the money can be spent on services, such as:

• Emergency housing vouchers
• Rapid rehousing
• Emergency shelter construction
• Temporary shelters in armories

Grant applications are accepted through December 31, 2018. For more information, please visit: https://www.bcsh.ca.gov/hcfc/aid_program.html.

In a major to move to increase police transparency in California, Governor Brown today signed AB 748 by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco). The landmark bill requires the release of recordings from body-worn cameras within 45 days of a critical incident, which is defined as the discharge of a firearm or use-of-force that causes death or great bodily harm.

“The Governor’s signature on AB 748 signifies a strong commitment to police transparency in California. Public access to body camera footage is necessary to boost confidence and rebuild trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve,” said Ting.

Current California law provides no clear or consistent policy regarding the release of body camera recordings. In April, the Los Angeles Police Commission adopted a policy similar to AB 748. But other departments commonly cite “pending investigation” as a reason to withhold the recordings under the Public Records Act. Such secrecy fosters mistrust after critical incidents occur. The new law does not supersede a department’s ability to set its own disclosure rules, so long as the rules comply with the general guidelines set forth in AB 748.

Footage from body-worn cameras can help shed light and provide clarity when there is confusion in the community after tragic events. The footage can even help clear law enforcement of any perceived wrongdoing. If releasing body camera recordings interferes with an investigation, AB 748 also allows for 30-day delays.

Californians serving unjustly long prison sentences may get a second chance under a bill signed by Governor Brown today. AB 2942 by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) gives prosecutors the discretion to review cases and recommend a sentence reduction, if warranted. The recommendation is then submitted to a sentencing court, which would make the final determination.

“District attorneys have found that certain prison sentences, upon further review, are no longer in the interest of justice. Let’s give them a tool to revisit cases in which defendants were sentenced under outdated guidelines, have been rehabilitated and would benefit from a second chance,” said Ting, author of AB 2942. Under current California law, only the Board of Parole Hearings may recommend a change to defendant’s sentence.

While public safety remains a key priority, emerging research suggests past policies should be revisited. A University of Chicago report found longer prison sentences have marginal effects on reducing recidivism. In addition, results from a separate study by the Brennan Center for Justice indicate that prison sentences could by shortened by 25% across the board without a negative effect on public safety.

Passage of AB 1184 first step to securing $30 million from TNC Impact Tax to fund transit operations & infrastructure

San Francisco - City leaders kicked-off Transit Week Monday with the news that Governor Brown has signed Assembly Bill 1184, the first step in securing critical funding for San Francisco transportation projects. This past July, Supervisor Aaron Peskin withdrew his Private Transportation Tax from the November ballot, after negotiating a deal with ride-share companies to pursue an alternate tax on TNC net ride revenue through state and local processes.  The City's Chief Economist estimates the tax will generate $30 million annually, which would be dedicated to transportation infrastructure and operations. Assemblymember Phil Ting authored AB 1184 to affirm San Francisco's agreement with the private transportation industry to become the first city in California to levy a TNC impact tax.

"As San Francisco's economy grows, it must find ways to move people around safely.  The Governor's signature on AB 1184 is an important first step to raise much-needed revenue that'll improve roads, bike lanes, public transit and other transportation projects," said Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco.)

Supervisor Peskin co-chaired a six-month long Transportation Task Force 2045 (TTF2045) in his capacity as Chair of the San Francisco County Transportation Authority (SFCTA). The Task Force, comprised of a diverse cross-section of business, resident and advocate representatives, identified a $22 billion funding need over the next 27 years, without sustained local sources of funding to cover the need. One of the recommendations of the Task Force was to levy a TNC impact tax to mitigate the impacts of TNCs on congestion, declining public transit revenue and general wear-and-tear on City infrastructure. The negotiated agreement caps the proposed tax at 3.25 percent of net ride revenue for TNCs and driverless passenger vehicles, and 1.5 percent for shared rides. With the State-affirming legislation passed, the next step will be to put the TNC Impact Tax onto the November 2019 ballot.

California is taking steps to make sure driverless cars are operating safely on roads throughout the state. Governor Brown signed AB 87 by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) today, giving law enforcement the authority to impound unpermitted autonomous vehicles (AVs). The legislation comes as Sacramento is poised to become the first California city where AVs with no occupants will be tested on public streets. 

“I’m excited about this technology because of its potential to create new transportation opportunities, but companies can’t just put an AV on the road whenever they feel like it. Lives are at stake,” said Ting, author of AB 87. “By giving police the power to seize unpermitted AVs, we’re incentivizing operators to go through the proper channels first. We need assurances AVs can interact safely with drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians.”