(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) to boost the construction of homeless shelters that can link people in need with services to achieve self-sufficiency in seven communities where nearly half the state’s homeless population resides and 70 percent are unsheltered.

“Finally the communities that prioritize action on homelessness through emergency declarations can be free from red tape,” said Ting.  “This bill gives us a chance to explore new and innovative solutions to help more people get off the street.  California has a homelessness crisis and it’s painfully obvious that business as usual is failing.”

(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) creating 25 new neighborhood-restricted liquor licenses for San Francisco restaurants along underdeveloped commercial corridors.

Assembly Bill (AB) 471 passed the Assembly 79-0, following a 38-0 Senate vote.

“It is gratifying to see this support for neighborhood businesses move forward.  Successful restaurants are an anchor for commerce because they create jobs, fuel foot traffic for other businesses nearby, and provide social spaces for neighbors to gather,” said Ting.  “This will provide opportunity to a new generation of restaurateurs who previously couldn't afford a license.  As we enjoy the delicious dividends, we will also help revitalize commerce in communities that need a boost.”

(SAN FRANCISCO, CA) – Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) released the following statement regarding the tragic Las Vegas shooting yesterday night:

“Why does one person need more than 10 semiautomatic rifles capable of killing over 50 people in under 10 minutes?  Why does any human need a magazine clip that holds more than 10 rounds?  I’m glad that California is working hard on gun control, but when are other states going to learn?  When is enough, enough?

“I give my condolences to the loved ones of the Las Vegas shooting victims.  But condolences won’t prevent future mass shootings.  As a nation we must evaluate what is more important – the right to a weapon that can kill many people very quickly or the right to be safe from harm.”

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Contacts:  Anthony Matthews and Jessica Duong, tel. (916) 319-2019

(SAN FRANCISCO, CA) – Bay Area leaders and advocates for the homeless joined Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) in urging Governor Jerry Brown to sign Assembly Bill (AB) 932, legislation providing regulatory relief in order to rapidly build new shelters that can link people in need with services to achieve self-sufficiency.

Ting’s AB 932 passed the State Legislature and now awaits Brown’s signature or veto by October 15.

(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) that extends local governments’ ability to provide property tax breaks to owners of vacant urban plots transformed into community gardens for ten years.  Ting authored the original law in 2013, which expires in 2019.

“Putting fresh fruits and vegetables on the table can be a challenge in some neighborhoods,” said Ting.  “Urban farming needs more time to take root and help more Californians access nutritious food.  Urban farms turn the concrete jungle into green spaces that bring value to neighborhoods, transforming blight into bounty.”

Many communities across California now provide property tax breaks for urban agriculture, including:

(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) released the following statement following the State Assembly’s passage of a comprehensive package to provide new funding for affordable housing, strengthen accountability on communities to build housing, and to streamline housing construction:

“We finally did it!  This breakthrough will help build a future that is more prosperous and inclusive.  New investments in affordable housing development paired with comprehensive housing reform will help California create the housing we desperately need.  Exploding housing costs have uprooted families from their communities and reduced access to high-wage jobs of the future.  I urge my colleagues in the Senate to support these vital measures.”

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Contact:  Anthony Matthews, tel. (916) 319-2019

(SACRAMENTO, CA) – The California State Legislature passed a bill authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) creating 25 new neighborhood-restricted liquor licenses for San Francisco restaurants along underdeveloped commercial corridors.

Assembly Bill (AB) 471 passed the Assembly 61-0, following a 38-0 Senate vote.  The bill now awaits the Governor Jerry Brown’s signature or veto.

(SACRAMENTO, CA) – The California State Legislature passed a bill authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) extending for ten years local governments’ ability to provide property tax breaks to owners of vacant urban plots transformed into community gardens.  Ting authored the original law in 2013, which expires in 2019.

“You are what you eat.  A well-balanced diet is the foundation of health,” said Ting.  “Urban farming needs more time to take root and help more Californians access nutritious food in their neighborhoods.  Urban farms turn the concrete jungle into green spaces that bring value to neighborhoods, transforming blight into bounty.”

Many communities across California now provide property tax breaks for urban agriculture, including:

(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) released the following statement after President Donald Trump’s administration announced the end of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.