(Sacramento, CA) – Assemblymember Phil Ting (D–San Francisco), Chair of the Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation, issued the following statement about Governor Jerry Brown’s proposed state budget for the 2016-2017 fiscal year.  Released today, a breakdown of the Governor’s spending plan is available online at www.ebudget.ca.gov.  Ting’s statement follows.

“California needs a budget that broadens opportunity while responsibly saving for the future.  We are making great progress.  Our rainy day fund is growing and unprecedented investments in education are positioning our kids for better success in life.  We must fulfill the promise of an affordable college degree for all students who work hard.  It is encouraging to see the Governor accelerate vital education reforms for high needs students and to extend them to early childhood education so that more of our kids can fulfill their potential.  Enduring challenges surround funding for healthcare, upgrading our infrastructure, and fighting climate change.  With a range of potential tax initiatives coming to the ballot this fall, elected leaders cannot simply sit on the sidelines like spectators.  We must do the job we were elected to perform and, by coming together, we can leave California better off than we found it.”

(San Francisco, CA) –  Health experts joined Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) at Chinese Hospital to urge Governor Jerry Brown to sign legislation that will help 6.5 million Californians with limited English proficiency understand their medications by requiring pharmacists to distribute translations of drug information materials.

Ting’s Assembly Bill (AB) 1073 is now pending Governor Jerry Brown’s signature or veto by October 11.  It is a breakthrough in what has been a years-long fight to help patients with limited English proficiency to access prescription medicine information that they can understand.  Up to now, pharmacies have only been required to provide oral translation services over the phone.

(SAN FRANCISCO, CA) - Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation authored by Assemblymembers Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) and Marc Levine (D-Marin County) prohibiting sidewalk tolls at the Golden Gate and state-owned toll bridges.

(SAN FRANCISCO, CA) Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) issued the following statement in response to Governor Jerry Brown's signature of Senate Bill (SB) 350, which enacts the Clean Energy and Pollution Reduction Act of 2015. The legislation establishes targets to increase California's renewable electricity to 50% by 2030 and to double the energy efficiency savings in electricity and natural gas by 2030.

(Sacramento, CA) –  Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) to reform state oversight procedures over county assessors in order to more effectively ensure uniformity, fairness, and integrity of the property tax assessment process across California.

“We will now have much better information about the performance of our property tax system to determine what is being done right and what needs improvement,” said Ting who served as the Assessor Recorder of San Francisco prior to his election to the State Assembly.  “These reforms ensure that state audits of county assessors are undertaken in a way that will better improve services that they provide on the ground.”

(SACRAMENTO, CA) –  Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) that will help California obtain millions of dollars in federal funds to provide incentives for low-income Californians receiving food stamps to shop at farmers’ markets.

“We must improve access to nutritious food because diet is the foundation for health,” said Ting.  “California has unmatched agricultural bounty and the largest network of farmers’ markets that must be more effectively harnessed to fight malnutrition and hunger.  Today’s signature will help us make the healthiest choice an easier choice for millions of Californians living in poverty.”

Call for Signature on Eve of Federal Government Shutdown Threatening Food Stamp Program Operations

(SAN FRANCISCO, CA) –   Flanked by supporters at a bustling farmers’ market, Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) called on Governor Jerry Brown to sign legislation helping California obtain millions in federal funds to provide incentives for low-income Californians receiving food stamps to shop at farmers’ markets.

Ting’s AB 1321 passed the Assembly 60-18 and the Senate 30-8.  It awaits Brown’s signature or veto by October 11.

(SAN FRANCISCO, CA) – Flanked by supporters at the Golden Gate Bridge, Assemblymembers Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) and Marc Levine (D-Marin County) urged Governor Jerry Brown to sign their legislation prohibiting sidewalk tolls at the Golden Gate and state-owned toll bridges.  The group commemorated the value of free bridge access for all by walking and riding bicycles across the bridge.

“We should not nickel and dime people pursuing healthy transportation alternatives as we strive to combat climate change,” said Ting.  “Our bridges link a network of parks, paths, and trails that we have built around the Bay Area to promote active lifestyles.  By signing this bill, the governor can protect access to this legacy we share with the world.”

(Sacramento, CA) – The California State Legislature passed legislation authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) that will help 6.5 million Californians with limited English proficiency understand their medications by requiring pharmacists to distribute translations of drug information materials.

Ting’s Assembly Bill (AB) 1073 passed the Assembly 79-0, following a 40-0 Senate vote on Wednesday. It is now pending Governor Jerry Brown’s signature or veto by October 11.

“We need an equal standard of patient care. Pharmacy services are an integral part of health care and language skills should never be an impediment to equal access,” said Ting. “California is the most linguistically diverse state in the nation. By ensuring that all patients understand their medications, we will save lives and improve healthcare for millions of people.”

AB 1073 requires all pharmacists to provide translated directions for use to limited English proficient patients, which can be done through: • Using translations made available by the Board of Pharmacy, which regulates pharmacists – the Board has translated for use in five languages (Chinese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese) 15 standardized directions, such as take one pill at bedtime and take one pill in the morning. • Providing translated directions for use – some pharmacies already offer patients comprehensive translation services, and are encouraged to continue doing so.

The 2010 U.S. Census found over 6.5 million Californians speak English less than “very well.” And, 44 percent of Californians speak a language other than English at home.

Here is what supporters are saying about AB 1073.

“A patient’s first and best source of information about their medication is the prescription label,” said Sarah de Guia, Executive Director of the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network. “Patients with limited English skills are over twice as likely to have difficulty understanding their medications. This bill will help make prescription labels understandable and meaningful for millions of Californians."

“Prescription medications are an important element of health care: adherence to medication regimens is a significant problem for many consumers. Is it one pill twice a day? Is that one pill every twelve hours? Or is it two pills in the morning and none at night? How long do I take the prescription?” -Anthony Wright, Executive Director, Health Access California

“Access to health care requires effective communication between patients and medical professionals. AB 1073 would help limited-English proficient patients across California understand prescription drug information in their primary language, a need that can literally be a matter of life and death.” -Xavier Morales, Executive Director, Latino Coalition for a Healthy California

“This bill will ensure all Californians, regardless of the language they speak, understand how to safely take their medication.” -Sherry Hirota, Chief Executive Officer, Asian Health Services

“Culturally and linguistically appropriate healthcare is fundamental for patient health and well-being. By making it easier for seniors to understand their medications, they can focus on enjoying their golden years with dignity and grace.” -Andy Bryant, Chief Operating Officer, Self Help for the Elderly

“We at Chinese Hospital feel this is a valuable bill for not only our Chinese speaking community but all the other community members we serve with limited English proficiency. This bill will help people properly take their medications and ensure they get the benefit of the drugs as their doctors intended.” -Diane Hong, Pharmacist at Chinese Hospital

Further information is available at http://www.leginfo.ca.gov.

(Sacramento, CA) – The California State Legislature passed legislation authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D–San Francisco) to prohibit sidewalk tolls for pedestrians and cyclists crossing the Golden Gate and state-owned toll bridges.

Assembly Bill (AB) 40 passed the Assembly with a 65-13 vote, following a 29-11 Senate vote on Tuesday.  It is now pending Governor Jerry Brown’s signature or veto by October 11.