(SAN FRANCISCO, CA) The Hard Wear Store was honored by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) today as his small business of the year, in observance of California Small Business Day this week.  Ting presented owner Angela Tickler with a California State Assembly Resolution in her store honoring the store’s success.

“The Hard Wear Store opened in a tough economy and thrived,” said Ting.  “This inspiring success story embodies why we need productive small businesses.  The Hard Wear Store is not just a great place to shop, it contributes to the spirit and pride of our community.”

(Sacramento, CA) –  The California State Assembly Committee passed legislation authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) to ensure fairness, objectivity and transparency in the accreditation process affecting California’s community colleges. The vote occurred while our accreditor – the San Rafael-based Accreditation Commission on Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) – meets behind closed doors this week. Ting’s legislation moves to the State Senate for further review.

“We need education to be the great equalizer in our society but that role is compromised when education standards are enforced unfairly, arbitrarily, and in secret,” said Ting. “We need these reforms to end abuses of power from our accreditor. Sweeping change is needed that put the needs of our students first.”

(Sacramento, CA) – The California State Assembly passed legislation authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D–San Francisco) that will help California receive federal funding from the 2014 farm bill to expand healthy food access for low-income Californians on food stamps shopping at farmers’ markets.

Assembly Bill (AB) 1321 passed with a 54-16 vote and passes to the State Senate for further review.

“Diet is the foundation for good health.  We can expand access to our state’s bounty by enlisting farmers’ markets in the fight against hunger and malnutrition,” said Ting.  “The timing of this legislation could not be more critical.  The drought has pushed food prices upward, squeezing families still waiting for the economic recovery to benefit their bottom line.”

(Sacramento, CA) – The California State Assembly passed legislation authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D–San Francisco) to prevent sidewalk tolls for pedestrians and cyclists crossing California’s toll bridges, all located in the San Francisco Bay Area, including the Golden Gate Bridge and seven state-owned bridges.

Assembly Bill (AB) 40 passed with a 57-12 vote and passes to the State Senate for further review.

(San Francisco, CA) –  The California State Assembly passed legislation authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) to enable transportation network companies (TNCs) - like Lyft, Uber, and Sidecar - to charge split and reduced fares between multiple passengers with similar pickup locations and destinations.

Assembly Bill (AB) 1360 passed with a 69-0 vote and passes to the State Senate for further review.

“With climate change accelerating, we must take a hard look at transportation because it is the largest single source of emissions,” said Ting.  “We have long encouraged public transit and carpooling to reduce traffic and air pollution.  Extending the environmental mindset to ridesharing requires changing a fifty year old law.  That’s what this is all about.”

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

Ting’s Assembly Bill (AB) 1073 passed 74-0 and moves to the State Senate for further review.

(SACRAMENTO, CA) - Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) issued the following statement about Governor Jerry Brown’s May budget proposal, which is available online at http://www.ebudget.ca.gov/.

“California’s growing economy and voter-approved taxes create exciting opportunities to make California a much better place, notably by investing more in the education our children deserve.  After bearing the weight of so many budget cuts, the poorest among us finally get a break with the Governor’s proposal to create an equivalent to the federal earned income tax credit.  It is also exciting to see an unprecedented commitment to confront climate change.  There are some disagreements we must bridge to complete this budget.  We want more of our hardworking students to receive a world class education through our public universities.  The persistent problem of access to higher education must be resolved.  We also want to see more help for working parents who need childcare.  Both are critical investments to ensure that a more prosperous future is in reach for all Californians.”

Contact: Anthony Matthews, tel. (916) 319-2019, anthony.matthews@asm.ca.gov

(Sacramento, CA) –  Students and teachers from across California rallied at the State Capitol to urge the State Assembly Committee on Higher Education to pass legislation authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) to reform the accreditation process affecting California’s 112 community colleges serving 2.1 million students.

Inspired by systematic abuses of power from our accreditor – the San Rafael-based Accreditation Commission on Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) – both reform bills impose new standards for accountability in accreditation.

(San Francisco, CA) –  Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) announced new legislation to enable transportation network companies (TNCs) - like Lyft, Uber, and Sidecar - to charge split and reduced fares between multiple passengers with similar pickup locations and destinations.

Ting announced the bill at the San Francisco Caltrain Station, where over 12,000 people arrive daily, in order to highlight how on-demand carpooling services can work in tandem with public transportation.  The bill faces its first vote today in the Assembly Committee on Utilities and Commerce.