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SF Chronicle: Low-Income Jurors Could Make $100 A Day Under New CA Bill

Criminal defendants have the right to be tried by a jury of their peers, but that can be difficult for low-income defendants whose counterparts can’t afford to serve on jurors’ $15-a-day wages. So San Francisco has a pilot program increasing some jurors’ pay to $100 a day, and the lawmaker who sponsored the program is now proposing to expand it statewide.

Ting Introduces State Bill to Ease Financial Hardship of Jury Service, Increase Racial & Economic Diversity of Juries

Ting Introduces State Bill to Ease Financial Hardship of Jury Service
AB 881, known as Be The Jury California, would expand San Francisco’s successful Be The Jury program statewide, and raise daily pay to $100 for low-to-moderate-income jurors in criminal cases.

Today, Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) announced on the steps of the Hall of Justice in San Francisco that he has introduced a new state bill—Be The Jury CA (AB 881)—that would raise juror pay to $100 a day for low-to-moderate-income jurors in criminal cases across California. Ting, along with San Francisco Public Defender Mano Raju, San Francisco Treasurer José Cisneros, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins and Alameda County Public Defender Brendon Woods, spoke about how the bill will ensure that all Californians have access to a jury of their peers, as promised by the U.S. Constitution. Due to the steep financial hardship facing potential jurors, stakeholders agree that juries have become increasingly less diverse.

KTSF: CA Grants $6.5M To Boost Mental Health & Wellness Services for AAPI communities

California Asm Phil Ting announced $6.5 million in funding from the state to promote mental health and wellness services in the Asian Pacific American community.

Ting announced that the state government will allocate 6.5 million yuan to help the Multiple Services Center (RAMS) in the Richmond District of San Francisco to establish a permanent mental health service center.

KRON TV: Mental Health Services For AAPI Community in SF

Providing and expanding mental health services for the AAPI community was the focus of a gathering Friday in San Francisco’s Richmond District.

Acknowledging the recent massacres in Half Moon Bay and Monterey Park as well as the surge of hate attacks directed at the AAPI community during the pandemic, San Francisco Assemblymember Phil Ting announced he has secured 6.5 million dollars in state funds for RAMS, a Richmond District nonprofit which provides community mental health services.

Mental Health & Wellness Services For Local AAPI Community Strengthened After Ting Announces $6.5M in State Funding

Mental Health & Wellness Services For Local AAPI Community Strengthened After Ting Announces $6.5M in State Funding

California’s Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities are trying to process and heal from the tragedies of Half Moon Bay and Monterey Park. On top of that, they are still dealing with the hate incidents against AAPIs over the last three years brought on by COVID. All of these incidents have highlighted the lack of resources available to AAPIs and the need for greater state investment.

In an effort to address the continuing crisis in AAPI communities, Assembly Budget Chair Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) today announced $6.5 million from the state budget for Richmond Area Multi-Services Inc. (RAMS). The funding allows the nonprofit to pursue a permanent space that will centralize their outpatient clinic and wellness centers into one location. Among the culturally competent programs they offer, RAMS specializes in mental health services.

ABC 7: 'What The Hell Is Wrong With Us': State, Local Politicians Plead For Stricter Gun Laws Nationwide

With more mass shootings than days in 2023, the chorus for gun reform is growing ever louder following the tragedy in Half Moon Bay.

Both from state leaders as well as local politicians ... One of those leading the charge is state Assemblyman Phil Ting, who has long called on lawmakers in Sacramento to set an example for the rest of the nation.

"We should have much tighter licensing restrictions," Ting said. "We should really focus on making sure assault weapons across the country are banned."

Assemblymember Ting Introduces Bill Allowing California Community Colleges to Observe Lunar New Year as a State Holiday

Ting Introduces Bill Allowing California Community Colleges to Observe Lunar New Year as a State Holiday

With the Year of the Rabbit underway, California’s community colleges may soon have the option to make Lunar New Year (LNY) as a state holiday, under a bill announced today by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco). AB 264 gives community college districts the flexibility to observe LNY without increasing the number of days schools are closed. For example, they can combine Lincoln’s and Washington’s birthdays as one holiday and add LNY as another.

“With hate incidents against the Asian American Pacific Islander community still happening, a Lunar Year holiday for college students would be beneficial. It gives them a time to reflect on the special significance of this celebration and to encourage acceptance. We’re better as a society when we create opportunities for communities to learn about each other,” said Ting.