(SACRAMENTO, CA)  Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), Chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus, honored Cecilia Chung during the California State Assembly’s Woman of the Year ceremony for her leadership on civil rights, HIV/AIDS and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) equality.

“Cecilia has an inspiring record of breaking down barriers,” said Ting.  “Her bravery and brains have made our community a more compassionate and welcoming place.  As we strive for even greater equality, we can simply look to her for a roadmap forward.  Cecilia’s passion and commitment to equality know no bounds.”

(Sacramento) – Appearing at Northeast Medical Services in Chinatown, Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles), San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, and Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) today called for enactment of the Speaker’s legislation, AB 2325, which would increase the number of medical interpreters to help ensure Californians with limited English receive the right medical treatment.

“In a state as large and diverse as California, we need to ensure that people who are seeking medical attention are able to effectively communicate their symptoms, so that doctors can correctly identify the illness or injury and take the appropriate steps to treat it,” Speaker Pérez said. “This legislation is a smart investment in health care for Californians, because the vast majority of the funds available come from the federal government, so we can improve health care outcomes and generate economic activity without significantly impacting California’s budget.”

Report Shows Bill could Boost Applications for State Aid by 15 Percent

(SACRAMENTO, CA) – With the deadline for college financial aid applications just days away, Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), Chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus, announced new legislation that is expected to expand access to financial aid for thousands of students by helping them complete their applications.

“Education is the greatest gift we can give to our children,” said Ting. “California is providing more help than ever to help families pay for college but too many students leave aid on the table. Students who apply for aid are twice as likely to enroll in college and more likely to graduate. This simple solution will ensure more students get help getting ahead.”

(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), Chair of the California State Assembly Select Committee on Asia/California Trade and Investment Promotion, convened a hearing for lawmakers and business leaders to discuss economic ties between China and California.

"The Bay Area is shaping the economic relationship between California and China and these economic ties will grow even stronger with time," said Ting. "California recently opened a trade office in Shanghai and created new incentives to attract investment here at home. We must ensure that these tools are effective and consider what other state policies can create jobs by getting Chinese companies to open in California."

(SACRAMENTO, CA) – California pharmacists keep the choice to sell sterile syringes over the counter to adults without a prescription under legislation introduced by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), Chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus, in order to prevent leading causes for the transmission of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis.

“The facts are clear and undisputed,” said Ting.  “Allowing adults to purchase syringes from pharmacists saves lives by preventing the spread of deadly diseases.  Doctors, nurses, and pharmacists support this policy, which is why it is the law of the land in nearly every state.  It’s time to make this a permanent part of California’s public health strategy.”

(SACRAMENTO, CA) – The California State Assembly passed legislation authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), Chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus, to ease the construction of protected bikeways, or cycletracks, that designate a portion of road for bike travel and separate it with grade separations, posts or other physical barriers.

AB 1193 passed with a 55-14 vote and moves to the State Senate for further review.

(SACRAMENTO, CA) - Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), Chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus, issued the following statement about Governor Jerry Brown’s State of the State address.

“The state of the state is a reflection of who we are as people.  It has long been defined solely by how we are faring on a balance sheet.  With our budget crisis fading from view, we must take off these blinders and remember that California is so much more.  We can never forget the lessons of fiscal prudence this crisis has taught us.  But we need another yardstick to measure our progress.  California is the home of dreamers, of innovators who change the world.  Our state of the state, therefore, is about what we are doing to keep California on top as a leader.  We must lay the groundwork for a more prosperous future for all Californians by focusing prudent investment on a brighter future.  Last year, we passed historic education reforms to direct more resources to students from low income families and English learners.  But we can’t declare victory yet.  It will take public vigilance to ensure these reforms live up to their promise of creating new opportunities for students who frequently fall through the cracks.  We must also continue to reign in prison costs, which now eclipse our spending on higher education.”