Sacramento - Assemblymember Philip Y. Ting (D-San Francisco) won support for legislation today that would protect California’s tourism industry by ensuring the viability of Tourism Marketing Districts (TMDs) and other Business Improvement Districts (BIDs).  The measure, AB 483, passed the Senate Governance and Finance Committee on a bi-partisan vote of 7 – 0.

TMDs and BIDs have been critical to the success of the tourism industry, especially during the recent economic downturn when support for this industry --that previously was provided by local governments – dried up due to budget constraints.  However, the 2010 passage of voter-approved Proposition 26 created potential legal uncertainty over these Districts’ ability to privately fund tourism marketing and promotional activities.

Sacramento - Assemblymember Philip Y. Ting released the following statement regarding the decision announced today by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges to terminate CCSF's accreditation effective July 31, 2014.

"The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) has made their decision, and now it's the time to move forward and respond. The ACCJC evaluation report of 2012 was a clear and well documented roadmap to fix the problems that led to this decision. Those fixes must continue during the appeal process.

Sacramento - Assemblymember Philip Y. Ting (D-San Francisco) received unanimous support in the Senate Governance and Finance Committee today for legislation to encourage urban farming. AB 551 would authorize counties to create urban agriculture incentive zones, and allow for reduced property taxes when a landowner allows small-scale food production on their land.

"By creating a tax incentive for property owners to dedicate property for urban farming, we are offering a creative option for unused, often blighted land, and providing the community a new source of locally grown, fresh food," Ting said.

Sacramento – Assemblymember Philip Y. Ting (D – San Francisco) today called on BART and union officials to resume negotiations as soon as possible.

“Throughout Sunday and now into Monday, the negotiations are at a standstill. Meanwhile, commuters trying to get to work are facing chaos on the freeways, waterways and at bus stations,” Ting said. “For some, not getting to work means not getting paid. Our fragile economy can’t endure a prolonged strike. I encourage both sides to get back to the table and iron out their differences.”

World War II hero honored at the Capitol for his service

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Philip Y. Ting (D-San Francisco) honored his 19th Assembly District Veteran of the Year at the 6th Annual Assembly Veterans Recognition Luncheon held at the State Capitol and the Sacramento Convention Center. American hero David Tejada, 90, a former POW in World War II and still a hospital volunteer, was escorted to Sacramento to receive his award.

AB 707 would allow alternative funding resources to pay for the sign

Sacramento – Assemblymember Philip Y. Ting (D-San Francisco) presented the merits of AB 707, his legislation that would promote an increase in “senior” pedestrian signage, to members of the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee today. The legislation would encourage local transportation agencies to install pedestrian warning signs for high-risk sites by allowing additional funding sources to pay for them.  The committee approved the measure on a vote of 10 to 0.

“Pedestrians are the most vulnerable victims of traffic accidents, and the older you get the more likely you will be injured or killed in a pedestrian traffic accident,” Ting said.

“How Can California Maximize Trade and Investment Promotion with Asia?”

Sacramento - Assemblymember Philip Y. Ting (D-San Francisco), chair of the Assembly’s Select Committee on Asia/California Trade and Investment Promotion and co-chair of the advisory board of ChinaSF, convened the committee’s first public hearing this week. The intent of the committee is to identify best practices to facilitate relationships between the state of California and Asian companies interested in investing here.

“Economic projections suggest that China’s foreign direct investment will reach $2 trillion in the next few years,” Ting said in his opening remarks. “It is our responsibility as state legislators to make sure that California secures as much of those investment dollars as possible.

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Philip Y. Ting (D – San Francisco) presented the merits of AB 1273 to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water, a bill that would help advance a restoration proposal for San Francisco’s Piers 30-32.  The bill previously passed the Assembly on a vote of 51 to 10. The Senate committee’s action today was approved by a vote of 8 to 0.

The legislation ensures that if a multi-purpose venue is approved to be located on Piers 30-32, the project will maximize public access, open space, and maritime uses consistent with the Public Trust Doctrine — the principles that govern the use of California’s sovereign waterfront properties.

Limiting a child’s access to guns is priority of AB 231

Sacramento – Legislation authored by Assemblymember Philip Y. Ting (D-San Francisco) and Assemblymember Jimmy Gomez (D – Los Angeles) to impose penalties for the preventable tragedy of gun injuries involving children passed the Senate Public Safety Committee today. AB 231 would make the act of leaving or storing a loaded firearm in a location where a child is likely to gain access a misdemeanor.

“By imposing a misdemeanor on those who allow children to gain access to their guns, we can prevent accidents and even save lives,” Ting told the members of the committee. “It is not an infringement of rights to expect persons who own guns and have children in their lives to be especially careful.”