Press Releases

California organizations that have been supporting Asian/Pacific Islander (API) victims of hate or pursuing ways to prevent such incidents can now apply for a Stop The Hate grant to ensure their impactful work continues. The Department of Social Services’ Request For Applications makes $20 million available starting today. The funding is part of the historic $166.5 million API Equity Budget championed by Assembly Budget Chair Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) and the California API Legislative Caucus this year. It aims to address the alarming spike in hate crimes and incidents against the API community members, who have been wrongly blamed for the pandemic.

Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, released the following statement about California’s latest Fiscal Outlook from the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO):

Our historic 2021-22 budget has allowed us to make tremendous strides in improving the lives of so many Californians. Whether it was stimulus checks, rent relief, greater educational opportunities, or expanded safety net programs, including healthcare, we have helped millions navigate through some pandemic-driven hardships. Our strong financial standing also made it possible for us to reimagine the state’s future, helping us create new programs, such as transitional kindergarten, climate resiliency, more housing and universal school meals. It’s our job now to provide oversight, making sure we follow through on those commitments and that these new investments are working.

Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) will hold his final Virtual Town Hall of the year on Saturday, November 13, from 10:00 to 11:30 am. He'll update constituents on new laws taking effect on January 1; plus attendees are encouraged to give input on ideas regarding what Sacramento's legislative and budget priorities should be for 2022. RSVP or submit a question here.

For over 30 years, the Community Youth Center of San Francisco (CYC), has championed underserved youth and families living and working in the Richmond district. As part of an expansion plan, CYC purchased a building located at 952 Clement Street to increase programs and services in a neighborhood that is ethnically and economically diverse. The Richmond Community Hub will be a 7,160 square foot two story building with a rooftop deck. The Richmond Community Hub will be home to workforce development programs, a state-of-the art computer clubhouse, a shared community room for workshops and gatherings, administrative offices, and program space.

“CYC has done extraordinary work for the Richmond. I was happy to be their champion in Sacramento, securing $2.5 million in state funding for their new center. This investment will ensure the organization’s impact will be felt for generations to come,” said Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco).

With the Governor’s signature on AB 1452 by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), San Francisco will soon begin paying low to moderate-income jurors $100 per day – up from $15 a day. The pilot program called Be The Jury seeks to determine whether higher pay leads to more racial and socio-economic diversity in juries.

“The legal system is full of inequities, and juries lacking diversity exacerbate that. I thank the Governor for seeing the need for change and allowing our city to explore whether higher pay improves demographics. Studies show when juries are more reflective of the communities they serve, they spend more time in deliberations and are less likely to presume guilt, which help defendants get a fair trial,” said Ting.

Sacramento – With the Governor’s signature today on two bills by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), consumers will have less exposure to “forever chemicals,” known as PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. They’re harmful and linked to health problems, including cancer, hormone disruption, thyroid disease and vaccine interference; yet they’re added to food packaging, cookware, and many other products we come into contact with on a daily basis.

“PFAS chemicals have been a hidden threat to our health for far too long. I applaud the Governor for signing AB 1200 and 1201, allowing us to target, as well as limit, some of the toxicants coming into contact with our food,” said Ting.

AB 104 temporarily enabled students to request a "Pass" or "No Pass" option for grades earned in the 2020-21 school year. AB 167 (Education Omnibus) was signed by Governor Newsom on September 23rd, carrying a provision to extend the deadline. School districts are now required to allow high school students to submit their grade change request at least through October 1st. School districts also have the ability to extend the deadline for grade change requests even further, if they choose. For Frequently Asked Questions, please click here. 

Companies have been labeling products as “compostable” when they’re actually not. But that practice could soon end because of higher composting standards under a bill approved by the Legislature and sent to the Governor late yesterday. AB 1201, the Better Composting Standards Act by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), tightens the rules on what can be identified as compostable to prevent contamination, which threatens composting programs.

“Consumers and businesses are being deceived into thinking they’re buying the right products to conserve resources and reduce their environmental impact. Some are labeled as compostable, even when they contain harmful chemicals that contaminate our compost, consequently making that compost unusable,” said Ting. “We must be clearer on what is acceptable for composting and ensure that our compost doesn’t contain harmful chemicals.”

California could soon walk back its jaywalking laws, if Governor Gavin Newsom signs AB 1238/The Freedom To Walk Act by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), which would legalize safe crossings for pedestrians. Jaywalking is arbitrarily enforced throughout the state, and when cited these expensive tickets are disproportionately given to people of color.

“California’s jaywalking laws are outdated and not enforced fairly across our communities. These laws do not protect pedestrians and instead burden people with unaffordable fines and subject marginalized communities to harassment by law enforcement. Unfortunately, some of these encounters with law enforcement become life threatening,” said Ting.

AB 1238/The Freedom To Walk Act promotes the fair and equitable use of roadways by:

Consumers could be ingesting fewer chemicals in their food and making smarter decisions about their cookware purchases under legislation sent to the Governor today. AB 1200 by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) bans the use of “forever chemicals,” known as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, in food packaging. The bill also requires the makers of cookware to disclose the use of PFAS and other hazardous chemicals in their products.

“When it comes to our food, we must ensure safety. Under federal regulations, companies are allowed to self-certify that a chemical they’ve added to food packaging is safe. That’s not good enough for me. Manufacturers should be mandated to use safer alternatives,” said Ting. “In addition, disclosure of PFAS used in cookware helps families decide for themselves what’s right for them.”