A. P. Giannini Middle School, the most populous public middle school in San Francisco, is set to undergo much needed safety repairs and improvements. Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, helped to secure $4 million for the rehabilitation project.

“Students need a safe, modern learning environment in order to succeed. After years of deferred maintenance, we’re at the point where we can no longer postpone making upgrades,” said Ting. “I’m glad the state could step in to help this valuable community asset.”

The scope of the work will include updating the electrical wiring in the gym, repaving the uneven school yard, upgrading the auditorium and fixing the locker room ceiling, which leaks. San Francisco Supervisor Katy Tang first brought the school’s condition to the attention of Assemblymember Ting.

In a major to move to increase police transparency in California, Governor Brown today signed AB 748 by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco). The landmark bill requires the release of recordings from body-worn cameras within 45 days of a critical incident, which is defined as the discharge of a firearm or use-of-force that causes death or great bodily harm.

“The Governor’s signature on AB 748 signifies a strong commitment to police transparency in California. Public access to body camera footage is necessary to boost confidence and rebuild trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve,” said Ting.

Current California law provides no clear or consistent policy regarding the release of body camera recordings. In April, the Los Angeles Police Commission adopted a policy similar to AB 748. But other departments commonly cite “pending investigation” as a reason to withhold the recordings under the Public Records Act. Such secrecy fosters mistrust after critical incidents occur. The new law does not supersede a department’s ability to set its own disclosure rules, so long as the rules comply with the general guidelines set forth in AB 748.

Footage from body-worn cameras can help shed light and provide clarity when there is confusion in the community after tragic events. The footage can even help clear law enforcement of any perceived wrongdoing. If releasing body camera recordings interferes with an investigation, AB 748 also allows for 30-day delays.

Passage of AB 1184 first step to securing $30 million from TNC Impact Tax to fund transit operations & infrastructure

San Francisco - City leaders kicked-off Transit Week Monday with the news that Governor Brown has signed Assembly Bill 1184, the first step in securing critical funding for San Francisco transportation projects. This past July, Supervisor Aaron Peskin withdrew his Private Transportation Tax from the November ballot, after negotiating a deal with ride-share companies to pursue an alternate tax on TNC net ride revenue through state and local processes.  The City's Chief Economist estimates the tax will generate $30 million annually, which would be dedicated to transportation infrastructure and operations. Assemblymember Phil Ting authored AB 1184 to affirm San Francisco's agreement with the private transportation industry to become the first city in California to levy a TNC impact tax.

"As San Francisco's economy grows, it must find ways to move people around safely.  The Governor's signature on AB 1184 is an important first step to raise much-needed revenue that'll improve roads, bike lanes, public transit and other transportation projects," said Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco.)

Supervisor Peskin co-chaired a six-month long Transportation Task Force 2045 (TTF2045) in his capacity as Chair of the San Francisco County Transportation Authority (SFCTA). The Task Force, comprised of a diverse cross-section of business, resident and advocate representatives, identified a $22 billion funding need over the next 27 years, without sustained local sources of funding to cover the need. One of the recommendations of the Task Force was to levy a TNC impact tax to mitigate the impacts of TNCs on congestion, declining public transit revenue and general wear-and-tear on City infrastructure. The negotiated agreement caps the proposed tax at 3.25 percent of net ride revenue for TNCs and driverless passenger vehicles, and 1.5 percent for shared rides. With the State-affirming legislation passed, the next step will be to put the TNC Impact Tax onto the November 2019 ballot.