Press Releases

An influx of new resources will strengthen California’s response to the MPX (formerly known as monkeypox) outbreak, as a result of Governor Newsom signing AB 179 this week. A provision in that budget bill immediately allocates $41.5 million for vaccine access, testing, treatments and outreach/education – with an emphasis to include disadvantaged and marginalized communities. One of the key lessons of COVID-19 has been the need for our public health system to better serve them.

“Because of the slow federal response this summer, state and local efforts have been key to addressing the MPX virus. This funding not only keeps resources flowing, but it also builds them up. We must make sure hospitals, clinics, patients, and advocacy groups continue to get what they need during a public health emergency,” said Assembly Budget Chair Phil Ting (D-San Francisco).

Two weeks into the new school year at the Jefferson Elementary School District, teachers, parents and students received welcome news that the state will help make commutes safer. Assembly Budget Chair Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) announced $3.2 million from the state budget for the Daly City Safe Routes To School project. It entails wider sidewalks, higher visibility crosswalks, shorter crossing distances and other general improvements for increased pedestrian and bicycling safety.

“In order to meet our climate change goals and instill healthy habits in our kids, we must make walking or biking to and from school viable. But these options must be safe,” said Ting, whose district includes northern San Mateo County. “Communities of color often don’t get the transportation infrastructure they need, and I’m thrilled I could secure the funding that will be impactful for generations.”

After today’s concurrence vote by the California State Assembly, drivers may soon see changes to the way late fees and penalties are assessed on unpaid tolls. AB 2594 by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) is now headed to the Governor, who will consider whether to bring more fairness and equity into the way outstanding toll charges are handled.

“While I applaud the use of technology for toll payments, we’ve disproportionately impacted drivers who don’t have debit or credit cards. The fines and penalties imposed on unpaid tolls can total more than a ticket for traffic violations,” said Ting. “We shouldn’t saddle Californians with unrelenting debt just for going to work.”

California may soon be legalizing safe street crossings after final legislative approval was given today to AB 2147, The Freedom To Walk Act by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco). The bill now heads to the Governor, who has until September 30th to act.

In Ting’s continued efforts to seek fairness in fines and prevent potentially escalating police stops for jaywalking, his legislation ends law enforcement’s ability to cite pedestrians for jaywalking when roadways are clear. Jaywalking is arbitrarily enforced throughout California, with tickets disproportionately given to people of color and lower-income individuals who cannot afford tickets that often total hundreds of dollars.

Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) issued the following statement regarding today’s California Air Resources Board action on zero-emission vehicles: “I have always believed California should lead the clean car movement. That was the idea behind my 2018 bill, AB 1745, which banned the sale of new, gas-powered vehicles in our state by 2040. While the legislation stalled, it sparked conversations about how we can move in that direction. Since then, our climate crisis has worsened with transportation remaining a top contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Today’s vote by the California Air Resources Board is a necessary step to accelerate our efforts to save the environment and protect our health. It will also create good-paying clean energy jobs and reinforce our state's role as a global climate leader.

According to nonprofit, Self Help For the Elderly, the fastest growing demographic is seniors, and by 2030, nearly one-third of the city’s residents will be at least 60 years old with nearly half identifying as Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI). In order to meet the growing needs of AAPI seniors living in San Francisco’s Sunset District, Assembly Budget Chair Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) announced $3.5 million from the California budget to enhance and improve services at two facilities serving this population.

“I want our elders to age with dignity and enjoy their independence. That means we must invest in community spaces where they can live out their golden years in safe, nurturing environments among people they know and in neighborhoods they’re familiar with. Not only does the state funding I secured provide options for a healthy lifestyle, but it also enables them to thrive,” said Ting, whose district includes the Sunset.

Ting joins ten other state lawmakers in urging Health & Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to allow flexibility in the use of Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) funds so that California can respond to monkeypox. With quick action, the spread of this contagious disease can be stopped. Read the full letter here. 

The exciting redesign of Chinatown’s Portsmouth Square got a boost today with an announcement from Assembly Budget Chair Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) that the project will receive $4 million in state funding. The investment is part of a continued effort to prioritize Asian American Pacific Islanders communities, complementing last year’s $166.5 million API Equity Budget.

“It’s important that residents in this densely populated neighborhood have a place to enjoy the outdoors within walking distance of their homes. A more open and inviting layout will better serve seniors and multigenerational families who enjoy using Portsmouth Square,” said Ting. “I’m happy to lead the efforts to partner with the City in making sure we address the needs of API communities, and they get the investment they deserve.”

In a move to hold firearms manufacturers and retailers more accountable in California, Governor Newsom signed AB 1594 by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco). The bill empowers residents, the state Attorney General, and local governments to sue the gun industry for the harm their products cause when they don’t follow our state’s strict gun laws. The threat of civil litigation aims to push the gun industry to be more responsible and improve their practices.

Assemblymember Budget Committee Chair Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), the Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs and community groups today celebrated the distribution of $30.3 million in Stop AAPI Hate grants to combat the rising number of attacks targeting this community. The Transformative Grants represent the second round of funding, as part of last year’s historic $166.5 million API Equity Budget dedicated to providing resources and services to victims, while also strengthening violence prevention programs. The first round, totaling $14.2 million, was allocated last Spring.