Newsletters

Protecting Immigrants at Home, School, and Work

Dear Friend,

Our immigrant families are under attack. After trying to implement two unconstitutional executive orders, Trump has proposed that 10,000 new ICE agents deport anyone without proper documentation; after his Congressional allies have blocked comprehensive immigration reform. Trump’s attorney general has repeated the irresponsible threat to yank funding from sanctuary cities like San Francisco. Trump is sowing fear in our communities while making us less safe.

California is responding - with the California Values Act, SB 54, which limits state cooperation with federal law enforcement. This bill, along with a host of others, solidifies our status as the heart of the resistance to Trump. Earlier this year, I worked with legal aid attorneys around the state to propose the Immigrant Tenant Protection Act, to protect the vast majority of immigrants who are tenants.  AB 291 will deter the small number of unscrupulous landlords who use their tenants’ immigration status to harass or evict them. AB 291 recently passed the Judiciary Committee - after this incredible witness testimony.

Along with Assemblymember Patrick O'Donnell (D-Long Beach), I am authoring AB 699 to keep ICE out of classrooms. Our bill prohibits ICE officers from entering public schools with prior approval from a principal or district superintendent, and it prevents school officials from collecting information about the immigration status of a student. No student should fear going to school, and all parents should be able to send their kids to school knowing that they’re in a safe educational environment.

Last week, I joined the California Labor Federation, SEIU, and the faith community to unveil the Immigrant Worker Protection Act to address the illegal workplace raids that we anticipate are coming. AB 450 requires that employers  ask for a judicial warrant before granting ICE access to a worksite, and for a subpoena before sharing confidential employee information. Our immigrants who form the backbone of our economy should not go to work in fear.

As the son of immigrants and a former civil rights attorney, I am deeply committed to this work. I look forward to working with you as we fight to protect immigrant families at home, at school, and at work.

Sincerely,

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DAVID CHIU
Assemblymember - 17th Assembly District

Fighting Back AND Making Progress

Dear Friend,

As California has become the center of the resistance to the bizarre behaviors and destructive actions emanating from the White House, a question is being asked with increasing urgency: Can we fight back, while also making progress on the challenges that faced California before Donald Trump was elected?

I believe the answer is an emphatic yes; we must do both at the same time. We must fight back against Trump’s assault on health care, immigrants and our environment, even as we address California’s housing crisis, broken transportation and education gaps, to name a few.

These two efforts are actually dependent upon each other. Without effective resistance, many of our state’s gains will be lost. Without the push for progress, we will not have a shared vision of what our state - and our country - should be.

I look forward to working with you as we fight back and advance toward a better California.

Sincerely,

DAVID CHIU
Assemblymember - 17th Assembly District

Dear Friend,

Happy Lunar New Year - Gung Hay Fat Choy! Candace and I wish you and your family much happiness, good health and prosperity during this Year of the Rooster.

Defending and Advancing California Values

Dear Friend,

Happy Lunar New Year - Gung Hay Fat Choy! Candace and I wish you and your family much happiness, good health and prosperity during this Year of the Rooster.

During his first week in office, President Trump declared war against our immigrant communities. His actions - attacking sanctuary cities, imposing an unconstitutional Muslim travel ban, building a Mexican border wall - have been breathtaking. Our unpopular president has also promised to reverse the progress we’ve made in California on issues ranging from health care and housing to education and climate protection.

California’s elected leadership is united in opposition to these policies. Governor Jerry Brown delivered a fiery defense of California values in his State of the State address last week. I served on the special committee that vetted the Governor’s great selection to replace Kamala Harris, and am glad our newly sworn-in Attorney General Xavier Becerra joined 16 other Attorneys General in calling Trump’s executive order “unconstitutional, un-American and unlawful.” I’m working with legislative leaders in both the Assembly and the Senate to ensure we do everything we can to fight back.

My office is working hard to develop legislation for 2017 that will protect California values in areas like immigration, health, the environment and women’s rights. We also must show that progressive leadership can tackle the housing affordability crisis and the transportation gridlock that cause so many Californians to struggle.

Please feel free to contact our District Office if we can help with anything. I hope to see you soon at one of our events or my office hours.  

Sincerely,

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DAVID CHIU
Assemblymember - 17th Assembly District

Dear Friend,

Earlier this month, I took the oath of office to begin my second term as your Assemblymember for the 17th Assembly District. My deepest appreciation goes out to the voters of San Francisco for giving me the opportunity to continue representing our great city in the California State Legislature. My personal thanks also go out to my wife Candace, my parents, my wife's parents, my dedicated staff, and the amazing volunteers and community leaders who inspire me every day.

The national election results will challenge our values in a way we have not seen in generations, but they also provide a sobering reminder of why public service matters. Throughout the election, we witnessed continuous attacks on communities of color, immigrants, women, Muslims, LGBTQ individuals, the media, basic facts, our democratic norms and even common decency.

In the months and years ahead, we must again show that San Francisco and California can be shining examples of inclusive and progressive government. To that end, I want to encourage everyone to be vigilant and engaged in government by participating in my 2nd annual "There Ought to be a Law" program (more below).

This week, I was joined by my Assembly colleagues in announcing a package of bills to take on the affordable housing crisis. Since there is no single solution to the crisis, my colleagues and I have put forward solutions to increase housing funding, incentivize housing creation, enforce existing housing law, and shift the paradigm in how we address chronic homelessness. We've proposed to use scarce housing investments smartly by focusing on those who lack affordable housing, not on those few fortunate who own a second vacation home (see below).

I look forward to working with our legislative leadership, the Governor and all of you during this crucial moment in our history. Please feel free to contact my District Office if we can help with anything. I hope to see you soon at one of our events or my office hours.

Wishing you and your family a warm and safe Happy Holidays!

Sincerely,

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DAVID CHIU
Assemblymember, 17th District
Assistant Speaker Pro Tempore

Dear Friend,

With the 2016 legislative session complete, I’m pleased to report that Governor Brown signed 12 bills that our Chiu Crew sent to his desk, with only one veto. I appreciate the support of my fellow legislative colleagues, issue advocates and San Franciscans who helped us pass five bills to fight the affordable housing crisis, as well as other bills to increase voting by young people, protect LGBT families, promote healthy nail salons, and repeal anti-immigrant language from state law. Please see more below.

This fall, it has also been great to be back in our district, to spend time with many of you and to generate new ideas for the future. We have unfinished business on affordable housing, transportation funding, skyrocketing prescription drug prices, helping working families, and other issues crucial to our state.

Please feel free to contact my District Office if we can help with anything. I hope to see you soon at one of our events or my office hours. Happy Halloween!

Sincerely,

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David Chiu
Assemblymember - 17th Assembly District

Dear Friend,

The legislative session ends today at midnight - and what a session it has been. Earlier this year, we passed the $15 minimum wage and historic gun safety laws. In June, we approved an on-time balanced budget that invests in education and fighting inequality while putting money aside for the inevitable economic downturn. And last week, we renewed California’s commitment to lead to world in the fight against climate change. I was also proud to join my colleagues in support of a historic bill to give farmworkers the same overtime rights as other California workers.

The Governor just signed one of the bills I authored this year - AB 2739, which will help one of San Francisco’s historic theatres. Twelve more bills are on the Governor’s desk; he has until September 30 to act on them. Five of my bills take on the affordable housing crisis - please see below for details. Other bills will engage more young people in elections (AB 2455), continue efforts I began in San Francisco to incentivize Healthy Nail Salons free of harmful chemicals (AB 2125) and protect LGBT families using assisted reproduction (AB 2349). We’ll be advocating for all of them with the Governor’s office in the weeks ahead.

All our work is not done, of course. We have unfinished business on affordable housing funding, transportation, skyrocketing prescription drug prices, making sure rape kits are tested, and so many other issues crucial to our state.

On a fun note, Baby Lucas played ping pong for the first time to kick off the 6th Annual Chinatown Ping Pong Tournament a few weeks ago. When I was a little kid, my father taught me ping pong - it’s how we bonded after work. I’m looking forward to spending time in San Francisco this fall with my family and community members and starting to work on our legislative plan for next year.

Please feel free to reach out to my District Office if there are issues we can help with. I hope to see you soon at one of our events or office hours.

In this newsletter:

• Housing Bills Head to the Governor
• Upcoming Events
  • Western Addition Sunday Streets
  • Transit Week
  • 10th Annual Portola Garden District Tour
  • SoMa Office Hours

Sincerely,

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David Chiu
Assemblymember - 17th Assembly District

Dear Friend,

With the Assembly back in our respective districts in July, I've been able to spend time in San Francisco working with community members on a wide range of issues and projects. We came together to promote crucial data collection to improve health outcomes in the LGBT community. We've celebrated the renovations of the Bayview Opera House - a city treasure. And on a somber note, I joined many San Franciscans to reflect on - and stand against - the terrible violence that has afflicted our nation this summer.

Looking ahead, August is the last month of the 2015-16 legislative session - and thus the busiest time of the year in Sacramento. Hundreds of bills will move to the Governor's desk, while some will have to wait until next year. In addition to pushing to make my bills law (more on them below), I will continue to fight for funding for affordable housing - a crucial lingering challenge after the overall budget was passed in June.

Please be in touch with my District Office if there are issues we can help with - and I look forward to seeing you at one of our events or office hours.

In this newsletter:

• August Policy Priorities
• 2016 Veteran of the Year
• Bayview Opera House Reborn
• Upcoming Events
  • Districts 6 & 8 Community Forums
  • Mission Sunday Streets
  • Dogpatch Office Hours

Sincerely,

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David Chiu
Assemblymember - 17th Assembly District

A Time for Mourning and Pride

Dear Friend,

During last year’s Pride weekend in San Francisco, we celebrated the Supreme Court’s decision on marriage equality. This year, we mourned the horrific mass shooting in Orlando – a reminder of how far we still have to go. At Sunday’s Pride parade, the Chiu Crew and I joined Equality California to stand with Orlando and spread the message that we need to disarm hate. I am also proud to say that we have made tremendous progress on a package of far-reaching gun safety measures in Sacramento this month, even as Congress fails to pass modest gun legislation.

This June, we also approved an on-time balanced budget for the State of California that invests in the success of all of our residents – especially the most vulnerable – while also setting funds aside for the future. We have more work to do on affordable housing, but those discussions with the Governor will continue this summer. Please read below for more on the budget and some of our key bills that are moving through the legislative process.

As always, I welcome hearing from you if there are issues that we can help with - please do not hesitate to contact my District Office.  And I hope you can make it to one of our upcoming events.

Sincerely,

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DAVID CHIU
Assemblymember - 17th Assembly District

In this newsletter:

• A Responsible Budget that Tackles Inequality
• Legislative Update: Accountability for Rape Kit Backlogs; Student Voting Act
• Honoring Community Housing Partnership
• Upcoming Events

• • 32nd Annual Fillmore Jazz Festival
  • Tenderloin Sunday Streets
  • McLaren Park Treasure Hunt
  • Polk Street Office Hours

Dear Friend,

May has been an especially busy month in both San Francisco and Sacramento. Based on a housing budget proposal I put together with a dozen colleagues, I am happy to report that last week, the Assembly Budget Committee voted to invest $650 million in affordable housing -- a substantial investment that would help families struggling to keep up with skyrocketing rents and home prices in California.

On another crucial issue, I joined Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and others in announcing an aggressive gun control legislative package leading up to National Gun Violence Awareness Day. If you would like to join the movement, please wear orange on June 2 and post on social media with the hashtag #WearOrange. I hope you’ll read more about this below.

We also celebrated San Francisco’s Bike to Work Day this month - although my ride to work had fewer hills in Sacramento.  

As always, I would love to hear from you if there are issues that we can help with-- please don’t hesitate to contact my District Office!  I hope you can make it to one of the exciting events we have this month.

In this newsletter:

• Update on Affordable Housing Budget Proposal
• AB 2819 - Tenant Protection Bill Passes Assembly
• HR 52 - National Gun Violence Awareness Day
• 2016 Small Business of the Year -- Cliff’s Variety
• Upcoming Events

• • Summer Fest
  • Pride Parade
  • Glen Park Office Hours

Sincerely,

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DAVID CHIU
Assemblymember - 17th Assembly District