California approved the most sweeping restrictions on plastics in the nation late last week, a move that will most likely reshape the way we shop and recycle over the next decade. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 54 on Thursday, the same day the U.S.
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“With this legislation, California continues its tradition of global environmental leadership — tackling a major problem in a way that will move and grow markets, create incentives for investment, and give tools to other states and countries to help play their part in this fight,” said Allen.
The bill is an improvement over the ballot measure in several ways. For one thing, it is more detailed. The bill requires that 65% of all single-use plastic must be getting recycled or composted by 2032, while the ballot measure merely requires all plastic to be recyclable or compostable by 2030.
Ben Allen wants to see California re-invest its budget surplus into programs he said have been neglected for too long. Speaking to the Santa Monica Democratic Club last Wednesday, the State Senator said as the fiscal year 2022-23 budget drew nearer, he was advocating in Sacramento for ways to see State money directed toward infrastructure, education and climate resiliency.
(S)taff is in the process of referring suspected fraudulent activity to the state Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General. The audit was requested by state Sen. Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica), the author of Senate Bill 664, which mandated it.
But there’s a sheep-like quality to most California politicians as they propose government rebate checks and tinkering with gas taxes rather than attacking the real problem – oil company greed.
State Sen. Ben Allen announced legislation to require refiners to publicize how much they pay for crude oil, how much it costs to refine that oil, and the amount of profit they make per gallon of gas they sell.
“What we’re trying to get at is what’s behind this mystery gas surcharge,” Allen said.
The Housing Department is preparing a new ballot measure for November. It’s a waste of time, energy and money for the city, and that’s why Mayor Eric Garcetti began working with state Sen. Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) four years ago to repeal Article 34. It’s a remnant of an era that California should repudiate.
