Press Releases

Sacramento, CA – Legislation authored by Senator Ben Allen (D – Santa Monica) to remove current law’s prohibition on public financing of campaigns was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown today.

“Californians are demanding greater accountability from their elected officials, and rightfully so.  Anything we can do to empower communities to reduce the influence of money in campaigns is a good thing,” said Senator Allen.

Sacramento, CA – A measure authored by Senator Ben Allen (D – Santa Monica) and Senator Robert Hertzberg (D – Van Nuys) to transform the way elections are conducted was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown today.  SB 450 authorizes counties to replace neighborhood polling places with conveniently located vote centers and allow voting in the 10 days preceding and election; it also requires every voter to be mailed a vote-by-mail ballot.

Sacramento, CA – Legislation authored by Senator Ben Allen (D – Santa Monica) allowing counties and general law cities to establish independent redistricting commissions was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown today.

“This is a good government policy that will bring a refreshing level of independence to what historically has been a highly politicized process,” Senator Allen said.

Sacramento, CA – Legislation authored by Senator Ben Allen (D – Santa Monica) to establish single-subject teaching credentials for theatre and for dance was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown today.

“California is the arts and entertainment capital of the world, yet we are one of only two states in the country that does not authorize teaching credentials in theatre or dance,” Allen said.  “I am so pleased that we have finally elevated these two important disciplines to the stature they deserve,” he added.

SACRAMENTO, CA – Legislation authored by Senator Ben Allen (D – Santa Monica) to

strengthen the mitigation of methane gas leaks from underground storage facilities was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown today.  The bill, SB 888, requires fines and penalties assessed for a gas leak to be at least equal the amount needed to fully mitigate the climate impacts of the leak.  The legislation also improves the state’s response to future gas leaks by designating the Office of Emergency Services as the lead point of contact for the government.

CARSON, Calif. – During a special board meeting on September 7, 2016, the West Basin Municipal Water District (West Basin) Board of Directors presented State Senator Ben Allen with its 2015 Legislator of the Year award. The annual award recognizes legislators who help the water industry and West Basin to provide more reliable water supplies through legislation and advocacy.

Sacramento, CA – Legislation authored by Senator Ben Allen (D – Santa Monica) to remove current law’s prohibition on public financing of campaigns received final approval from the legislature today.  The measure, SB 1107, passed the state Senate on a vote of 27 – 12, just one day after it received a bipartisan, 55 votes in the state Assembly.