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 passed the legislature today. The bill, SB 450, was approved on a bipartisan, final vote of 26 - 11in the state Senate.
Sacramento, CA – Legislation authored by Senator Ben Allen (D – Santa Monica) to allow counties and general law cities to establish independent redistricting commissions passed the legislature today on a vote of 35 – 3 in the state Senate.
“This is a good government policy that will bring a refreshing level of independence to what historically has been a very politicized process across the state,” Senator Allen said.
Sacramento, CA – Legislation authored by Senator Ben Allen (D – Santa Monica) that will transform the way elections are conducted in California passed the state Assembly today on a vote of 42 - 28.
“Our current system of limiting voters to one polling location on a single day has failed. It is time to implement a new voting model that allows people to vote conveniently, close to where they work, shop and congregate,” Senator Allen said.
For more information contact:
Susan DeMarois, State Policy Director
sdemarois@alz.org or (cell) 916-502-1502
Alzheimer’s Association recognizes Allen for compassion, intellect and persistence
Sacramento, CA – A measure authored by Senator Ben Allen (D – Santa Monica) and Senator Mark Leno (D – San Francisco) urging California’s Congressional representatives to work to overturn the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision will appear on the November 2016 ballot. Today, Governor Jerry Brown allowed SB 254 to become law without his signature, clearing the way for the Citizens United question to advance to the statewide ballot.
Sacramento, CA – Legislation authored by Senator Ben Allen (D – Santa Monica) to
improve the mitigation of methane gas leaks from underground storage facilities passed the state Senate on a vote of 28—10 today. SB 888 requires gas leak emissions to be fully mitigated and paid for through the fines and penalties assessed against the responsible gas company, not rate payer funds. It also will improve the state’s response to similar gas leaks in the future by designating the Office of Emergency Services as the lead point of contact for the government.
Santa Monica, CA - Every year, in a tradition dating back to 1987, the California State Senate celebrates Women’s History Month by recognizing remarkable women throughout the state who make a positive difference in their communities. On Friday, May 27th, more than 200 community members joined Senator Ben Allen (D – Santa Monica) at the historic Santa Monica Bay Woman’s Club as he honored Amy Ziering as this year’s Senate District 26 Woman of the Year.
Sacramento, CA – Urgency legislation authored by Senator Ben Allen (D – Santa Monica) passed the legislature and was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown today decriminalizing organ donations by HIV-positive persons to HIV-positive persons in need of an organ transplant. The bill, SB 1408, will improve the life expectancies of people with HIV who need organ transplants by removing California’s prohibition on donating organs while HIV positive.
