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New legislation announced Wednesday would require plastic and other single-use materials sold in California to be either reusable, fully recyclable or compostable by 2030. The measure would also require the state to recycle or otherwise divert from landfills 75% of single-use plastic packaging and products sold or distributed in California, up from the 44% of all solid waste that was diverted as of 2017.

For full story see latimes.com

A Los Angeles-area lawmaker is proposing a 2020 ballot measure that would remove from the California Constitution a provision that makes it harder to build low-income housing. Sen. Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) wants to eliminate Article 34 of the state Constitution, which requires a citywide public vote before new low-income housing projects that receive public funding are built. The provision was added to the Constitution through a ballot initiative in 1950, and Allen said it was a relic in need of repeal.

For full story see latimes.com

Research shows that students who participate in visual and performing arts in school do better academically, socially, emotionally and, eventually, economically.

Despite a longstanding state law requiring California’s public schools to provide arts education, only 38 percent of students have access to music, dance, theatre or visual arts classes. Compounding this injustice, students with little or no access live predominantly in low-income communities. This isn't right and it's time to fix it.

I have introduced Senate Bill 933, which would begin to close the access gap by creating a

Catching swordfish off the coast of California today means leaving mile long mesh nets deep in the ocean overnight. But what fishermen pull up is mostly not swordfish. For every one of the hefty, long-billed swordfish in a net, it’s estimated that there are four other marine animals entangled there.

The particular kind of drift “gill nets” used by sword fishermen have holes sized to ensnare swordfish (by their gills, hence the name). But the nets also capture dolphins, whales, sharks, sea turtles and numerous other species of fish. At least half of this “bycatch” is tossed back out to sea —

Whale watchers were elated last summer by the rare sight of more than 40 short-finned pilot whales frolicking in the Southern California surf. But the excited onlookers were likely unaware of the hidden dangers lurking below the waves, threatening the lives of these whales and many of the world’s most iconic sea creatures.

Off the California coast, commercial swordfish fishermen use antiquated mile-long nets – called large-mesh drift gillnets – that are left overnight in the ocean, where they can entangle whales, dolphins, sea lions, sharks and other fish.

Released By: John Myers - The Los Angeles Times

SACRAMENTO – California officials could be barred from transferring the title for federal government land to a private owner under a law signed by Gov. Jerry Brown, prompted by fears that President Trump may shift away from previous efforts at preservation.

The new law, which takes effect in January, will insist that the state government get the first right of refusal to buy any land discarded or sold by federal officials.

"This legislation gives the state a viable way to help prevent the unthinkable sell-off of our public treasures, such as

Released By: Melanie Curry - Streetsblog Claifornia

SACRAMENTO – This sounds wonky, but it’s a big deal, so pay attention:

Governor Brown just signed S.B. 150, from Senator Ben Allen (D-Redondo Beach), which will bring California regional governments a few steps closer to being accountable for working to reduce greenhouse gases.

“S.B. 150 helps California combat climate change by focusing on how communities are designed and built,” wrote Victoria Rome of the Natural Resources Defense Council. “The bill requires consideration of climate change in regional planning, leading to better designed

Released By: Californians Against Waste

SACRAMENTO – Senator Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) and Assembly Member Phil Ting (D- San Francisco) were honored by the environmental organization Californians Against Waste (CAW) this week for their leadership and support for recycling legislation.

Each year CAW recognizes members of the Legislature for their efforts to advance waste reduction and recycling policy in California at its annual “Birthday Bash” reception.

Assembly Member Phil Ting was honored for his leadership tackling needed improvements to the state’s beverage container recycling program

The California Arts Council was at the state Capitol on Wednesday as artists, arts agencies, organizations and advocacy groups gathered for a seat at the table of the Joint Committee on the Arts. Joint Committee Chair Senator Ben Allen and other committee members listened intently and asked questions as various panelists expressed their views on the state of the arts in California.

At the top of the agenda was the newly released Otis Report on the Creative Economy of California, with special attention paid to the addendum white paper addressing the need for safe and affordable live-work

California lawmakers advocated for the Ocean Pollution Reduction Act, a bill that will include a statewide ban on "Styrofoam food packaging" that cannot be recycled or composted, on Monday at the University of California- Los Angeles.

Courtney Friel reports for the KTLA 5 News at 1 on May 22, 2017

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