Senator Benjamin Allen

SACRAMENTO, CA – A new bill, SB 483, jointly authored by Senator Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) and Senator Steve Glazer (D – Orinda) would authorize the statewide sale of $2 billion in general obligation bonds earmarked for California public university and college facilities. 

Los Angeles, CA — Today, Senator Ben Allen (D – Santa Monica) spoke to the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce’s Education & Workforce Council about the status of California’s teacher shortage, early childhood education, career and technical education, the achievement gap and immigrant students in higher education. The meeting was attended by over 50 business, non-profit and education leaders.

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 – 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) 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 – On a unanimous vote, Senator Ben Allen (D – Santa Monica) was selected as the Vice-Chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus at a gathering of Caucus members in San Francisco today.  Allen is beginning his third year representing the Westside, Hollywood and South Bay of Los Angeles in the California State Senate.

SACRAMENTO – California Senators Jerry Hill and Ben Allen introduced a joint resolution today calling upon other states to pass National Popular Vote (NPV) legislation to ensure that electoral votes for the president of the United States reflect the will of American voters.

SACRAMENTO, CA —Senator Ben Allen (D – Santa Monica) has been named co-chair of the California Environmental Legislative Caucus for the 2017-18 legislative session.    He and Assemblymember Mark Stone (D-Monterey Bay) were chosen by their peers to lead the caucus, which provides a forum for legislators to discuss and coordinate their actions on environmental challenges facing the state. Currently, 51 Senators and Assemblymembers are members of the caucus.

SACRAMENTO, CA — Senator Ben Allen (D – Santa Monica) responded to Governor Jerry Brown’s 2017 State of the State Address this morning, commending the Governor for his strong vision of California’s future.