Press Releases

Senator Allen Issues Statement Following Governor’s 2021-22 State Budget Proposal

Friday, January 8, 2021

Sacramento, CA – Responding to Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposed $227 billion state budget, State Senator Ben Allen (D – Santa Monica) released the following statement:

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November Election Results Certified, Confirming Voter’s Choice Act Contributed to Record Votes Cast Despite Pandemic

Monday, December 14, 2020

Sacramento, CA – California’s chief elections officer published his official Statement of Vote on December 11, confirming an all-time record number of votes cast and especially high voter turnout and engagement, aided by Senator Allen's Voter’s Choice Act of 2016 (VCA). The VCA enabled county elections officials to implement more options for how and where to vote in the November 3 election, allowing every registered voter to receive a vote-by-mail ballot and switching neighborhood polling places to better-equipped vote centers.

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Senator Allen Issues Statement Upon Commencement of 2021-2022 Legislative Session, Discusses the COVID Crisis and Year Ahead

Monday, December 7, 2020

Sacramento, CA – At the start of the 2021-2022 legislative session, today, Senator Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) released the following statement:

“These are difficult times, and Californians are hurting today. With the COVID-19 vaccine on its way, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. However, the medical, epidemiological, psychological, and economic consequences of this crisis continue to be alarmingly dire. We must get through this pandemic and fully restart our economy again as quickly as possible.

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Los Angeles’ Jewish Family Service LA Recognized as District 26 Nonprofit of the Year by California State Senator Ben Allen

Thursday, October 29, 2020

Sacramento, CA – Los Angeles nonprofit, Jewish Family Service LA, has been recognized by Senator Ben Allen as District 26 Woman of the Year. A comprehensive network of support services that welcomes individuals and families of all ages and identities to a full spectrum of care, Jewish Family Service LA offers critical services and support to guide others on paths to safety, security, wellness, and fulfillment.

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California Approves Ban on Toxic Chemicals to Protect Firefighters and Drinking Water

Wednesday, September 30, 2020


Sacramento, CA – A bill to ban dangerous chemicals was signed into law yesterday in California.

Senate Bill 1044 by Senator Ben Allen, D-Santa Monica, will ban the manufacture, sale and use of firefighting foam that contains chemicals known as per-and poly-fluoralkyl substances, or PFAS. Used in commercial and industrial products like carpet, clothing and non-stick coatings since the 1950s, PFAS resist heat, stains and water. PFAS is used in firefighting foam and commercial products and is linked to health problems such as cancer, hormone disruption, kidney and liver damage, thyroid disease, birth defects, harm to developing infants and children, and drinking water contamination.

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Beverly Hills’ Lisa Zola Greer Recognized as District 26 Woman of the Year by California State Senator Ben Allen

Thursday, September 17, 2020

Sacramento, CA – Beverly Hills philanthropist, author and entrepreneur, Lisa Zola Greer, has been recognized by Senator Ben Allen as District 26 Woman of the Year. An active real estate investor, an advisor to many nonprofits, and the co-founder of Tandem Careplanning, a Public-Benefit Corporation that champions both care seekers and caregivers, Lisa Zola Greer is an active and involved member of the Beverly Hills community.

“Greer’s commitment to Beverly Hills is well-rounded, supporting many different facets of her community,” said Senator Ben Allen, D-Santa Monica. “Supporting non-profits, the Jewish community, cultural heritage, and more – her widespread advocacy deserves proper recognition.”

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Chair of CA State Senate Committee on Environmental Quality Responds to Proposed E.P.A. Rollbacks

Friday, June 5, 2020

(Sacramento, CA) – President Trump on Thursday, taking another swipe at long-standing national environmental safeguards, signed an executive order asking federal agencies to waive required environmental reviews of infrastructure projects built during the COVID-19 induced economic downturn.  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has also proposed changes to the way the agency assesses and enacts Clean Air Act regulations--in essence weakening future air pollution rules.

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Senator Allen Statement on Ethnic Studies

Friday, May 29, 2020

Sacramento, CA -- Today, Senator Ben Allen (D - Santa Monica), Chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus, released the following statement:

"Like many Jewish organizations, the California Legislative Jewish Caucus has supported ethnic studies. While our Caucus and the Jewish Community had serious concerns about certain aspects of the draft model curriculum, we are hopeful that further discussions and modifications will result in a curriculum that everyone can feel good about."

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Ban on Toxic Chemicals to Protect Firefighters and Drinking Water Moves Ahead in California Senate

Friday, May 29, 2020

Sacramento, CA – A plan to ban dangerous chemicals took a step forward today in the California Senate.  

Senate Bill 1044 by Senator Ben Allen, D-Santa Monica, would ban the manufacture, sale and use of firefighting foam that contains chemicals known as per-and poly-fluoralkyl substances, or PFAS, except for where it is federally required. Used in commercial and industrial products like carpet, clothing and non-stick coatings since the 1950s, PFAS resist heat, stains and water. PFAS is used in firefighting foam and commercial products and is linked to health problems such as cancer, hormone disruption, kidney and liver damage, thyroid disease, birth defects, harm to developing infants and children, and drinking water contamination.

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Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Legislation Moves Forward in California Senate

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Sacramento, CA – The work of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy preserving open space in the Santa Monica Mountains would be made easier with a bill that just passed the Senate Natural Resources Committee.

The legislation, proposed by Senator Ben Allen, would save the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy (SMMC) time and resources by cutting red tape and allowing for more direct coordination between Conservancy staff and property owners during land encroachment negotiations.  

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