Assemblymember Bloom Disappointed Hydraulic Fracturing Moratorium Bill Failed

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Created on Monday, 03 June 2013 09:34

(Sacramento) -- Legislation to impose a moratorium on the dangerous oil extraction activity known as hydraulic fracturing, also known as "fracking," failed to secure enough votes for passage in the State Assembly. Following the vote Assemblymember Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica) said, "I am disappointed that we failed to pass any meaningful protections against the inherent dangers of hydraulic fracturing today. We pride ourselves on being a national leader on environmental protection, yet we have allowed this activity to occur largely unregulated despite multiple studies and reports warning us of the dangers." Here's more from Assemblymember Bloom in this Assembly Access video.

Assemblyman Bloom Wraps up Natural Resources and Transportation Budget Committee Work

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Created on Wednesday, 29 May 2013 13:55

SACRAMENTO – Assembly Member Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica), Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee #3 which oversees natural resources and transportation funding, late yesterday finalized the subcommittee’s work for the 2013-14 State Budget.  The subcommittee’s work was presented by Mr. Bloom to the full Assembly Budget Committee and was voted out 16-10 and sent to the Assembly Floor along with the other four subcommittee reports.

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Assemblymember Bloom: Better Accounting Practices Needed at CPUC

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Created on Wednesday, 20 March 2013 13:27

(Sacramento) -- Assemblymember Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica), Chair of Budget Subcommittee #3 on Resources and Transportation, conducted a special informational hearing on the California Public Utilities Commission because a recent Department of Finance audit showed there was more than a million dollars in discrepancies in seven separate funds controlled by the CPUC. Assemblymember Bloom says much of the money came from ratepayers and the CPUC's poor accounting practices means millions of dollars are unaccounted for.

Meeting with the Consul General of Armenia

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Created on Wednesday, 27 February 2013 12:00

Assemblymember Richard Bloom joined Assemblymembers Nazarian and Achadjian in meeting with Grigor Hovhannissian, Consul General of Armenia. The group discussed relations between Armenia and the United States, and other issues of importance for the Armenian-American community in Southern California.

Assembly Member Bloom Responds to Hate Group Protests

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Created on Monday, 25 February 2013 10:23

SACRAMENTO - In response to the hateful and discriminatory protests by the West Baptist Church over the last two days in Malibu, Hollywood, and Santa Monica, Assembly Member Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica) issued the following statement:

"I condemn the Westboro Baptist Church's hate-filled and disgusting antics. Their unwelcome and sick behavior has no place in our community. I applaud those who are responding by either ignoring Westboro Baptist Church or engaging in a measured response that reflects civility and promotes tolerance, compassion, and inclusiveness."

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First Bill - AB 283

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Created on Wednesday, 20 February 2013 10:57

Assemblymember Richard Bloom (D – Santa Monica) introduced his first bill in the State Assembly this week. The bill, AB 283, addresses concerns of community college districts over uncertainties in state funding. Community college districts base their budgets on the Department of Finance's projections for property tax revenue in the subsequent year. When actual property tax collections fall below these projections, community colleges have to absorb the shortfall. AB 283 would create a new adjustment mechanism that guarantees a minimum level of funding for community college districts.

"California's community colleges are a critical part of our educational infrastructure," Bloom remarked. "It's essential that they have the same certainty that our public K-12 schools enjoy surrounding their budgets. This will allow them to effectively plan and deliver a quality education to the students they serve. That's why I am excited to introduce AB 283 as my first bill."

Assembly Member Bloom Comments on Recent Controversy Surrounding Cal Fire Special Account

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Created on Tuesday, 29 January 2013 10:25

SACRAMENTO – Assembly Member Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica), Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Resources and Transportation, today sent a letter to Ken Pimlott, Director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) requesting a thorough explanation of the recently discovered Wildland Fire Investigation Training and Equipment Fund. Bloom's letter is in response to reports over the weekend that the department may have mishandled $3.6 million in public funds.

"I am deeply concerned that a state department has potentially mismanaged taxpayer dollars," said Bloom. "I sincerely hope that the department will be able to provide a reasonable explanation and accounting within the next few weeks along with a plan for taking corrective action."

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Bloom Takes Oath as Newest Assemblymember for 50th Assembly District

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Created on Monday, 03 December 2012 11:59

(SACRAMENTO) -  Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica) was sworn in today as the Assemblymember for the California’s 50th Assembly District.  The district is comprised of Agoura Hills, Malibu, Topanga, Pacific Palisades, Bel Air, Brentwood, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood and areas of West Los Angeles and Hollywood.  The ceremony was held on the Assembly Floor at the State Capitol.

“This is an great honor, and I am humbled that the people of the 50th District put their faith in me,” said Bloom.

First elected to the Santa Monica City Council in 1999, Bloom just completed his third, non-consecutive, term as Mayor.  He has also served two terms as Mayor pro Tem during his 13 years on the City Council.

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