Candidate for
State Senator; District 26

BIOGRAPHY

Betsy Butler was elected to the State Assembly in 2010 in the old 53rd Assembly District (AD). The 53rd AD stretched from Venice and Marina del Rey to the South Bay including Playa del Rey, El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach and Torrance all of which are included in the 26th Senate District.

Betsy's commitment to justice, working families and the environment spans her entire career, including her time working at the California League of Conservation Voters, the Environmental Defense Fund and the Consumer Attorneys of California. Betsy also served in the Clinton administration in the International Trade Administration at the Department of Commerce.

Betsy is serving her eighth year as a Board Member of Equality California. She also currently serves on the Board of the Redondo Beach Veteran's Memorial Task Force, on the Board of the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Project of Los Angeles and on the Advisory Board of Peace Over Violence, a domestic violence education and support organization. She is the former President of the National Women's Political Caucus (LA Westside Chapter) and a former appointed member of the California Film Commission.

A resident of the district for more than twenty-five years, Betsy has been active in local political, grassroots and community organizations promoting sustainable and healthy communities.

LEGISLATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS

In the legislature, Betsy's work focused on fighting for consumers, protecting the environment and advocating for our working families, seniors and veterans. Governor Brown signed fourteen of Betsy's bills in her two-year term, reflecting her priorities and values:

Protecting our children and the environment.

The Toxin-Free Infants and Toddlers Act, AB 1319, banned the use of the toxic chemical Bisphenol-A (BPA) in baby bottles and sippy cups. AB 475, also signed by the Governor, promotes the use of electric and hybrid vehicles.

Fighting for our seniors.

Also signed by the Governor, AB 332 addressed elder identity theft and AB 2149 changed state law to allow seniors and dependent adults to publicly speak out against their abusers even if they receive financial restitution.

Standing up for our veterans.

Betsy carried a number of bills that were signed by the Governor (AB 2371, AB 2490 and AB 1940) to ensure our veterans have access to all the benefits and opportunities they deserve upon returning to the United States. She was named the Vietnam Veterans of America's Legislator of the Year in 2011 and the American Veterans (AMVETS) Legislator of the Year in 2012 in recognition of her work.

Safeguarding consumer's rights.

AB 2118 was signed into law and protects against fraudulent moving companies and AB 771 limits the fees that can be assessed by homeowner associations during a home purchase transaction. AB 1700 was signed by the Governor and ensures that no LGBT person is at risk of losing a home that he or she co-owns with a loved one when one partner passes away.

Bringing awareness to critical issues.

Betsy also introduced and championed important bills that were not signed into law - AB 2346 sought to safeguard California farmworkers from abusive work conditions and ensure shade and water is readily available and AB 972 sought to place a moratorium on hydraulic fracking.