AB 1552 will prohibit California from contracting with businesses engaged in boycotts against Israel
SACRAMENTO, California, March 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Assemblyman Travis Allen (R-Huntington Beach) expressed his appreciation that Principal Co-author Assemblyman Matt Dababneh, Assemblyman Mike Gatto, and Senator Jeff Stone and a large group of co-authors have solidified the bi-partisan coalition behind AB 1552, which prohibits California from contracting with businesses that engage in boycotts against Israel. AB 1552 seeks to reinforce California's economic interests and ensures that our relationships with trading partners and allies are not undermined by companies here and abroad.
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"The fight against discrimination is a non-partisan issue. I am honored to have my colleagues join me in co-authoring this historic bipartisan legislation and putting an end to taxpayer funded prejudice," said Assemblyman Travis Allen. "California and Israel have historically stood together as allies due to our unique bond founded on shared values, a bilateral trade relationship, and our unwavering commitment to freedom and democracy. It is unconscionable for our state to do business with companies that play politics and boycott our critical allies."
Principal Co-Author Assemblyman Matt Dababneh
"I am co-authoring Assembly Bill 1552 to make sure California sends a clear message that taxpayer funded state contracts will not go to organizations or companies that engage in discrimination against U.S. Democratic allies, especially Israel. In our business relationships, California must avoid giving the appearance of endorsing organizations that seek to harm our close allies or further discriminatory agendas like the BDS movement, and this bipartisan legislation, AB 1552, sends a strong message that California will not support such discriminatory or anti-Semitic efforts."
Assemblyman Mike Gatto
"I am proud to join in bipartisan legislation reaffirming that discrimination is simply not acceptable in our great state," said Assemblyman Mike Gatto. "This bill backs that commitment by creating consequences for bigots who currently prosper from doing business with the most economically powerful state in the country."
Senator Jeff Stone
"Israel is a valuable ally to the United States, and California consumers and businesses benefit greatly from our mutual trade relationships with the people of Israel. If certain companies choose not to do business with Israel, California should not do business with them. That's all that AB 1552 seeks to accomplish, and I'm proud to stand with our trading partners and national security partners in Israel to promote free and fair trade between our two great nations," said Senator Jeff Stone.
Others coauthors include:
A copy of AB 1552 can be found here.
CONTACT: Stephanie Freedman
(916) 319-2072
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