Category Archives: CFC in the News
Ballot information omits Proposition 1A tax extensions
by Kevin Yamamura, Sacramento Bee
Hancock ceded her right to three groups, the Congress of California Seniors, the California Faculty Association and the Consumer Federation of California. Their argument, backed by Hancock, emphasizes that the bill was “hastily drafted behind closed doors” and that a spending limit would hurt state services, but it does not mention any of the tax extensions.
California Budget: Big Business is Only Winner
by Richard Holober, Executive Director, Consumer Federation of California, California Progress Report
The budget fiasco has provoked a healthy discussion of the need for governance reform. The starting point for reform should be asserting the democratic principle of majority rule. California must eliminate super-majority requirements that facilitate budget tyranny by a small cabal of extremist lawmakers.
CA implementing facial recognition software for DMV
by Caren Sachs, OhMyGov.com
Perhaps the worst part about this new contract is the fact that it was proposed under the radar, without the public being made aware of it, so citizens don’t even have the chance to ask all of the questions they want regarding their privacy and security. Read More ›
DMV proposal for face-detection technology irks privacy groups
by Edwin Garcia, San Jose Mercury News
The ACLU is fighting the proposal with a handful of other groups, including…the Consumer Federation of California, which says the plan poses “massive threats” to personal privacy. “We see this as sort of creeping Big Brother government, an invasion of people’s privacy,” said Richard Holober, executive director of the…Consumer Federation of California.
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Calif. DMV tried to sneak in biometrics for driver’s licenses, groups claim
by Jaikumar Vijayan, Computerworld
The problem is that the DMV’s plan has not been vetted by anyone and no analysis has been made of the potential security and privacy implications, said Richard Holober, executive director of the Consumer Federation of California. Read More ›
Dmv End Run Threatens Our Privacy
by Richard Holober, CFC Executive Director, California Progress Report
…the DMV contract proposal would give government snoops new weapons to identify and record your presence at a protest rally or picket line. California lawmakers should stand up against the further expansion of government data collection technology that can be used to invade our privacy without first setting ironclad rules that limit its use to essential and lawful purposes.
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Federal Bailout Blues
by Mike Sugerman, KCBS
Calls for tighter controls and more information about how the federal bailout passed last year is being spent. And during his travels About the Bay, KCBS reporter Mike Sugerman started thinking about just who is getting that money. Listen to the CFC’s Zack Kaldveer comment on the bill. Read More ›
Consumer Protection Bills Going into Effect on January 1, 2009
by Zack Kaldveer, Consumer Federation of California, California Progress Report
Every year the Consumer Federation of California monitors, supports, and opposes dozens of bills related to consumer rights. Every year many of these bills are “killed” in the legislature while many others reach the Governor’s desk to either be signed into law or vetoed.
Have your consumer rights improved?
by Michael Finney, ABC News "7 on Your Side"
“Retailers either have to remove the product from their shelves or post a notice that its recalled and program their computers, their cash registers, not to allow someone to purchase that product,” said Richard Holober from the Consumer Federation of California. Read More ›
Wiggins earns perfect score from consumer advocacy group
by Editor, Lake County News
North Coast State Senator Patricia Wiggins (D-Santa Rosa) earned a perfect 100-percent on the Consumer Federation of California’s recently-released scorecard for state lawmakers. She was one of only four Senators to vote correctly on all of the federation’s targeted legislation in 2008.
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Toxic TVs: Shoppers should consider manufacturers’ recycling records
by Richard Holober, CFC Executive Director, California Progress Report
Some progress has been made, but there are a woefully inadequate number of locations to allow for easy and convenient TV recycling for most consumers. Read More ›
Toxic TVs: Shoppers should consider manufacturers’ recycling records
With the deadline for digital TV conversion nearing, televisions are sure to be at the top on many holiday gift lists. The good news is The Electronics TakeBack Coalition (ETBC) recently released a report card on the TV industry’s recycling programs for discarded televisions. Read More ›
From the New Publishers of the California Progress Report
by Richard Holober, Consumer Federation of California, California Progress Report
The California Progress Report is that site. Its unique value is that it provides an open on-line forum for dozens of advocacy groups that post news and opinion pieces about statewide issues. Read More ›