Category Archives: CFC in the News
California Assembly Passes Leno’s Airline Passenger Bill of Rights
by Frank Russo, California Progress Report
Leno’s bill, which was supported by consumer groups including the Coalition for an Airline Passenger’s Bill of Rights and the Consumer Federation of California handily flew off of the Assembly floor… Read More ›
California utility customers to fund think tank on climate
by Elizabeth Douglass, Los Angeles Times
While they praised the institute’s mission, the Consumer Federation of California…warned Peevey that it could be illegal to use ratepayer funds to tackle such a broadly defined statewide issue. Read More ›
Increase in car-buying fee has advocates up in arms
by Steven Harmon, STAFF WRITER , Oakland Tribune
By agreeing to carry a bill that would slightly raise a document fee that car buyers pay, Assemblyman Mark DeSaulnier, D-Concord, put himself squarely at odds with consumer groups to which he’s endeared himself in his first year at the Capitol. Read More ›
Karen Bass, to be Elected Speaker of the California Assembly Today
by Frank Russo, California Progress Report
She has solid ratings of 100% from environmental groups such as the California League of Conservation Voters and Sierra Club California. She also has a 100% voting record from the Consumer Federation of California… Read More ›
It’s California’s Turn to Protect the Flying Public by Passing the Airline Passenger Bill of Rights
by Zack Kaldveer, CFC, California Progress Report
With customer service declining and the number of airline passengers rising, more and more passengers are ending up suffering with lengthy flight delays, canceled flights and on occasion finding themselves trapped in airplanes for interminable hours before taking off. Read More ›
Standards proposed for stranded passengers
by Art Marroquin, Daily Breeze
“It’s pretty shocking to see what passengers have been subjected to, whether it’s 12-hour delays with no food or an inability to get off a plane,” said Zack Kaldveer, a spokesman for the Consumer Federation of California. “There is just no good reason that paying customers should be subjected to that kind of treatment,” Kaldveer said. “I think this bill simply reflects what the people are demanding.” Read More ›
California’s Foreclosure Crisis and the State Legislature
by Zack Kaldveer, CFC, California Progress Report
As California’s foreclosure crisis continues unabated and families are being ousted from their homes at an unprecedented pace, the state legislature is finally taking action. Read More ›
Fiona Ma Makes Case for Why She Should be Speaker of the California Assembly
by Frank Russo, California Progress Report
Not only did she get this 100% rating on the environment, but she also has a 100% rating from the Consumer Federation of California, NARAL, the National Organization for Women, and Equality California. Read More ›
LA & Cal Tenants Fight to Save Rent Control
by Joe Catron, City Watch
California landlords have devised an ingenious attack on the state’s local rent-control laws: Disguising a statewide referendum to ban them as a measure to reform eminent domain. Read More ›
Utilities want to cut business rate for funding social programs
by David R. Baker, San Francisco Chronicle
Two consumer advocacy groups – the Consumer Federation of California and The Utility Reform Network – filed a challenge to the proposal Tuesday with the utilities commission. Read More ›
Big Business Discount Could Cost Residential Gas Customers $100 Million
“This attempt by the utilities to help big businesses avoid paying their fair share for a critical program like CARE is unconscionable at a time when energy costs continue to skyrocket,” said Richard Holober, Executive Director of the CFC. Read More ›
The gift-card giveaway
by Mike Antonucci , San Jose Mercury
One business research firm, TowerGroup in Massachusetts, has estimated that $7.8 billion will end up unredeemed for 2007, out of $97 billion in gift card value purchased by consumers…In California, however, a law went into effect Jan. 1 that enables consumers to cash out a store-issued gift card… Read More ›
Victoria’s other secret: new law on gift cards
by Dennis Rockstroh, San Jose Mercury News
On Jan. 1 a new law went into effect that says if the amount left on a gift card is less than $10, the business must give you the cash on demand. I can understand why a company would resist this law. Businesses made a lot of money by not giving us the money when our gift cards reached small amounts (Borders was an exception). Read More ›