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 ›

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 ›

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 ›

“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 ›

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 ›

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 ›

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 ›

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 ›

“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 ›

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 ›

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 ›

If you received a gift card this holiday season, you might want to send a thank-you note to state Sen. Ellen Corbett, D-San Leandro…Under Corbett’s legislation, consumers will have a right to cash in any unused or partially used gift cards when their value dips below $10. Read More ›

Richard Holober, Executive Director of the Consumer Federation of California, which is based in San Mateo, said, ‘Consumers should be aware that any dormant gift cards they have worth less than $10 can be redeemed for cash starting Tuesday.’ Read More ›