Mercury Insurance Chairman George Joseph has given more than $8 million to fund his 2012 ballot initiative attack on long-standing consumer protections. The insurance executive and “Forbes 400” billionaire also made the largest single contribution to the California Republican Party in 2011… Read More ›

The Consumer Federation of California named Senator Pavley as its “Senator of the Year” for her tireless work to ban toxins such as lead, cadmium and BPA from children’s products; passing legislation to protect consumers from mortgage fraud; and efforts to crack down on elder abuse. Read More ›

The labels are “beneficial to consumers who care where their products are made to have truthful information when determining what to buy,” Richard Holober, executive director of the Consumer Federation of California…The federal law is weaker so we are better off not changing a good standard.’ Read More ›

SB 810 would eliminate private health insurance entirely. All Californians’ healthcare costs would be paid for from one big pool. It’s just like the way people get insurance coverage now, except much much simpler, everyone would be covered, and the profit motive would be removed. Read More ›

The scorecard highlighted a deep ideological split between the two parties when it comes to consumer rights protections. Assembly Democrats had an average score of 93 percent (a six point increase from last year), with Senate Democrats averaging 83 percent (a 3 point drop from last year). Read More ›

“As we have seen in the past, just having coverage does not demonstrate driving performance,” Holober said. “This measure would have a similar effect to how pre-existing conditions affect people who purchase health insurance.” Read More ›

Consumer Federation of California says the initiative isn’t good for people who have been uninsured for a time, even if because they gave up their car. The cost of getting reinsured will jump. Coverage doesn’t determine whether you’re a good driver. Read More ›

Supporters, such as the Consumer Federation of California, say the proposal will reduce health care costs for families. Read More ›

“When was the last time a billionaire insurance magnate spent a fortune to save you money? Never.” stated Richard Holober, Executive Director of the Consumer Federation of California. “This proposition is nothing more that an insurance tycoon’s self-enrichment scheme.” Read More ›

“This is not about discounts, this is about surcharge,” said Richard Holober from the Consumer Federation of California…”Simply the fact that you had a break in coverage in the last couple of years will be held against you and you will face massive surcharges of 40, 50 percent or more,” said Holober. Read More ›

The law was sponsored by California State Senator Darrell Steinberg and co-sponsored by the Coalition to Abolish Slavery (CAST), the Consumer Federation of California, the Alliance to Stop Slavery and End Trafficking (ASSET). Read More ›

“It’s time for California to eliminate a misguided regulation that loads our furniture with toxic chemicals, and that provides no safety benefit to consumers,” said Richard Holober, Executive Director of the Consumer Federation of California. Read More ›

“Governor Brown’s signature on these measures is a demonstration of his appreciation for common sense consumer legislation. It’s a welcome change,” said Richard Holober, Executive Director of the Consumer Federation of California. Read More ›