Category Archives: Uncategorized
CFC releases 2012 Scorecard for State Legislators
The Consumer Federation of California released its 2012 Scorecard for State Legislators, which rates lawmakers on their votes cast on key consumer rights bills. Read More ›
Toxic flame retardant chemicals: Governor Brown’s fire safety regulation unveiled
Richard Holober: “…We are pleased Gov Brown has taken the important step forward to transform an obsolete regulation which follows the advice of safety experts, not chemical manufacturers.” Read More ›
California proposing new flame retardant regulations
by Jason Dearen, Sacramento Bee
California proposed regulations on Friday that would set new flammability standards and allow furniture and some children’s product manufacturers to stop using chemical flame retardants. Read More ›
Proposed used-car window stickers may not help consumers
by Eric Evarts, Consumer Reports
Window stickers on used cars specify warranty terms and inform consumers of their rights. Those stickers are about to change and consumer advocates say the new ones take a step backward. Read More ›
Ballot Measure Would Control Skyrocketing Health Insurance Rates
The initiative would require health insurance companies to submit proposed rate increases to the Department of Insurance, which could deny or modify an excessive rate hike.
Senate report finds large cost gap between for-profit, public colleges
by Erica Perez , The Bay Citizen
At for-profit schools, bachelor’s degrees cost an average of 20 percent more and associate degrees are four times as much. Read More ›
For-profit colleges slammed in Democratic Senate staff report
by Jamie Goldberg, Washington Bureau, Los Angeles Times
For-profit colleges are failing their students and saddling taxpayers with an enormous bill, a two-year investigation by the Senate education panel’s Democratic staff concluded. Read More ›
Health insurance rebates due next week across California
by Claudia Buck, Sacramento Bee
Consumers across California will be getting rebate checks from their health insurers next week – one of the first tangible results of the federal health care overhaul. About 1.8 million Californians will be getting money back, either directly or through a reduction in their monthly premium. Read More ›
Union political donation ballot measure questioned
by Steven Harmon, San Jose Mercury News
…leaders from Common Cause California and League of Women Voters said that Proposition 32, dubbed “Stop Special Interest Money Now,” is an age-old assault on union power dressed up as campaign finance reform. Read More ›
More Calif. colleges contract with debit card firm criticized for fees
by Erica Perez, California Watch
Nearly half of the state’s community colleges and a handful of other higher education institutions now disburse student financial aid on debit cards through contracts with Higher One, a financial firm that has garnered increasing scrutiny for charging multiple fees, aggressive marketing tactics and privacy concerns. Read More ›
Opponents accuse Proposition 33 backers of breaking campaign law
by Steven Harmon , San Jose Mercury News
Opponents say Proposition 33 would repeal an auto insurance consumer protection law that prevents insurers from surcharging good drivers who did not have insurance at some point in the past. Read More ›
For-profit colleges must meet standards
by Editorial, San Francisco Chronicle
Only about 12 percent of secondary students attend a private, for-profit school, but they represent nearly half of all student loan defaults. When they default on their federal student loan payments, taxpayers get stuck with the bill. Read More ›
Blue Shield plan to close policies to new customers is denied
by Chad Terhune, Los Angeles Times
California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones says the health insurer’s proposal violated state rules designed to protect consumers from large rate increases. Read More ›