VICTORY: Election day successful for California consumers!

Each one of Consumer Federation of California’s ballot measure recommendations won on election night. The winners are California consumers! Yes on Prop 30: Restores Education Funding Governor Jerry Brown declared victory after his tax initiative seized a narrow lead Tuesday night, calling Proposition 30 a “unifying force” … Read More ›

Big win for schools as Prop 30 defies polls

by Kathryn Baron and John Fensterwald, EdSource

California schools’ rendezvous with rock bottom is over. A massive grassroots campaign, an eleventh hour surge in advertising and strategic targeting of likely voters pulled Proposition 30 over the halfway mark yesterday, giving both Gov. Jerry Brown and California public schools and community colleges a victory. Read More ›

Prop 33 hurts consumers – 40 newspaper editorials say vote NO

by Richard Holober, Consumer Federation of California, Sacramento Bee

Forty newspaper editorial boards … decry Prop 33 as an abuse of the ballot by a billionaire to benefit his company at the expense of millions of consumers. They warn that Prop 33’s premium rate increases would make insurance less affordable, resulting in more uninsured motorists on our roads. Read More ›

College students speak out: No on Prop 33

by Richard Holober, Consumer Federation of California, Herald Online

Leading college student newspaper editorials urge a NO vote on Proposition 33, a measure that threatens graduates with massive auto insurance rate surcharges. Read More ›

Prop 33 billionaire admits his company doesn’t give promised discounts

by Richard Holober, California Progress Report

In a stunning admission, billionaire George Joseph stated that his company, Mercury Insurance, does not offer its own customers the “persistence discount” that Proposition 33 promises all Californians would receive by “shopping their discount” around if the initiative is approved. Read More ›

Consumer groups: Proposition 33 is a lemon

by Richard Holober, San Francisco Business Times

Seven independent consumer organizations oppose Proposition 33, which legalizes arbitrary insurance surcharges on millions of motorists.

Proposition 33 allows premium rate hikes on anyone who suspends coverage for 90 days within five years and on newly insured customers, including good drivers. Mercury Insurance’s billionaire owner George Joseph contributed $16.4 million to Prop 33. He recently acknowledged that his goal is to give Mercury a license to charge customers more. Read More ›

Top 10 reasons California newspapers say we should vote No on Prop 33

by Carmen Balber, Consumer Watchdog

Consumer and public interest groups are being outspent 50 to 1 by an insurance billionaire who has thrown $16 million into Prop 33 in order to cherry pick customers and raise rates on good drivers in California… Read More ›

Prop. 32’s real purpose is to cripple labor unions politically

by George Skelton, The Los Angeles Times

Backers say Prop. 32 would stop special-interest money from influencing politicians, but the measure actually would tilt the playing field unfairly to the right. Read More ›

California Progress Report: Progressive Voter Guide for November 2012 Ballot Propositions

The voter guide lists the recommendations of several leading statewide progressive organizations, along with a quick summary of each proposition. Read More ›

Prop. 33 is an old jalopy with a new coat of paint

by Editorial Board, Sacramento Bee

California voters have a question to answer when deciding Proposition 33, a self-interested initiative funded by billionaire George Joseph, founder of Mercury General Corp. Should Mercury and other auto insurance companies be allowed to charge higher rates for people who are new to auto insurance, or are re-entering the auto insurance market after having dropped coverage? Read More ›

Consumer Reports again reminds car owners to avoid aftermarket parts

Tests have found that some non-OEM parts fit poorly, are more prone to rust and corrosion, and might not meet federal safety standards. Read More ›

Makers of flame retardants cut ties with industry front group

by Michael Hawthorne and Sam Roe, Chicago Tribune

Major manufacturers of flame retardants officially cut ties with an industry-funded front group that waged a deceptive campaign to fuel demand for the chemicals in household furniture, electronics, baby products and other goods. Read More ›

Secret deal could cheapen auto repairs

by Mike Finney, KGO - ABC News 7

Jones and the Consumer Federation of California claim insurance companies are working behind the scenes at the capitol to weaken consumer protection laws at the last minute of the legislative session. Read More ›

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