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 ›
If you liked Citizens United, you’ll love Prop 32
by John Logan, East Bay Express
This year’s most deceptive ballot measure would enhance Big Money’s ability to corrupt California elections. Read More ›
See which Sacramento lobby firms are getting the most money
by Laurel Rosenhall, Sacramento Bee
Filings show the firm earned substantial fees and retainers from … a group that promotes the use of flame retardants, the Altria cigarette company and one that runs several for-profit colleges. 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 ›
Mercury Insurance Billionaire Files Lawsuit to Rewrite Attorney General’s Prop 33 Ballot Summary
by Consumer Watchdog, Targeted News Service
In an attempt to deny voters access to arguments against his self-serving ballot initiative, Mercury Insurance Company billionaire George Joseph and his Prop 33 campaign consultants have filed a lawsuit to hide the cost of Prop 33 from voters. Read More ›
Prop 32: Corporate Billionaires’ Quest to Force Workers to Shut Up
by Bob Balgenorth, State Building and Construction Trades Council, California Progress Report
Apparently we union workers are far too successful at affecting public policy in California. Why else would corporate billionaires be gathering and spending huge campaign war chests, for the third time in 14 years, to pass a law that would force us to shut up? Read More ›
Local auto dealer says pending legislation could increase black market auto sales
by Julio Morales, Imperial Valley Press
The Consumer Federation of California backs the three bills as an appropriate defense against predatory lending, according to its Web site. Read More ›
Sen. Boxer pushes for tougher toxics law
by Carolyn Lockhead, San Francisco Chronicle
Retired fire Capt. Tony Stefani, who contracted a rare form of pelvic cancer, told a Senate committee that there is evidence that flame retardants and other chemicals used in household products expose firefighters to a “toxic soup” after they extinguish fires. 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 ›
Insurance billionaire-sponsored prop 33 will raise premiums on responsible drivers
by Consumer Watchdog, Sacramento Bee
Consumer advocates opposing Prop 33, including Consumer Federation of California and Consumer Watchdog, say it is another trick to raise insurance rates for millions of responsible drivers. Read More ›