CFC: Did chemical lobbyists violate the law?
by Richard Holober, Market Watch
The Consumer Federation of California is calling on regulators to investigate a chemical industry front group for possible violations of California law when it paid an expert witness who provided false testimony to legislators. Read More ›
Blue Shield sued over insurance policy shifts
by Victoria Colliver, San Francisco Chronicle
When Blue Shield of California raised the rates for Robert Jeffrey Martin’s family insurance policy by 23 percent, the health insurer offered him two options: Stay in his expensive old plan or switch to a policy that offered his family skimpier benefits with a higher deductible. Read More ›
Prepaid utility programs put consumers at risk, report finds
by Kendall Taggart, California Watch
Prepayment programs allow companies to sidestep critical consumer protections that have evolved over decades, according to the report by the National Consumer Law Center. Read More ›
Giant SDG&E line sparks rural activism
by Steve Schmidt, San Diego Union Tribune
The armada of earthmovers and steamrollers is clearing out, and the little town that was turned upside down is finally catching a break. Alpine is looking more like its rural-flavored self again now that San Diego Gas & Electric has completed the construction of its Sunrise Powerlink transmission line through the heart of the East County community. Read More ›
Take Toxics Out of Our Furniture
Californians are exposed to dangerous levels of toxic chemicals in our homes, thanks to a 37-year-old state furniture regulation. While the regulation never served its intended goal of reducing fires in our homes, its legacy of toxic harm lives on. Read More ›
AB 2296 Provides Protection for Students At For-Profit Postsecondary Schools
The Consumer Federation of California is calling on state lawmakers to crack down on for-profit, private colleges that hoodwink students into programs that promise career advancement, yet deliver worthless diplomas and pile on debt that can lead to financial ruin. Read More ›
Higher tobacco tax? It’s still a no-brainer
by George Skelton, Los Angeles Times
Even if Proposition 29 fails, the Legislature should seize the opportunity to raise desperately needed revenue and save crucial programs. Read More ›
Call Kurtis: What you’re owed when service goes out
by Kurtis Ming, CBS 13 Sacramento
When services go out, whether a landline, cell phone or TV service, what do companies owe customers? Richard Holober of the Consumer Federation of California said people deserve to get a refund and should demand their bills be reduced. Read More ›
More than 75 vocational schools under investigation
by Jennifer Golan, The Bay Citizen
State regulators intend to mete out swifter penalties and tighten oversight of dozens of private vocational schools that have been operating without state approval, in some cases for months. Read More ›
Call Kurtis: The truth about auto-renew
by Kurtis Ming, CBS 13 KOVR
Richard Holober of the Consumer Federation of California commented on DirecTV and their auto-renew policies. “It’s a very sleazy way that products are sold…If they get one extra year out of you that you didn’t plan to pay for, they’ve made a lot of money off that.” Read More ›
Tobacco cash wafts widely, is hard to track
by Dan Morain, Sacramento Bee
Philip Morris has given $31.3 million of the $44 million raised by the tobacco industry to defeat Proposition 29…At least 20 of the 40 sitting state senators, including 14 Republicans and six Democrats, have taken tobacco donations over the years. In the Assembly, 36 of 80 members, including 25 Republicans and 11 Democrats, have accepted tobacco money. Read More ›
Advocates continue battle against flame-retardant chemicals
by Christina Jewett, California Watch
After years of failed attempts to regulate flame-retardant chemicals linked to mounting evidence of harm, state legislators and consumer advocates are gearing up to take another look at the risks and benefits.
Read More ›
Insurers forcing patients to pay more for costly specialty drugs
by Chad Terhune, Los Angeles Times
Health insurers are increasingly shifting more prescriptions for complex conditions to a new category requiring customers to shoulder a larger share of the medication’s cost. Read More ›