State cuts prescription drug monitoring amid spike in pain pill deaths
by Christina Jewett, California Watch
While federal authorities are calling the spike in prescription painkiller deaths an epidemic, California is dismantling a system that the White House identifies as a promising method to tackle the problem. Read More ›
Billionaire Sponsors Zombie Insurance Initiative
by Richard Holober, Executive Director, Consumer Federation of California
But like a zombie that is killed, only to walk the earth again, Mercury Insurance Chairman George Joseph just donated $8.2 million to bring Prop 17 back from the grave for the 2012 ballot. Read More ›
For-profit college firm discloses improper job placement rates
by Erica Perez, California Watch
A for-profit education company with five campuses in California disclosed…(it) was inflating job placement calculations at several of its campuses – just one day after the company announced the CEO’s resignation.
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More consumers leaving big banks for credit unions
by Eve Mitchell, Contra Costa Times
Credit unions and community banks in the Bay Area are seeing a spike in new members, sparked in part by general anger with big banks and in part by their now-abandoned plans to charge for using debit cards.
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Banks keep pulling from bag of tricks
by David Lazarus, Los Angeles Times
The latest is Chase making credit card customers who had previously opted out from receiving offers to do so again under the guise of ‘updating our customers’ preferences.’ Read More ›
Supreme Court to Hear GPS Tracking Case
by Zack Kaldveer, Consumer Federation of California, Privacy Revolt
I think its important to consider this case in the larger context of an increasingly unjust economic system (AND Judicial system) that’s leading people, literally, to the streets in protest. We must…stand firm against the ever encroaching and watchful eye of both government and corporate interests. Read More ›
Editorial: Time to say ‘no’ to payday loan sharks
by Editorial , Sacramento Bee
While Calderon’s concern for people of marginal means is commendable, it can’t be ignored that he, his brother and other lawmakers have raked in campaign contributions from the payday loan industry. Read More ›
California issues draft rules on toxics in food
by Rick Daysog, Sacramento Bee
The new rules create a list of 3,000 toxic chemicals found in consumer items as diverse as personal care products, children’s toys, automobiles and even computers. Read More ›
Mercury News editorial: If state won’t ban predatory payday lending, cities and counties must restrict it
by Editorial, San Jose Mercury News
It’s not surprising that California lawmakers do the bidding of their biggest contributors. But even for them, the latest move to expand predatory payday lending — detailed in Karen de Sa’s front-page story today — is remarkably brazen. Read More ›
PG&E denies using ‘junked’ pipe in natural gas lines
by Steve Johnson, San Jose Mercury News
Documents made public Monday show that PG&E moved salvaged pipe in and around the South Bay and Peninsula over the years, but the company insisted that it didn’t reuse “scrap” or “junk,” as claimed by state regulators. Read More ›
Major PG&E gas line ruptures during hydro test
by Jaxon Van Derbeken, San Francisco Chronicle
A major Pacific Gas and Electric Co. gas transmission line serving the Bay Area ruptured during a pressure test Monday south of Bakersfield, just as the company was planning to boost gas levels on the pipeline to meet winter demand. Read More ›
California leads way in putting Amazon in its place
by Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times
A key mechanism of Amazon’s business model, which was to exploit the price advantage it gained by not collecting sales tax, is beginning to come apart, in no small degree because of California.
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As Occupy Wall Street Protests Grow We Should Revisit the Patriot Act
by Zack Kaldveer, CFC Communications Director, Privacy Revolt
In light of the growing worldwide Occupy Wall Street protests we would do well to revisit how the Patriot Act has been abused by government, not to catch terrorists, but to stifle dissent and consolidate power. Read More ›