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.
Read More ›
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 ›
Anthem pulls switch on Medicare Advantage subscribers
by David Lazarus, Los Angeles Times
A pair of letters to the health insurer’s California customers sparks confusion. Anthem, it turns out, is replacing its California Medicare Advantage plan with 13 regional variations that allow it to set premiums and benefits according to local conditions. Read More ›
A Near Privacy Sweep in California
by Zack Kaldveer, CFC Communications Director, Privacy Revolt
It was a near legislative sweep for privacy advocates this year as Governor Brown signed all but one of the key privacy bills that reached his desk. Read More ›
California Diminished by Tax Revolt of 1978 Shows How U.S. Invites Decline
by Christopher Palmeri , Bloomberg
California voters approved Proposition 13 to rein in property taxes that had doubled in 10 years. More than three decades later, that rebellion has mortgaged the state’s future, saddling it with the nation’s highest debt and lowest credit rating. Read More ›
Consumers Get a Breath of Fresh Air from Jerry Brown
by Richard Holober, CFC Executive Director, California Progress Report
On issues ranging from household toxics to food safety to elder abuse to personal privacy, Governor Jerry Brown has demonstrated much greater empathy with consumer protection than his predecessor. Read More ›
Expired Baby Food, Formula Bill Signed Into Law
by I-10 News Team, Channel 10 News San Diego
Pan authored AB 688 with the support of the Consumer Federation of California. The bill stated that any store selling expired baby food, formula or over-the-counter medication would be fined up to $10 a day for each item sold.
Gov. Brown Signs Consumer Federation-Sponsored AB 688 (Pan)
“We applaud Governor Jerry Brown for signing an important food and drug safety bill, AB 688, by Assemblyman Richard Pan. This common sense law will protect the most vulnerable Californians – the very young and the ill,” stated Richard Holober, Executive Director of the Consumer Federation of California, sponsor of AB 688.
Governor signs Bill to ban Self-Serve Alcohol Sales in California
California Governor Jerry Brown finally signed a bill to ban alcohol sales through self-serve checkout machines in California. Read More ›
Under age alcohol purchases made more difficult
by Gar Swaffar , Digital Journal
This bill had extensive support from disparate groups throughout the state, including MADD, Consumer Federation of California, California Police Chiefs, Alcohol Justice, California’s Police Officers (PORAC), California Professional Firefighters, California Council on Alcohol Problems, California Narcotic Officers Association and many of the states religious leaders.