LA’s $750 Million Time Bomb
by City Watch, Jack Humphreville
On Monday, the California State Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision, ruled that a class action lawsuit challenging the validity of the City’s Telephone Users’ Tax (“TUT”) could proceed, overruling previous lower court decisions.
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California Legislation Would Rein In Insurance Industry Price Gouging
Excessive health insurance rate increases have placed health care coverage out of the reach of 8.2 million Californians ‘ with millions more barely making ends meet due to industry profiteering. Read More ›
The Patriot Act and the Quiet Death of the US Bill of Rights
by Zack Kaldveer, Consumer Federation of California, California Progress Report
With the stroke of an autopen from the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, the once articulate critic of the Patriot Act signed a four year extension of the most dangerous assault on American civil liberties in US history without a single additional privacy protection. Read More ›
NY Court Orders Youtube User Records Released
by Kelly O'Connell, Internet Business Law Services
Google informed its users of their position and privacy policy. This was motivated…by a…letter sent by a group of privacy advocates, including…Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, Consumer Federation of California, the World Privacy Forum, Consumer Action, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and ACLU of Northern California. Read More ›
PD Editorial: Taking a bite out of lawmaker paychecks
by Editorial, Press Democrat
When California voters erased the two-thirds majority rule for passing a state budget, they added teeth to the June 15 deadline for legislative approval. No budget, no pay.
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CFC supports SB 558 – Elder Abuse and Neglect
The Consumer Federation of California supports SB 558 (Simititan) because it would allow elder abuse to be enforced using a preponderance of the evidence standard. Read More ›
CFC Supports AB 1124 – Low Income Energy Efficiency Program
AB 1124 would state the intent of the legislature to allow the use of ratepayer energy efficiency funds for improvements to heating and water systems in multifamily rental apartment buildings. Read More ›
CFC Supports SB SB 761 (Lowenthal) – “Do Not Track Me”
SB 761 would offer consumers a “Do Not Track Me” mechanism, one of the most powerful tools available to protect consumers’ privacy on the web. The mechanism will allow anyone online to send Websites the message that they do not want their online activity monitored. Read More ›
EDITORIAL: For-profit colleges use their sway against bill
by The Editorial Board, Fresno Bee
The legislation is backed by the Consumers Union, Consumer Federation of California, and Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles. The for-profit college industry mounted a lobby effort to kill the bill.
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CFC Opposes Proposal to Eliminate the Office of Privacy Protection
California’s modest investment in privacy protection produces a much bigger positive contribution to our state’s bottom line. The improvements to the state’s balance sheet include assistance to law enforcement agencies in combating and enforcing against identity theft. Read More ›
CFC Supports SB 881 (Corbett) – Renewable Energy Project Planning
SB 881 (Corbett) requires the Office and Planning and Research to compile information relevant to the siting and permitting of renewable energy projects and to post that information on the internet.
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Butler’s Bill Targeting Elderly Abuse Passes Assembly
by Paul Chavez , Manhattan Beach Patch
A state Assembly bill sponsored by Assemblywoman Betsy Butler (D-Marina del Rey) that would increase the fines for financial crimes committed against elderly and dependent adults was unanimously passed Thursday and will head to the state Senate for consideration. Read More ›
CFC Supports AB 999 (Yamada) – Long Term Car Insurance Rates
AB 999 (Yamada) modifies the long-term care insurance premium rate development process to protect consumers from excessive premium rate volatility and allows consumers to review policy language prior to the policy being purchased, thus allowing the consumer to make a more informed decision. Read More ›