Bill to Ban Debit Card Surcharges Awaits Governor’s Decision
by Artem Raskin, California Progress Report
“At a time when California working families already face tough challenges making ends meet, they shouldn’t bear penalties for simply how they choose to pay. Fair is fair, whether it’s by cash, check, credit or debit card.” Read More ›
Tax Fairness Act causing serious debate
by MIKE PERRAULT, Desert Sun
…the CTA submitted more than 800,000 signatures to place the repeal measure on the November ballot. Other supports include the California Nurses Association, Consumer Federation of California, California Tax Reform Association and Congress of California Seniors. Read More ›
CFC Sponsored New Law Curbs Human Trafficking Through Greater Transparency
SB 657 requires major retail sellers and manufacturers to describe on company websites their voluntary efforts to eliminate slavery and trafficking from their own direct suppliers. Read More ›
CFC’s November Ballot Recs: Corporate Interests vs. The Public Good
by Zack Kaldveer, Consumer Federation of California, California Progress Report
Unfortunately for California, June’s election results have not served as the deterrent some may have hoped. November brings a new crop of initiatives bankrolled by some of our nation’s most notorious polluters and corporate bad actors. Read More ›
Special interests capitalize on Legislature’s end-of-session chaos
by Shane Goldmacher and Evan Halper, Los Angeles Times
Consumer activists expressed anger that the amendment was even drafted so late in the session. Richard Holober, executive director of the Consumer Federation of California, said “these kind of last-minute moves are for things that won’t hold up if exposed to sunlight. It is not a good way to govern.” Read More ›
FasTrak Privacy Bill Passes Legislature
by California Political Desk, California Watch
“The state’s interest is in collecting tolls. Period.” Said Richard Holober, executive director of the Consumer Federation of California. “that’s all the data should be used for. I’m pleased to see the Legislature endorse this level of protection.” Read More ›
Big protest planned to remind Meg Whitman of 90th anniversary of women’s right to vote
by Carla Marinucci, San Francisco Chronicle
Joining the CNA will be the California Teachers Association, California Professional Firefighters, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, Consumer Federation of California, California 9-5, National Association of Working Women, California Alliance for Retired Americans, California Labor Federation, Equality California, California School Employees Association, and others. Read More ›
State bill aims to halt sale of booze at self-checkout stands
by Michael Gardner, San Diego Union Tribune
A move to ban alcohol sales at market self-checkout counters in California is being fueled by two San Diego studies that suggest they make it easier for underaged buyers. Legislation to enact such a ban could come up on the state Senate floor as early as Wednesday.
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Closed state parks cost Central Coast jobs
by John Laird, Cal Coast News
People are tired of gridlock and are hungry for solutions that make sense-that don’t make our state budget problems worse, that invest in our future and that build our economy. That’s why I proposed a way to save our state parks and I support Proposition 21. It’s a central dividing issue in this election. Read More ›
Proposition 26: Also known as the ‘Polluter Protection Act’
by Bill Magavern, Sierra Club, Capitol Weekly
The core question raised by Prop 26 is: who pays? Who pays to clean up air pollution, oil spills and toxic waste? Who pays for the health consequences of tobacco and alcohol addiction, of lead poisoning and diesel exhaust? Exxon, Phillip Morris and the other special interests behind Prop 26 want you, the taxpayers, to pay. Read More ›
State investigation fingers vendor for missing San Mateo County voter guides
by Bonnie Eslinger, San Jose Mercury News
The case of San Mateo County’s missing voter guides has been solved — sort of. Some were apparently never sent, according to Secretary of State Debra Bowen, who heads the California agency that oversees elections. Read More ›
I-Team Exposes Expired Baby Food, Formula Sold In Stores
by Channel 10 News San Diego, Channel 10 News San Diego
Last year, a bill that would’ve outlawed selling expired baby food and formula in California passed the state Legislature, but it was vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who argued that current laws were sufficient. Holober said the amount of expired food and formula that the I-Team found for sale shows that the current law is not sufficient. Read More ›
Colleges Weigh In on Rules
by Jennifer Epstein and Doug Lederman, Inside Higher Ed
In their shared comment submission, Consumer Federation of California, the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles and Margaret Reiter…voiced support for the proposed rules but offered up amendments aimed at tightening consumer protections. Read More ›