Toyota sticks to closure of California plant despite union’s visit
by MAKIKO KITAMURA , Business Day
The decision may hurt Toyota’s image, already battered by a global recall of more than 8-million cars…At least 25% of new cars bought in California are made by Toyota, Consumer Federation of California executive Richard Holober said. Read More ›
Nurses, Fair Elections Advocates to Deliver ‘Prop. 15 Disinfectant Cleanser’ to CA’s Shadow Government: Lobbyists
“The corrosive influence of corporate money in the state capitol undermines every piece of legislation consumers care about…” said Zack Kaldveer, spokesperson for the Consumer Federation of California. Read More ›
Vote Yes on Proposition 15 ‘ The California Fair Elections Act – DEFEATED by a vote of 57.5% no to 42.5% yes
The California Fair Elections Act is based on the simple notion that elected officials should be accountable to the voters, not donors and special interests. That’s why the Consumer Federation of California fought to get Proposition 15 on the ballot, and that’s why we will fight to ensure it wins approval this June. Read More ›
CFC Urges No on Proposition 16 – PG&E’s Anti-Democratic Power Grab – DEFEATED: 52.5% no to 47.5% yes!!!
Pacific Gas & Electric’s (PG&E) recently qualified ballot initiative ‘ Proposition 16 – would lock-in high electricity rates by killing competition from outside energy providers and the public itself. Read More ›
Vote No on Proposition 17 ‘ The Mercury Insurance Rate Hike Initiative – DEFEATED by 52.1% no to 47.9% yes vote!!
Prop 17 is sponsored by Mercury Insurance, one of our state’s biggest auto insurance companies. If passed, it will roll back Prop 103 insurance regulations that protect motorists from unfair rate hikes. Read More ›
CFC Supports AB 2654 (Hill) – Fraudulent Solicitations
This bill protects consumers from deceptive solicitations from non-governmental agencies posing as government fee notification letters…critical during the current economic climate when consumers need as much information as possible to make informed financial decisions.
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CFC Supports AB 2486 (Feuer) – Social Host Liability – Passes Ass. Judiciary
AB 2486 only applies to social hosts who consciously provide alcohol to minors. Hence, while AB 2486 eliminates the immunity currently afforded to social hosts, the family of the injured or killed would still need to prove that negligence occurred. Read More ›
Beware of the credit card traps
by Editorial, San Francisco Chronicle
…a restraint on credit-card excesses is not only good for consumers, it is healthy for the industry as well. Last year, U.S. banks had to write off about $35 billion in credit card debt. But with the end of the era of easy indebtedness comes a need for consumers to look even closer at the detailed cost of their credit cards. Read More ›
Blue ribbon panel meets over NUMMI closure
by David Louie , ABC Channel 7
Richard Holober, executive director of the Consumer Federation of California, thinks Toyota can do something positive.”One way it can repair its relationship with consumers would be to say, ‘We’re going to keep the good, successful, high-quality plant open,’ and I think then consumers will feel a little bit better.”
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CFC’s Richard Holober Named to Toyota/NUMMI Blue Ribbon Commission
California Treasurer Bill Lockyer has named Richard Holober, Consumer Federation of California Executive Director, to serve on a Blue Ribbon Commission to study the impact of the planned closing of the Fremont NUMMI plant on the state’s economy. Read More ›
DHA in Infant Formula: Is it Safe?
by Jennifer Lance, Eco Child's Play
Consumer Federation of California explains: If you believed a certain baby formula would make your child smarter, would you buy it? Infant formula manufacturers are banking that you would. Read More ›
Lockyer names NUMMI commission
by David Goll, San Jose Business Journal
The group, appointed by State Treasurer Bill Lockyer, will also look into options for keeping the New United Motor Manufacturing plant open past its planned March 31 closure date. Read More ›
Public power backers cry foul over utility effort
by Jason Dearen, Associated Press, San Francisco Chronicle
Pacific Gas & Electric Co. is funding a June ballot initiative that would amend California’s constitution to make it much harder for cities and counties to offer residents another choice for buying their power. Read More ›