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 ›
CFC Supports SB 810 (Leno) – A “Medicare for All” , Single Payer System
AB 810 would guarantee comprehensive health care benefits to every California resident and streamline claims and reimbursements, which will save billions of dollars in health care administrative costs. Read More ›
The Fundraising Legislature
by Daniel Newman, San Francisco Chronicle
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, would prohibit the sale of any private health insurance policy in the state and establish a new California Healthcare System as the primary payer for health care services in California. Read More ›
Oropeza introduces bill that would ban extra debit card fees
by Denise Nix, Daily Breeze
A South Bay lawmaker introduced legislation Tuesday that would stop California retailers from charging customers extra fees for using debit cards. Sen. Jenny Oropeza…said she introduced SB 933 to protect consumers during difficult economic times.
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Soaring cost of healthcare sets a record
by Noam N. Levey, Los Angeles Times
In a stark reminder of growing costs, the government has released a new estimate that healthcare spending grew to a record 17.3% of the U.S. economy last year, marking the largest one-year jump in its share of the economy since the government started keeping such records half a century ago. Read More ›
Single-Payer Plan Is Politics, Not Policy
by John Wildermuth, Fox and Hounds
Progressive Democrats…argue that it’s time someone stood up to the insurance companies and that tough economic times make it even more important to guarantee that every Californian has access to high-quality, affordable health care.
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