CFC Applauds Senate Committee Vote
The cellphone industry ranks No. 1 among all industries in consumer complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau, said Richard Holober, executive director of the Consumer Federation of California. Consumers have put up with deceptive contract terms, poor phone reception, excessive early termination fees and inadequate customer service for long enough. Read More ›
Cell Phone Subscriber Protection Bill Approved by Senate Committee
Cell phone users are one step closer to winning critical consumer protections after today Read More ›
Health Insurance Premium Increases Regulation Passes Committee
by Frank D. Russo, California Progress Report
Yesterday evening, the Assembly Health Committee on a 10-5 vote passed AB 1554 by Assemblymember Dave Jones regulating health insurance premiums. Read More ›
SB 831 Fact Sheet: Cell Phone Subscriber Protections
SB 831 would establish a sorely needed minimum standard of consumer protections that every cell phone customer deserves – and every phone company must comply with. Read More ›
Controls urged for medical insurers
by Jordan Rau , Los Angeles Times
Saying the healthcare debate here was not sufficiently focused on curbing insurers’ profits, some lawmakers and consumer groups are backing a new effort to regulate medical insurance rates the same way the state controls auto coverage costs. Read More ›
Reduce Big Business Control of Sacramento
by Richard Holober, Executive Director, Consumer Federation of California
CFC supports public financing of elections to reduce the corrosive influence of big business campaign dollars. Read More ›
Kinder Morgan: CPUC ruling scheduled for May 24
by Nadia Damouni , dealReporter
Alexis Wodtke, a staff attorney at the Consumer Federation of California, pointed out that the only component left of SFPP are the pipes in the ground. My only goal in this is to make sure the commission takes a close look at this transaction to make sure it doesn’t approve something that is going to be harmful to consumers. Read More ›
CFC Endorses Bill to Ban Toxic Fire Retardants
by Zack Kaldveer, Consumer Federation of California
Studies show that exposure to even the lowest concentrations of certain fire retardants can cause reproductive, developmental, neurological or other health problems including cancer, thyroid disruption, hearing deficits, and birth defects. Read More ›
Pitch has a familiar tone to it
by David Lazarus, San Francisco Chronicle
…a few weeks after the settlement was reached, Bank of America credit card customers are receiving with their monthly statements a pitch for Trilegiant’s plan that doesn’t offer a reward or rebate, but instead features a “$10 credit to your account…Richard Holober, executive director of the Consumer Federation of California, said this latest Trilegiant offer is fundamentally no different from the earlier pitches that led state attorneys general to take action. Read More ›
CFC’s Remarks Opposing Toxic Pipe Use
by Zack Kaldveer, Consumer Federation of California
The inadequacy of the EIR is both baffling and frustrating. The Coalition has submitted extensive comments detailing the impacts and evidence that require further evaluation. CFC identified relevant studies and reports that had not been evaluated and additional data or research needed from industry in order to adequately evaluate their product. Read More ›
Plastic piping OK’d for use instead of copper
by SAMANTHA YOUNG, LA Daily News
California home builders on Monday won the right to use less-expensive plastic water piping instead of copper, ending a two-decade-long battle against groups that warned of plastic’s potential health hazards. Read More ›
State panel clears way for use of plastic pipe
by JIM MILLER, Press Enterprise
A state panel voted Monday to allow unrestricted use of plastic water pipes in houses, a potential end to a quarter-century fight over requirements that builders use copper pipe, which acidic Inland soil and water can corrode. Read More ›
State Senate confirms Chong for PUC position
by Janis Mara, ANG Newspapers
The Consumer Federation of California, which had vigorously opposed Chong’s confirmation, extended an olive branch after the confirmation. “The CFC hopes to set aside differences with…Chong.”…the group said it hoped the commissioner “will become more attuned to the need for protections” for consumers. Read More ›