AutoNation, a retailer worth billions, says it received nearly $80 million in SBA funds
Employees speak out, saying the company took ‘an obscene amount,’ and the board votes to return funds to the government. See the full article from the Washington Post.
Nurses are protesting working conditions under coronavirus — and say hospitals aren’t protecting them
“We know that the CDC policy is built on shortage. It’s not built on proven evidence,” one expert said. Full article click here
CFC Urges Regulation of For-Profit Colleges
Private For-profit colleges charge a fortune for low quality education that too often leaves students and graduates deeply in debt and lacking the skills needed to get living wage jobs. State oversight has been lax. CFC and student advocates are calling on lawmakers to put some teeth … Read More ›
Protect Nursing Home Patients
CFC and a coalition of advocates for nursing home patients are urging lawmakers to reform the state’s system of oversight and payment for skilled nursing homes. COVID-19 has added urgency to the call to strengthen patient protection and oversight of this industry. Read the coalition letter
The corrupt tax provision in the CARES Act: Rep. Doggett & Sen. Whitehouse
In a bill meant to provide relief to millions of Americans in need, those making millions were the ones who really benefited. To read the USA Today full article, click here
As economy struggles amid coronavirus, low-wage workers of color taking a major hit
NBC news article People of color make up a disproportionate share of workers in the industries where layoffs are the most intense and only expected to get worse.
Auto Insurers Are Making Windfall Profits from COVID-19; Consumer Advocates Call on Companies to Provide Refunds, Lower Premiums to Californians Who Have Stopped Driving
California Insurance Commissioner Petitioned to Take Action Sacramento – Automobile insurance companies are making windfall profits from Californians idled by the Coronavirus Stay at Home Orders and should refund or credit premiums to motorists, consumer advocates said today in a petition filed with the California Insurance Commissioner. … Read More ›
Insurers attack fair automobile rate regulations
Insurers create phony “groups” to favor wealthy motorists with lower rates. Consumer, senior, civil rights and community advocates are supporting a proposed California Department of Insurance regulation that would curb an industry abuse of automobile insurance rate fairness. The coalition sent a letter to the Assembly Insurance … Read More ›
Wells Fargo reaches $3 billion settlement with DOJ, SEC over fake-accounts scandal
Feb. 21, 2020 – Renae Merle, Washington Post – Wells Fargo agreed Friday to pay $3 billion to settle potential federal criminal and civil charges that, for more than a decade, the bank’s aggressive sales goals led to widespread consumer abuses, including millions of accounts opened without … Read More ›
State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson pushes to end “pink tax”
Feb. 18, 2020 – Lindsay Zuchelli, KEYT ABC Channel 3 – State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson is pushing to end the so-called “Pink Tax.” The senator, whose district covers Santa Barbara County and part of Ventura County, held a news conference Tuesday in Sacramento alongside Congresswoman Jackie Speier, … Read More ›
End the Pink Tax
SB 873 (Jackson) would make it unlawful to charge more for products marketed to women and girls. The Consumer Federation of California is co-sponsoring legislation that would ban the practice of charging more for products that are marketed to women and girls than is charged for substantially … Read More ›
Who’s looking at your DNA data? California lawmaker introduces genetic privacy bill
Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee – Feb. 14, 2020. A proposed California law would prohibit DNA testing companies like Ancestry and 23andMe from sharing customer DNA information with outside parties without their consent. https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article240227106.html
U.S. charges 4 members of Chinese military in Equifax breach
Feb. 10, 2020 – Associated Press Four members of the Chinese military have been charged with breaking into the networks of the Equifax credit reporting firm and stealing the personal information of tens of millions of Americans, the Justice Department said Monday, blaming Beijing for one of … Read More ›