Bill would require more online retailers to collect sales tax
by Kevin Smith, Los Angeles Daily News
California consumers soon could be paying more for the products they buy online if a proposed federal law is approved. Read More ›
Who has access to your medical records? (Video)
The days of doctor/patient privacy are dwindling as more agencies and companies wield technology to peer into your medical records. Read More ›
California health exchange reveals premium costs
by Jim Sanders , Sacramento Bee
Californians have now received the bottom line on which insurance firms will sell policies on the state’s new health-care exchange this fall and how much those premiums will cost. Read More ›
California bill would prevent genetic-testing firms from using surreptitiously obtained DNA
by Jessica Shugart, San Jose Mercury News
Under California law, genetic snooping is perfectly legal. Now, legislators are considering a bill that would require a donor’s consent to collect, analyze or share genetic information. Read More ›
Costly tax loophole remains open
by Darwin Bond Graham, East Bay Express
A reform measure that would end a lucrative tax break for corporations and wealthy investors has stalled in the state legislature. Read More ›
California farmer warns: “Don’t trust oil industry, state or courts” to protect water
by Dan Aiello, California Progress Report
While there have been many cases where groundwater contamination has occurred with both oil production and fracking methods, oil producers’ settlements have included gag orders silencing whistleblowers who might warn the public of fracking dangers. Read More ›
Apple avoided billions in U.S. taxes on foreign income
by Jim Puzzanghera and Chris O'Brien, Los Angeles Times
Apple has used an elaborate web of offshore subsidiaries to avoid paying billions of dollars in U.S. taxes on $44 billion in foreign income over the past four years, a Senate investigation has found. Read More ›
California oil tax push would direct new funds to schools
by Jeremy B. White, Sacramento Bee
Just months after California voters passed Proposition 30 to stave off education cuts, a push is under way to ensure that the next stream of higher education funding flows out of the ground. Read More ›
Time to raise the minimum wage?
by Muhammed El-Hasan, San Gabriel Valley Tribune
The bill would increase the minimum wage 25 cents next year, another 50 cents in 2015 and then to $9.25 in 2016. Thereafter, it would be adjusted annually to the rate of inflation. Read More ›
College graduation fees leave California graduates grumbling
by Katy Murphy, Oakland Tribune
After scrimping and borrowing to pay for college, graduates are finally preparing to celebrate. But at many public universities, you don’t just pay to get in. You pay to get out. Read More ›
Google’s new privacy policy display violates California privacy protection law
by John Simpson, Consumer Watchdog
A recent change in the way Google presents its privacy policy violates the California Online Privacy Protection Act and is fundamentally deceptive, Consumer Watchdog told AG Kamala Harris. Read More ›
California’s health exchange to serve as voter registration hub
by Jim Sanders, Sacramento Bee
Millions of Californians who contact the state’s new health exchange to buy insurance will be given the opportunity to register to vote, too. Read More ›
AB 995 attacks vital consumer utility protection program (2-yr bill)
AB 995 is a direct attack on consumer organizations and ratepayers. This bill only benefits the giant utilities by freezing out consumer, environmental, safety, health, and the disadvantaged communities that deserve effective representation before the CPUC. Read More ›