Nations agree to phase out toxic flame retardant chemical
More than 150 countries have agreed to phase out the use of the toxic flame retardant chemical HBCD and restrict trade in four other dangerous substances. Read More ›
Brown budget sends extra $2.9 billion to education
by Juliet Williams, San Jose Mercury News
Gov. Brown proposed a revised budget that would send an extra $2.9 billion to schools this year, including $1 billion in funding to help districts implement more rigorous academic standards. Read More ›
New Medicare program penalizes hospitals with high re-admit rates
by Deborah Schoch, KPBS.org
A new Medicare program that punishes hospitals with high patient readmissions is forcing administrators to improve how patients are cared for even after they are wheeled out the hospital doors. Read More ›
Statewide tour to close the “Walmart Loophole” kicks off in West Sacramento
by Steve Smith, California Progress Report
Walmart shoppers probably didn’t expect to be greeted by taxpayers protesting the Walmart Loophole, which allows large companies like Walmart to avoid their responsibilities to pay their fair share for their workers’ health care. Read More ›
California accuses JPMorgan Chase of debt-collection abuses
by Andrew Tangel, Los Angeles Times
California AG Kamala Harris has accused JPMorgan Chase & Co. of using fraudulent and unlawful debt-collection practices against some 100,000 credit card holders in the state. Read More ›
California bill to limit data collected by retailers selling downloads
by Timm Herdt , Huffington Post
Online merchants are now free to use information to build customer profiles for marketing or for sale to third parties who may use this information for any purpose. Read More ›
Court refuses Mercury’s request to delay rate decrease required by insurance commissioner
by Douglas Heller & Carmen Balber, Consumer Watchdog
Mercury has sued to block a $16.5-million rate cut, asked court to delay implementation. Read More ›
Brown seeks to rewrite toxins law
by Marc Lifsher, Los Angeles Times
He says unscrupulous lawyers are misusing the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, or Proposition 65, by seeking monetary gain from lawsuits. Read More ›
Record $2.25-billion fine recommended in San Bruno explosion
by Kate Mather, Los Angeles Times
A division of the CPUC recommended that the agency levy a $2.25-billion penalty against PG&E for the deadly 2010 explosion in San Bruno. Read More ›
SB 661 would weaken California’s Made in USA label (2-year bill)
CFC opposed the bill, which would undercut businesses that are committed to American manufacturing and mislead consumers who care about truthful labels. It has become a 2-year bill. Read More ›
Legislation seeks to tweak standards for ‘Made in USA’
by Sally Schilling, San Mateo Daily Journal
We do not support changing the current standard. If something is 90 percent made in the U.S., it should say 90 percent made in the U.S., said Richard Holober, CFC executive director. Read More ›
Prop. 13 loophole gives edge to big players
by Jason Felch and Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times
Change of ownership, key to reassessment, is cut-and-dried for homeowners but not businesses. It means a loss of tens of millions of dollars a year in tax revenue.
Read More ›
California tax revenue yields multibillion-dollar surplus
by Chris Megerian, Los Angeles Times
State coffers contain about $4.5 billion more than expected in personal income tax payments. Business taxes have also rebounded, signaling an economic recovery. Read More ›