Silicon Valley companies quietly try to kill Internet privacy bill
by Steven Harmon, San Jose Mercury News
Silicon Valley tech, banks and other powerful industries are mounting a quiet but forceful campaign to kill an Internet privacy bill that would give consumers the right to know how their personal information is being used. Read More ›
Auditor: CA special license plate money not collected, misspent
by Torey Van Oot, Sacramento Bee
California’s state auditor found shortcomings in management and oversight of special license plate programs meant to provide funding for causes like Lake Tahoe, anti-terrorism efforts and state parks. Read More ›
Payday lenders win again in the state Legislature – no new industry curbs on horizon
by Karen de Sa, San Jose Mercury News
Although short-term loans with triple-digit annual interest rates have been deemed predatory and barred in 17 other states, attempts to regulate payday lending in California have not made it very far. Read More ›
Lawmakers demand PUC leadership change
by Wyatt Buchanan , San Francisco Chronicle
Lawmakers grilled the executive director of the CPUC, saying they see no progress on safety issues since the deadly San Bruno blast, and called for a change in leadership at the agency. Read More ›
PUC report blasts agency’s ‘anti-safety attitude’
by Torey Van Oot, Sacramento Bee
State lawmakers are poised to blast the CPUC after a scathing report that questions the agency’s commitment to safety. Read More ›
2013 HIPAA Omnibus Rule
In early 2013, the HHS added new scope to HIPAA, which provides individuals new rights to their health information, and strengthens the government’s ability to enforce the law. The changes provide consumers with increased protection and control of personal health information. The 2013 HIPAA Omnibus Rule expands … Read More ›
Concerns with HIPAA
There are concerns that consent is not required for a long list of legal and administrative purposes that include law enforcement and public health. That means that if you have been a victim of a HIPAA violation, you have no legal recourse. Instead, only the HHS and … Read More ›
Who Must Comply with the HIPAA Privacy Rule?
The HIPAA Privacy Rule pertains to health care providers, health plans, and health care clearinghouses and to the business associates of these entities. Health care providers – As long as they transmit information electronically, “health care provider” includes close to all entities in the business of doctors, … Read More ›
Last-minute tax tips for procrastinators and tax day freebies
by Christina Salvo, KABC-TV
Procrastinators who have yet to file their taxes have until midnight. Some retailers are offering freebies Monday to help relieve your tax-day woes. Read More ›
Why labels on genetically engineered foods won’t cost consumers a dime
by Zack Kaldveer and Ronnie Cummins, California Progress Report
One simple label to identify GMO foods (often using the genes of foreign bacteria and viruses) would lead more consumers to seek out non-GMO alternatives. That is why Monsanto is fighting labeling. Read More ›
Legislators threaten to kill state medical board
by Lisa Girion and Scott Glover, Los Angeles Times
Lawmakers warn that they will let the agency expire next year if it doesn’t become more aggressive in taking action against dangerous doctors. Read More ›
The 5 biggest online privacy threats of 2013
by Melissa Riofrio, PC World
Your online life may not seem worth tracking, but the data you generate is a rich trove of information that says more about you than you realize. Read More ›
Saturday mail delivery elimination plan delayed by postal service
by Pauline Jelinek, Huffington Post
The beleaguered U.S. Postal Service backed down from its cost-saving plan to eliminate Saturday mail delivery, acknowledging that Congress barred a move that supporters said was essential to addressing the agency’s dire financial condition. Read More ›