CFC's Richard Holober talks with Michael Finney about the chemical flame retardant deception and the Chicago Tribune's recent investigative bombshell.

"SB 1161 is a stealth vehicle for the gradual deregulation of telecommunications in California," the Consumer Federation of California declared on their website. "Consumers need the CPUC to have the power to investigate complaints of bad service or unfair charges on bills, regardless of the technology used to provide phone service."

"An obsolete CA. regulation...de facto forces companies to use toxic chemicals in their products..." comments Richard Holober of Consumer Federation of California.

...Fletcher has racked up a predictably Republican voting record, scoring low ratings in recent years from the Sierra Club Foundation (30%)...the Consumer Federation of California (18%), and Planned Parenthood (0%).

SB 1208 is supported by Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment; Consumer Federation of California; California Labor Federation; California Nurses Association; California Professional Firefighters; and California School Employees Association.

"SB 990 would undermine consumer protection in order to enhance the profits of a single out-of-state company," said Richard Holober, Executive Director of the Consumer Federation of California. "Carfax would undoubtedly benefit from this legislation, but it would be categorically unsafe for consumers."

Mercury Insurance Chairman George Joseph has given more than $8 million to fund his 2012 ballot initiative attack on long-standing consumer protections. The insurance executive and "Forbes 400" billionaire also made the largest single contribution to the California Republican Party in 2011...

Consumer Watchdog is a courageous and remarkably successful advocate for consumer rights. An attack dog website was launched today that serves as a preview of the campaign against Consumer Watchdog we anticipate from George Joseph, the billionaire chairman of Mercury Insurance.

The scorecard highlighted a deep ideological split between the two parties when it comes to consumer rights protections. Assembly Democrats had an average score of 93 percent (a six point increase from last year), with Senate Democrats averaging 83 percent (a 3 point drop from last year).

"When was the last time a billionaire insurance magnate spent a fortune to save you money? Never." stated Richard Holober, Executive Director of the Consumer Federation of California. "This proposition is nothing more that an insurance tycoon’s self-enrichment scheme."

State regulators should have the power to veto health insurance industry attempts to unjustifiably gouge consumers. The California State legislature should immediately support this effort to rein in rising premiums costs – a step already taken by 36 states.

We hope this scorecard can help Californians evaluate whether their lawmakers voted on behalf of their interests when it comes to issues that affect their pocketbooks, privacy, and health and safety, but often get little news coverage.

On issues ranging from household toxics to food safety to elder abuse to personal privacy, Governor Jerry Brown has demonstrated much greater empathy with consumer protection than his predecessor.

When embarrassing exposes don't get an industry's attention, regulations become necessary. AB 688 is a logical companion to federal food and drug safety standards. It's time that retailers got the message that it is not a'ceptable to sell expired food and medication.

Persistence paid off for Senator Joe Simitian. Governor Jerry Brown just signed Simitian’s Senate Bill 24, which will arm consumers with information to help prevent identity theft.

Consumers Union, the Consumer Federation of California, AARP California and the California Broadband Policy Network are among the bill's foes.