Consumer Watchdog

Los Angeles Times Pulitzer Prize-winning Columnist Michael Hiltzik: Uber is trying to snow voters with a supposedly pro-consumer ballot initiative. Don’t buy it

By Michael Hiltzik, LOS ANGELES TIMES https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2026-01-16/uber-tries-to-snow-voters-with-supposedly-pro-consumer-ballot-initiative Uber loves to define itself as a most public-spirited company.  “We’re reimagining how the world moves…

The Press Democrats – How corporate leaders and donors shaped Newsom’s biggest policy pivots

By Ethan Varian, THE PRESS DEMOCRATS On June 23, Gov. Gavin Newsom had a scheduled call with Mark Lashier, the chief executive…

San Francisco Chronicle – California bills would tackle wildfire underinsurance and underpayment in wake of Chronicle investigation

By Megan Fan Munce, Susie Neilson, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE https://www.sfchronicle.com/california-wildfires/article/underinsurance-legislation-21280891.php A year after fires razed entire neighborhoods in Los Angeles, California lawmakers unveiled a slate of…

To The Point with Alex Bell: California’s Insurance Crisis

KXTV-SAC (ABC): California’s Insurance Crisis

Los Angeles Times – Complaints over insurers’ handling of L.A. wildfire claims prompt a flurry of bills

By Laurence Darmiento, LOS ANGELES TIMES Since the January 2025 firestorms damaged or destroyed more than 12,000 homes in Los Angeles County,…

Los Angeles Daily News – LA wildfire rebuilding effort draws billions in aid, grants

By Pat Maio, LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS Billions of dollars have flowed into the Los Angeles area since the January 2025 wildfires exploded across the region.…

Daily Journal – Tens of millions raised as Uber, trial lawyers gird for 2026 ballot initiatives

By Malcom Maclachlan, DAILY JOURNAL CAOC-backed committees report massive fundraising totals as title and summary approvals allow competing ballot measures to move…

Politico – Consumer group sues oil companies for gas price hike linked to California regulation

The class action lawsuit argues that five gasoline producers preemptively raised prices before changes to the low-carbon fuel standard kicked in. By…

Davis Enterprise: Lara here to make insurers’ wishes come true

By Tom Elias, DAVIS ENTERPRISE https://www.davisenterprise.com/forum/tom-elias-lara-here-to-make-insurers-wishes-come-true/article_ace33bc7-f7c2-4b7a-a6fa-e3805c5f3df9.html As he prepares for his last year in office, California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara is going…

Santa Ynez Valley News – Lara seeks to fulfill insurance company wishes

By Thomas Elias, SANTA YNEZ VAKKEY NEWS https://syvnews.com/opinion/columnists/lara-seeks-to-fulfill-insurance-company-wishes-thomas-elias/article_457c9351-dd88-5de5-a26f-c74b5de45b46.html As he prepares for his last year in office, California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara…

The Coast News Group – Elias: Lara does insurance companies’ bidding

By Tom Elias, THE COAST NEWS GROUP https://thecoastnews.com/elias-lara-does-insurance-companies-bidding As he prepares for his last year in office, California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara…

Los Angeles Times – The L.A. wildfires exposed a broken insurance market. Why wasn’t it fixed?

By Paige St. John, LOS ANGELES TIMES https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2025-12-04/californias-insurance-crisis-ricardo-lara-la-wildfires-why-wasnt-it-fixed California’s property insurance market was unraveling fast in mid-2023 when the state’s insurance commissioner,…

San Francisco Chronicle – State Farm faces second government investigation into Los Angeles wildfire response

By Megan Fan Munce and Susie Neilson, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE https://www.sfchronicle.com/california/article/state-farm-investigation-los-angeles-21171274.php After months of consumer complaints and lawsuits over its response to…

Los Angeles Times – Foul-mouthed, brash and savvy: What to know about ex-Newsom aide tangled in a corruption probe

By Dakota Smith and Katie King, LOS ANGELES TIMES https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-11-14/dana-williamson-newsom-aide-profile-federal-indictment The FBI was secretly listening last year when a high-ranking advisor to Gov. Gavin Newsom…

Pasadena Now – LA County Opens Investigation into State Farm’s Handling of Wildfire Claims

By City News Service Los Angeles County attorneys Thursday launched an investigation into State Farm over their handling of insurance claims filed…

Los Angeles Times – L.A. County opens probe into State Farm’s handling of January wildfire claims

By Laurence Darmiento, LOS ANGELES TIMES Los Angeles County announced Thursday it is opening an investigation into how State Farm General has…

Mercury News – California insurers to charge homeowners for FAIR Plan bailout after LA wildfires

By Ethan Varian, MERCURY NEWS Homeowners across California will soon see a new charge on their monthly insurance bills to help pay…