Consumer Watchdog

U.S. Senator Says Tesla Should Change 'Autopilot' Name

Sen. Ed Markey alleges Tesla drivers are confused by the name and capabilities of Autopilot.

By David A. Wood, CARCOMPLAINTS.COM

February 4, 2020

https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2020/tesla-should-change-autopilot-n…

The Tesla "Autopilot" name allegedly should be changed to clarify the technology isn't fully autonomous and it requires a driver to stay fully engaged with the vehicle and its surroundings.

Bill Requiring Beverage Makers To Handle Recycling Dies

By Don Thompson, AP - THE SANTA ROSA PRESS-DEMOCRAT

January 30, 2020

https://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/10652542-181/bill-requiring-beverage…

SACRAMENTO — A California state senator on Thursday ended his effort to pass a bill requiring beverage distributors to create a new system to take back their own containers, though advocates said they will keep pushing the issue this year.

Bay Area Legislator’s Bill Requiring Beverage Makers to Handle Recycling Dies

By Staff Writers, ASSOCIATED PRESS - KPIX CBS TV-5 San Francisco, CA

January 30, 2020

https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2020/01/30/bay-area-legislator-bill-r…

SACRAMENTO (AP) — A California state senator on Thursday ended his effort to pass a bill requiring beverage distributors to create a new system to take back their own containers, though advocates said they will keep pushing the issue this year.

Consumer Group Objects as Mercury General Proposes 5% Auto Rate Hike in California

By Timothy Darragh, BESTWIRE

January 29, 2020

http://news.ambest.com/newscontent.aspx?altsrc=108&refnum=223140

Mercury Insurance Co. subsidiary California Auto Insurance Co. is seeking a 5% rate hike for drivers in the state, which has a consumer group up in arms.

California Department of Insurance records show CAIC issued its request for an increase Dec. 6.

Advocacy Group Urges California Regulator To Reject Proposed Auto Rate Spike

By Duffie Osental, INSURANCE BUSINESS AMERICA

January 28, 2020

https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/us/news/breaking-news/advocacy-gro…

Advocacy group Consumer Watchdog has urged California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to reject a proposed 5% auto insurance rate increase by Mercury Insurance Company that “discriminates against lower income, less-educated drivers.”

How Auto Insurers Use Your Nondriving Habits to Raise Prices

Safe, loyal drivers aren't always rewarded with cheaper rates.

By Kayda Norman, NERDWALLET

January 21, 2010

https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/insurance/price-optimization/

You expect your car insurance rates to increase after you buy a new vehicle, cause a crash or add a young driver to your policy. But some insurers jack up prices based on seemingly unrelated data — like your magazine subscriptions or what groceries you buy.

Central Coast Winemakers React To New CA Bill Proposing Industry-Run Bottle Recycling Program

By Anikka Abbott, KCOY CBS TV-12 /KEYT ABC TV-7 / KKFX FOX TV-11 Santa Barbara, CA

January 15, 2020

https://keyt.com/lifestyle/food/2020/01/15/central-coast-winemakers-rea…

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Senate Bill 372, The Beverage Container Recycling Act of 2020, passed the state senate Environmental Quality Committee Wednesday.

Lawmakers Consider Overhaul To California's Bottle And Can Recycling Program

Advocates say CRV isn't working

By Derek Staahl, KGTV ABC-10 NEWS, SAN DIEGO, CA

January 15, 2020

https://www.10news.com/news/lawmakers-consider-overhaul-to-californias-…

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- State lawmakers are considering an overhaul to the CRV recycling program on bottles and cans that would make drink-makers responsible for setting up a system to collect the containers they produce.

Watchdog, Legislator Offer Plans To Overhaul California’s Recycling Program

By Kevin Smith, LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS

January 14, 2020

https://www.dailynews.com/2020/01/14/watchdog-legislator-offer-plans-to…

California lawmakers will consider legislation Wednesday, Jan. 15 to revamp the state’s struggling recycling program for bottles and cans — a program Consumer Watchdog fears may collapse unless significant changes are made.

Thirty-Seven Groups Urge Newsom to Halt New Fossil Fuel Drilling, Close Aliso Canyon

By Dan Bacher, INDY BAY MEDIA

January 9, 2020

https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2020/01/09/18829591.php

Sacramento - On the anniversary of Governor Gavin Newsom’s first year in office on January 7, thirty-seven environmental and public health groups called on the governor to declare an “immediate climate emergency” and institute a moratorium on new oil and gas drilling permits. 

Salaries Skyrocket At California State Insurance Fund Following Years Of Scandal

By Patrick McGreevy, LOS ANGELES TIMES

January 4, 2020

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-01-04/state-compensation-…

SACRAMENTO — A California public agency that offers workers’ compensation insurance coverage to employers has recruited a high-priced team of former executives from the private sector to turn it around after years of scandal and financial problems.

New Law To Increase Consumer Privacy Protections In California

By Major Garrett & Carter Evans, CBS EVENING NEWS

December 31, 2019

MAJOR GARRETT: 2020 will bring with it a new law in California that could impact consumers across the country. It gives shoppers control over the way their personal information is used. Carter Evans explains how it works.

(Begin VT)

CARTER EVANS (CBS News Correspondent): Whether shopping in stores or online, retailers collect all sorts of information about you.

CVS Stores Failed To Redeem Customers’ Cans And Bottles, And The Chain Faces $3.6-Million Penalty

By James Rainey, LOS ANGELES TIMES

December 9, 2019

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-12-09/cvs-fails-redeem-ca…

Seeking to pressure retailers to accept recyclable containers from consumers, the state of California has proposed a $3.6-million penalty against the CVS pharmacy chain after dozens of its stores declined to redeem cans and bottles.

PG&E Inspections Of Equipment That Sparked Deadly Camp Fire Were Flawed, State Regulators Say

By Hailey Branson-Potts & Maria L. La Ganga, LOS ANGELES TIMES

December 3, 2019

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-12-02/pge-camp-fire-equip…

For years, Pacific Gas & Electric failed to do climbing inspections of a century-old tower that malfunctioned and sparked last year’s devastating Camp fire, a state investigation has found.

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