CalRecycle Approves Two CRV Pilot Projects
California is exploring new models to boost consumer access to California Redemption Value (CRV) bottles and cans.
By Megan Smalley, RECYCLING TODAY
February 17, 2020
https://www.recyclingtoday.com/article/calrecycle-approves-two-crv-pilo…
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.
Another Top California Oil Regulator Will Step Down Amid Continued Probes
By Janet Wilson, THE DESERT SUN
January 31, 2020
https://www.desertsun.com/story/tech/science/energy/2020/01/31/californ…
Jason Marshall, one of California's top oil and gas regulators, is stepping down.
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.
[Keen To Be Green] Reducing Our Recyclables
By Meher McArthur, LOZ FELIZ LEDGER
January 30, 2020
https://www.losfelizledger.com/keen-to-be-green-reducing-our-recyclable…
Last year, California lost almost 300 recycling centers when the recycling center chain RePlanet closed in August, citing decreasing prices for aluminum and PET plastic and rising operating costs and wages.
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.”
Column: Oil Industry Subpoenas Aim To Harass And Intimidate, Consumer Group Says
By Michael Hiltzik, LOS ANGELES TIMES
January 23, 2020
https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2020-01-23/chevron-and-exxon-con…
Litigation is nobody’s idea of fun (except, perhaps, lawyers), and that’s certainly true for anyone dragged into a lawsuit without being either a plaintiff or defendant.
California Senate Advances EPR Changes For Struggling Bottle Bill
Beverage distributors would be required to form a product stewardship organization for container collection. The state's container redemption program has experienced mounting financial strain.
By Katie Pyzyk, WASTE DIVE
January 22, 2020
https://www.wastedive.com/news/california-senate-advances-epr-changes-s…
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.
California May Put Onus On Industry For Bottle Bill
By Steve Toloken, PLASTICS NEWS
January 20, 2020
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/california-may-put-onus-industry-run-…
California is looking next door to Oregon for how it can fix its container recycling system, potentially shifting toward one that would put the onus on the bottling industry to design and operate.
Autonomous Rules to Remain Voluntary in the U.S.
By Paul Eisenstein, RIDE TECH BLOG
January 17, 2020
https://ride.tech/mobility-lifestyle/us-dot-sec-unveils-voluntary-av-gu…
The White House has announced plans regarding public testing of autonomous vehicles.
California Shaping Up As Beverage Container Recycling Battleground
Golden State legislature being lobbied for bottle bill reform while national trade groups propose national framework.
By Brian Taylor, WASTE TODAY
January 16, 2020
https://www.wastetodaymagazine.com/article/california-crv-bottle-can-re…
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.
To Improve Recycling, State Legislature Wants Beverage Companies To Take Back Their Own Containers
By Madeleine Brand, PRESS PLAY - KCRW 89.9FM SANTA MONICA, CA
January 15, 2020
Click here to listen to the audio of this radio broadcast segment: https://www.kcrw.com/news/shows/press-play-with-madeleine-brand/impeach…
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.
Report: Salaries at California State Fund Being Questioned
By Staff Writers, INSURANCE JOURNAL
January 6, 2020
https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/west/2020/01/06/553686.htm
Salaries at California’s State Compensation Fund are being called into question by some people in the state Capitol, it’s being reported.
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.
2020 California Election Preview: Propositions Galore
By Samuel Metz, THE DESERT SUN
January 1, 2020
https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/01/01/cali…
In addition to voting for president in 2020, Californians may weigh in at the ballot box on everything from legalizing psychedelic mushrooms to allowing sports betting at tribal casinos.
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.
He Removed His Own Eyeball In A Psych Hospital. His Family Couldn’t Sue — Until Now
By Soumya Karlamangla, LOS ANGELES TIMES
December 27, 2019
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-12-27/self-blinded-man-ps…
Roman Arustamyan can’t see the holiday decorations surrounding him, or his wife and children shuffling around in sweaters in their Van Nuys home.
California Tries To Curb Discrimination In Auto Insurance Pricing
By Greg Iacurci, CNBC TV
December 24, 2019
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/24/california-tries-to-curb-discrimination…
California officials proposed a rule on Tuesday that would cut discriminatory pricing practices being used by auto insurance companies in the state.
California May Limit Using Jobs, School For Auto Insurance Rates
By Don Thompson, ASSOCIATED PRESS
December 24, 2019
https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/12/24/california-may-limit-using-jobs-…
SACRAMENTO — California is proposing to restrict auto insurance practices that regulators say benefit those who have more money, more education and are white.
California to Toughen Rules on Group Discounts for Car Insurance
Investigation found some programs discriminated against low-income people
By Leslie Scism, THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
December 23, 2019
https://www.wsj.com/articles/california-to-toughen-rules-on-group-disco…
California Is Still Stuck In The Past On Medical Malpractice Payouts
Column by George Skelton, LOS ANGELES TIMES
December 23, 2019
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-12-23/skelton-medical-mal…
SACRAMENTO — California is arguably the nation’s most politically “progressive” state. That’s our reputation. Left coast and all that. But on one issue, no state is more regressive.
Holding Medical Providers Accountable
Patient safety depends on medical providers and hospitals being held accountable when they do harm. When there are no consequences for medical negligence, patient care never gets better.
California’s 45-Year-Old Limits on Patient Rights Must Be Updated
In 1975, the legislature placed a series of limits on injured patients’ legal rights. Most prominent among the law’s restrictions was a $250,000 cap on non-economic or quality of life compensation for patients harmed by medical negligence.
Will the Fairness for Injured Patients Act adversely impact community clinics?
No. Updating California’s 45-year-old medical negligence cap will help the primarily low-income Californians served by community clinics by improving their access to justice if they are harmed by medical negligence.
The Fairness for Injured Patients Act protects low-income patients
Updating California’s 45-year-old medical negligence cap will help the primarily low-income Californians served by community clinics by improving their access to justice if they are harmed by medical negligence.
CA’s $250,000 Compensation Cap Set in 1975 is Most Regressive in America
20 states plus Washington, DC have no cap on noneconomic damages.
- These include progressive states such as New York, Washington, and Connecticut as well as conservative states like Alabama, Wyoming, and Kentucky.
California is 1 of just 3 states with a cap as low as $250,000 with no exceptions. $250,000 is the lowest cap in the country. (Montana and Texas are the other two)
In just 2019, 3 states either overturned their caps or adjusted them for inflation.
Caps Have No Impact On Doctor Supply
Some argue that caps on compensation for victims of medical negligence prevent doctors from leaving a state because of liability fears. This claim is demonstrably false.
There are more doctors per capita in states without caps than in states with caps
Caps Have No Impact On Doctor Supply
Some argue that caps on compensation for victims of medical negligence prevent doctors from leaving a state because of liability fears. This claim is demonstrably false.
There are more doctors per capita in states without caps than in states with caps
Proponents Of MICRA Cap Increase Kick Off Ballot Campaign
By Malcolm Maclachlan, LOS ANGELES DAILY JOURNAL
DECEMBER 17,2019
SACRAMENTO – Often fighting back tears, proponents of an initiative to raise California’s 44-year old cap on non-economic medical malpractice damages kicked off their signature gathering campaign Monday.
FIPA Launch - KNX 1070 AM Los Angeles, CA radio coverage
By Staff Reporters, KNX 1070 AM Los Angeles, CA
December 17, 2019
Click here to listen to the audio of this radio broadcast segment covering the launch of the Fairness for Injured Patients Act statewide ballot initiative in California for November 2020: https://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/2019-12/KNX_Boxer_…
FIPA Initiative Launch - KQED 88.5 FM San Francisco, CA radio coverage
By Staff Reporters, KQED 88.5 FM San Francisco, CA
December 17, 2019
Click here to listen to the audio of this radio broadcast segment covering the launch of the Fairness for Injured Patients Act statewide ballot initiative in California for November 2020: https://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/2019-12/RADKQED_12…
FIPA Initiative Launch - KFBK 1530 AM Sacramento radio coverage
By Staff Reporters, KFBK 1530 AM Sacramento, CA
December 17, 2019
Click here to listen to the audio of this radio broadcast segment covering the launch of the Fairness for Injured Patients Act statewide ballot initiative in California for November 2020: https://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/2019-12/RADKFBK_12…
Medical Negligence Caps Target Women
WOMEN are disproportionately harmed by outdated limits on the ability of injured patients to recover damages. California’s cap on compensation for “non-economic” or quality of life harm prevents women from getting justice.
Boxer, Christine Pelosi Support California Initiative Boosting MICRA Cap
By Angela Hart, POLITICO PRO
December 16, 2019
SACRAMENTO — Former U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer on Monday threw her support behind a November ballot initiative to increase a decades-old cap on compensation in California medical negligence cases.
A Boxer Swings For The Ballot
By Andrew Wheeler, SACRAMENTO BEE - CAPITOL ALERT
December 16, 2019
https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article23…
A surgery gone wrong ended boxer “Sugar” Shane Mosley’s career. Now he’s fighting to change a California law that caps certain medical negligence lawsuit payouts .
