In The News
Mercury News – Walters: California consumer price regulation often protects companies
We still don’t know if rates limits for PG&E, fire insurance and rent are working as we debate whether to expand them
By Dan Walters, MERCURY NEWS
https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/11/29/walters-california-consumer-price-regulation-often-protects-companies/#
In the 19th century, California began experimenting with regulating the prices of vital...
KCBS-AM (Radio) – San Francisco, CA: There Has Been Outrageous Profiteering By Oil Companies
By Staff Reporters, KCBS – San Francisco, CA
Click below to listen to the audio of this radio broadcast segment.
KNX-AM (Radio) – Los Angeles, CA: The CEC Held A Hearing Today On How To Implement A Penalty On Excessive Oil Company Profits
By Staff Reporters, KNX – Los Angeles, CA
Click below to listen to the audio of this radio broadcast segment.
Politico – Giving Californians an out on AI
By Blake Jones, POLITICO
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/california-playbook-pm/2023/11/27/giving-californians-an-out-on-ai-00128791
With help from Alfred Ng
TUNE IN, OPT OUT: Artificial intelligence can help decide whether you get a job, bank loan or housing — but such uses of the technology could soon be limited in California.
Regulations proposed today would allow Californians to opt out...
KCBS-AM (Radio) – San Francisco, CA: PG&E will not be facing any civil suits over spoiled food or even life-threatening situations that arose from past wild...
By Staff Reporters, KCBS – San Francisco, CA
Click below to listen to the audio of this radio broadcast segment.
Insurance Business – California voters oppose insurance reforms, says Consumer Watchdog
Reforms labelled a "deregulation deal with insurers"
By Mike Pangilinan, INSURANCE BUSINESS
https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/us/news/catastrophe/california-voters-oppose-insurance-reforms-says-consumer-watchdog-467078.aspx
California voters oppose proposed reforms that would provide insurance companies more leeway to set their rates in exchange for insuring homeowners in high wildfire risk areas, according to...
Palo Alto Weekly – How California’s fire insurance woes are impacting Peninsula homeowners
By David Goll, PALO ALTO WEEKLY
https://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/2023/11/16/how-californias-fire-insurance-woes-are-impacting-peninsula-homeowners
Over the past decade, multiple destructive wildfires have ravaged California, creating an unprecedented homeowners insurance crisis both locally and statewide.
Obtaining new homeowners insurance policies — and even securing renewals on existing policies in...
The Press-Enterprise – LA City Hall scandals never go away
By The Editorial Board, PRESS-ENTERPRISE
https://www.pressenterprise.com/2023/11/16/la-city-hall-scandals-never-go-away/
There are new developments in some of the Los Angeles City Hall scandals, which continue to multiply like rabbits.
Last Wednesday, the City Council agreed to pay $1.8 million to an LAPD officer who sued...
Politico – Fire Fight
By Wes Venteicher, POLITICO
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/california-climate/2023/11/15/climate-scientists-on-strike-00127501
FIRE FIGHT: Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara’s main antagonist is out with a poll today throwing cold water on his plans to shore up the state’s crumbling wildfire insurance market.
Consumer Watchdog’s poll, taken last month of 639 likely...
Times of San Diego – Proposed 2024 Ballot Measure Would Close Loopholes in California Public Records Act
By JW August, TIMES OF SAN DIEGO
https://timesofsandiego.com/politics/2023/11/12/proposed-2024-ballot-measure-would-close-loopholes-in-california-public-records-act/
It was a milestone moment in open government in 1968 when then California Gov. Ronald Reagan signed into law what was intended to give all citizens a legal right to inspect and get copies of...
Insurance Business – California democrats voice concern over insurance reforms
They say proposed changes threaten consumer protections under Prop 103
By Mike Pangilinan, INSURANCE BUSINESS
https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/us/news/breaking-news/california-democrats-voice-concern-over-insurance-reforms-466094.aspx
Thirty-two members of California’s Democratic Congressional Delegation have written a letter to insurance commissioner Ricardo Lara, expressing concern that his proposed reforms could weaken consumer...
Spectrum News 1 (San Fernando Valley) – Los Angeles, CA: Fire Insurance Affordability
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU6BGRhfuAE&feature=youtu.be
Carmen Balber says homeowners should push state lawmakers to hold insurance companies accountable, so what people can really do aside from shopping around is go to their state lawmakers and say enough is enough.
KGTV-SD (ABC) – San Diego, CA: Doctor Accused of Putting Hidden Camera In A Hospital Restroom
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZmTx3mhJlY
Consumer Watchdog's Carmen Balber says it shouldn't have taken the medical board almost 3 years to post its case against the doctor.
Insurance Business – Consumer group highlights “loopholes” in California’s insurance reforms
By Mike Pangilinan, INSURANCE BUSINESS
https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/us/news/property/consumer-group-highlights-loopholes-in-californias-insurance-reforms-465492.aspx
A consumer advocacy group in California has claimed that a rule introduced by insurance commissioner Ricardo Lara lacks substantial consumer benefits and is marred by “loopholes.”
The rule, which is part of a larger reform...
The San Francisco Chronicle – Four more home insurance brands leave California
By Clare Fonstein, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
https://www.sfchronicle.com/california/article/california-loses-four-home-insurance-companies-18457381.php
Four small insurers say they will not renew California home policies starting in 2024.
The four companies -- Merastar Insurance Co., Unitrin Auto and Home Insurance Co., Unitrin Direct Property and Casualty Co. and...
Mercury News – Consumer group says records show California insurance commissioner drafted proposed market fix with industry lobbyists
Some insurance companies have cancelled homeowners policies or refused to write new policies
By John Woolfolk, MERCURY NEWS
https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/10/27/consumer-group-says-records-show-insurance-commissioner-drafted-proposed-market-fix-with-industry-lobbyists/
A consumer group says California's Department of Insurance communications obtained through a records request show the commissioner's proposed fixes to the state's...
Daily Kos – Valero Posts $2.6 Billion 3rd Quarter Profit On CA Gasoline Margins 70% Greater Than Other Regions
By Dan Bacher, THE DAILY KOS
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/10/26/2201823/-Valero-Posts-2-6-Billion-3rd-Quarter-Profit-On-CA-Gasoline-Margins-70-Greater-Than-Other-Regions?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=latest_community&pm_medium=web
Los Angeles, CA—The third quarter report to shareholders by Valero Energy Corporation shows it made 70% more per gallon in California than in any other region of the U.S. or the globe that it...
San Diego Union Tribune – Will San Diegans see another spike in natural gas bills this winter?
By Rob Nikolweski, THE SAN DIEGO UNION TRIBUNE
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/story/2023-10-26/will-san-diegans-see-another-spike-in-natural-gas-bills-this-winter
As the weather turns chilly in the coming weeks and months, San Diego Gas & Electric officials are guardedly optimistic that utility customers with natural gas hookups won’t see a repeat...
KNX-AM (Radio) – Los Angeles, CA: California’s Deal With The Insurance Industry To Preserve Wildfire Coverage Is A Sham
By Staff Reporters, KNX – Los Angeles, CA
Click below to listen to the audio of this radio broadcast segment.
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