Consumer Watchdog

The Observer: Proposed Law Requiring Oil Refiners To Disclose Profits Is Only First Step

Opinion Column by Jim Shields, THE WILLITS NEWS

July 2, 2022

https://www.willitsnews.com/2022/07/02/the-observer-proposed-law-requir…

As I reported to you last month, there’s a proposed law that would require oil refiners to disclose their per gallon profits on a monthly basis. The bill recently already passed out of the California Senate by a vote of 22-4.

California State Senator Pushes For New Bill Requiring Oil Refineries To Disclose Profits

By Tom Wait, KCBS TV-2 Los Angeles, CA

June 28, 2022

https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/california-state-senator-pushes…

With oil companies raking in record profits, one state senator is pushing a new law that would require refiners to disclose how much they make on every gallon of gas they sell. 

58 California Legislators Have Taken Over $10,000 In 'Dirty Donations'

By Dan Bacher, INDYBAY

June 12, 2022

https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2022/06/12/18850413.php

A May 2022 update to its Tracking the Dirty Dollars Project by Sierra Club California provides some clarity why California’s environmental policies don't live up to the “green” words of the state’s politicians. This update reveals that only 15 legislators have not received campaign contributions from polluters and their allies since January 1, 2021.

KPFA 94.1FM Pacifica Radio - Berkeley, CA: Consumer Watchdog Files Complaint Against Insurance Commissioner Lara For Not Disclosing Source Of Campaign Funds

By KPFA 94.1FM Pacifica Radio - Berkeley, CA

June 8, 2022

Click here to listen to the audio of this radio broadcast segment.

Carmen Balber with Consumer Watchdog explains why the group filed a complaint with the FPPC regarding the CA Insurance Commissioner's failure to disclose the source of certain funding to his campaign for re-election. 

Cost to Californians $10 Trillion by 2045 From Oil And Gas, Consumer Watchdog Reveals in New Report

By Dan Bacher, ELK GROVE NEWS

June 3, 2022

http://www.elkgrovenews.net/2022/06/cost-to-californians-10-trillion-by…

Los Angeles, CA—A new report released today by Consumer Watchdog reveals that the true cost to the public of California’s oil and gas production and combustion is estimated to reach $10 trillion by 2045.

California Commission Investigating Insurance Commissioner's Campaign Funding

By Timothy Darragh, BEST WIRE

May 31, 2022

https://news.ambest.com/NewsContent.aspx?refnum=241834&altsrc=23

SACRAMENTO, CA -- A California commission on campaigns and finance has opened a money laundering investigation into the campaign of Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, days before his fight to retain his office in the Democratic primary race.

California Wants To Force Insurers To Reward Homeowners For Fireproofing Homes

By Grace Gedye, CAL MATTERS

May 26, 2022

https://calmatters.org/economy/2022/05/fire-insurance-rules/

IN SUMMARY

New rules proposed by California’s Department of Insurance would require insurers to take homeowners’ efforts to reduce wildfire risk into account when setting premiums. But they would still allow non-renewals.

 

The Dilemma Of Property Insurance On The Hill

By David Jerome, IDYLWILD TOWN CRIER

May 25, 2022

The California Department of Insurance (CDI) is rolling out new regulations mandating that insurers in the state offer discounts to policyholders who undertake fire hazard mitigation and structure "hardening." The rules are intended to make decisions about rate and risk more transparent and more tuned to the specific risk of an individual property, as opposed to just the zone it is in.

Bill Requiring Refiners To Disclose Monthly Profits Passes Out OF California Senate

By Ian Taylor, BUNKERSPOT

May 25, 2022

https://www.bunkerspot.com/americas/56310-americas-bill-requiring-refin…

SB 1322 (Allen) – a bill that would require oil refiners to disclose their profits on a monthly basis – has passed out of the California Senate by a vote of 22 to 4 and will now be heard in the California Assembly.

California Gets New Rules Covering Medical Malpractice Payments. Here’s What Will Change

By Melody Gutierrez, LOS ANGELES TIMES

May 23, 2022

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-05-23/california-new-rule…

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill Monday to raise the amount of money that patients can receive in medical malpractice cases, increasing pain and suffering payments for the first time since lawmakers placed a cap on monetary damages nearly five decades ago. 

California To Raise Medical Malpractice Caps After 47 Years

By Victoria Colliver, POLITICO PRO

May 23, 2022

Gavin Newsom on Monday signed a bill to update California's medical malpractice damage cap, ending a long-fought battle to adjust the pain-and-suffering limit that has remained unchanged for 47 years.

"After decades on negotiations, legislators, patient groups, and medical professionals have reached a consensus that protects patients and the stability of our health care system," Newsom said in a statement following the bill's signing, which was not public. 

KNX 1070 AM Los Angeles, CA: Consumer Advocates Applaud Newsom Signing Bill Raising Medical Malpractice Damages Cap in California

By Emily Valdez, KNX 1070 AM Los Angeles, CA

May 22, 2022

Click here to listen to the audio of this radio broadcast segment. 

Jamie Court, President of Consumer Watchdog, applauding Governor Newsom signing AB 35 which will raise the medical malpractice damages cap in California. 

Advocates and Victims' Families Look Forward To Gov. Newsom Signing Med Mal Cap Reform Bill

By Staff Reports, KCRW 89.9FM Santa Monica, CA

May 19, 2022

Click here to listen to the audio of this radio news broadcast segment.

Advocates and victims' families look forward to Governor Newsom signing AB 35 into law to raise the cap on medical malpractice damages in California after nearly 50 years. 

KCBS 740AM San Francisco, CA: Consumer Advocates and Victims' Families Approve of Raising of Med Mal Cap

By Staff Reports, KCBS 740AM San Francisco, CA

May 18, 2022

Click here to listen to the audio of this radio broadcast segment.

Consumer Advocates and victims' families approve of the passage of AB 35 which will raise the cap on medical malpractice damages for the first time in nearly 50 years. 

California Focus: Doubt Removed; Oil Refiners Gouging Us

Column by Tom Elias, CHICO ENTERRISE-RECORD

May 17, 2022

https://www.chicoer.com/2022/05/17/doubt-removed-oil-refiners-gouging-u…

There was some room for doubt back in February, when gasoline prices rose precipitously: Until the oil companies who refine most California gas unveiled their first-quarter profits, it would be impossible to be sure the spike stemmed from price gouging.

California Lawmakers Raise Awards For Malpractice Lawsuits

By Adam Beam, ASSOCIATED PRESS

May 13, 2022

https://apnews.com/article/health-lawsuits-california-legislature-gavin…

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The California Legislature on Thursday agreed to increase how much money people can win in medical malpractice lawsuits, resolving one of the thorniest disputes in state politics by raising a cap on damages for the first time in 47 years.

'Oil Refiners Exploited The Crisis': Report Shows Oil Refiners Are Gouging California Drivers

By Alexi Chidbachian, KTTV FOX TV-11 Los Angeles, CA

May 11, 2022

https://www.foxla.com/news/oil-refiners-exploited-the-crisis-report-sho…

LOS ANGELES - A recent investor profits report shows that California oil refiners are gouging Californians as they earn more than double the number of other refiners.

Column: Everyone Wins In Compromise To Increase Malpractice Payouts — Especially Victims

Column by George Skelton, LOS ANGELES TIMES

May 9, 2022

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-05-09/skelton-malpractice…

SACRAMENTO — It’s being called the Sacramento equivalent of the Berlin Wall falling. Or a Middle East peace pact.

Long-warring enemies have suddenly negotiated a historic compromise over how much money medical malpractice victims can be awarded for pain and suffering.

Western States Petroleum Association Spent $17.5 Million On CA Lobbying Over 3 Years, $952,367 In 2022

By Dan Bacher, DAILY KOS

May 6, 2022

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/5/6/2096432/-Western-States-Petro…

Deep regulatory capture by Big Oil is thriving in California, despite continual boasting by politicians that the state is the nation's "green" and "progressive" leader.

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