"These are a few bright spots in a pretty dismal year for consumers. The most far reaching, pro-consumer legislation failed to even pass the legislature," said Richard Holober, Executive Director of the CFC. "Of the 14 bills we identified as most important that did reach the Governor’s desk, he took the side of the consumer in only six instances..."

"We are disappointed that the Governor sided with big business interests and against consumers on the majority of bills that reached his desk. The Governor turned a deaf ear to California consumers on key food safety, automobile insurance and financial privacy proposals."

2009 Interim Consumer Scorecard provides a snapshot of state lawmakers’ votes on several key consumer protection bills. The scorecard includes votes cast before the legislature adjourned for the summer recess.

Lawmakers returning from summer recess today will be greeted by a letter from nine consumer rights organizations outlining legislative priorities during the final month of the 2009 session.

While lawmakers grapple with the imminent crisis, we must plan for long term solutions to the structural budget shortfall. Tax justice demands that wealthy businesses pay their fair share before we further decimate our schools and hospitals.

Average scores were 59 percent in the Senate and 62 percent in the Assembly. The scorecard highlighted a deep ideological split between the two parties when it comes to consumer rights protections. Assembly Democrats had an average score of 90 percent, with Senate Democrats averaging 81 percent. Assembly Republicans took the side of consumers only 20 percent of the time, and Senate Republicans scored slightly better with 23 percent.

The No on Prop 10 Campaign issued a strongly worded letter today to Yes on 10 Campaign Manager Marty Wilson and Chair Alison Hart demanding an immediate public retraction for an email they sent associating Proposition 10 with Senator Obama and his energy plan.

"While Proposition 10 appears to be a measure to improve our air and protect the global environment, its public subsidies are heavily skewed toward building markets for an energy source that could increase global warming emissions."

Reports filed last week with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the California Secretary of State’s office offer further proof that Proposition 10 is nothing more than a shrewd business investment by Texas oil tycoon T. Boone Pickens.

The Consumer Federation of California (CFC) launched www.noonproposition10.org - the No on Prop 10 website - dedicated to defeating an initiative that calls for $5 billion in bonds to subsidize natural gas powered vehicles along with a modest investment in renewable energy development.

Consumers will get a break this holiday season thanks to a new California law - Senate Bill 250 by Senator Ellen Corbett (D - San Leandro). The new law gives consumers the right to cash in an unused or partially used gift card when the value of the card is less than ten dollars.

The Consumer Federation of California today applauded Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner's order against Allstate for overcharging Californians for homeowners insurance.