The corrosive influence of big business PAC money undermines every piece of legislation consumers care about. CFC is committed to replacing our “pay to play” campaign finance system with public election financing, to make it more possible for candidates to run without depending on corporate handouts.

Lax enforcement of food and product safety laws and free trade agreements with nations that lack health and safety standards has resulted in one public health crisis after another. CFC supports stronger enforcement of food and product safety standards, country of origin labeling, and trade agreements that protect consumers, workers and the environment.

Our private health insurance system is a failure. Millions lack coverage, co-payments for the insured are skyrocketing, and families are going bankrupt due to health costs, while insurers profit. CFC supports a single payer, “Medicare for all” guaranteed health insurance system, and incremental reforms to cover all children, and to regulate insurance rates

Predatory sub prime mortgage, car loan and payday lending has created an endless cycle of debt, record rates of loan defaults and home repossessions. CFC supports re-regulation of credit markets, caps on payday loan interest rates, and assistance with loan restructuring and forgiveness for victims of predatory lenders.

CFC has led the fight to protect consumer financial privacy and stop identity theft. We oppose unwarranted snooping into our lives by business or government, and support common sense regulations that address the ways that technological innovations threaten our civil liberties.

CFC is a longtime advocate for affordable gas, electric, water and telephone services and a vigorous regulatory system that protects consumers. We regularly represent the rights of California consumers before the Public Utilities Commission – to protect our right to high quality utility services at reasonable rates. Telecommunications companies top the list of industries for consumer complaints filed each year. Deregulation has resulted in deceptive advertising, indecipherable phone bills, punitive early termination fees and decreased market competition. CFC is a leading proponent of telecom consumer rights in Sacramento and before the PUC.

Big business finds more and more ways to maximize profit at the consumer’s expense. Some of these corporate practices are outright illegal, others are just unfair. Whether its gift card scams or mistreatment of airline passengers, to name only two current issues – CFC exposes unfair business practices and fights for justice in the marketplace.

Every year we evaluate Assembly members and Senators on a range of issues, including financial privacy, health care reform, cell phone customer rights, and consumer product safety standards. See how California legislators did in 2008.