Voting & Democracy News

SACRAMENTO—CALPIRG, the consumer advocate, today released its scorecard for the 120 members of the California legislature. Twelve Senators and twenty-eight Assemblymembers scored a perfect 100% for the 2005 session. The average score in the Senate was 64% and the average Assembly score was 62%.

“We applaud the forty consumer champions for their perfect scores,” said Steve Blackledge, legislative director for CALPIRG. “They put the interests of consumers over special interests, whether the issue was safe medicine or stopping auto loan rip-offs, and their constituents need to know that they were well represented on consumer issues in 2005.”

The scorecards enable California voters to learn more about their elected officials’ voting records, giving them the information needed to praise or criticize.

Thanks in large part to the consumer champions, several important new consumer protections were signed into law last year. These laws will protect consumers shopping for new cars (AB 68), prevent life-threatening fires caused by smoldering cigarettes (AB 178), require disclosure of instant tax refund fees (AB 843), and require greater disclosure of hospital costs to help consumers find affordable health care (AB 1045). In addition, a resolution was passed that calls for tight conflict of interest rules to ensure the state’s multi-billion dollar stem cell research fund is spent wisely (ACR 1).

“CALPIRG thanks Assembly Speaker Núñez, Majority Leader Frommer and Assemblymembers Koretz, Montañez, and Negrete McLeod for authoring these important consumer protections,” continued Blackledge.

The Legislature also passed several other consumer bills last year that were vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger. The list of vetoed legislation includes proposals to improve the state’s drug buying pool to access affordable medicine for more Californians (AB 76), create a website for consumers to find affordable medicine options (AB 73), regulate drug company middlemen (AB 78), prevent unnecessary gag orders in court settlements that silence consumer complaints (AB 446), and streamline the process for students applying for financial aid (AB 1241).

Unfortunately, there are still many consumer protections that have not yet become law because they still need to pass one or both of the Legislative houses. CALPIRG will continue to work to pass those laws in the coming year.

“We’re ready and excited to work with legislators and the Governor in the coming year to enact legislation to prevent another Vioxx-like scandal and ensure safe medicine for all Californians, to protect homeowners from insurance policies that penalize them for filing claims and to pass a state budget that reflects the priorities of ordinary citizens,” concluded Blackledge.

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See below for quotes from legislators who received a 100% score:

Southern California legislators::

Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez (Los Angeles):
“It is a particular honor to get a 100 percent from CALPIRG on their legislative scorecard, because I know it means I am doing right by the people of the state of California. In the next legislative year, I hope to continue to lead Assembly Democrats in passing consumer-friendly legislation.”

Assemblywoman Fran Pavley (Agoura Hills):
“I am proud to continue my record of 100% support for California’s consumers. It was a pleasure working with CALPIRG on my AB 78 which would have increased transparency in the prescription drug industry in order to lower prescription drug prices.”

Assemblyman Paul Koretz (West Hollywood):
“AB 178 is an important piece of legislation that will greatly reduce the incidence of cigarette-related fires in the state. I am pleased to have had the strong support of CALPIRG on this significant consumer protection bill. I applaud CALPIRG for the outstanding work they do on behalf of consumers.”

Assemblywoman Karen Bass (Los Angeles):
“I am honored to have received a perfect 100% on the California Public Interest Research Group’s Legislative Scorecard, and for being deemed a “consumer champion.” As a consumer, I realize first hand how critical it is to uphold the interests of consumers in our state. As the threat of innovative, fraudulent scam techniques grows, so too does the need to monitor and legislate policy addressing the issue. I will continue to support legislation that aims to increase consumer protection, privacy and options under the law.”

Assembly Majority Leader Dario Frommer (Los Angeles):
“I’m honored to receive a 100% score from CALPIRG and to have authored 4 of the bills scored on CALPIRG’s 2005 scorecard. I am proud to stand up for consumers who are struggling to afford their prescription drugs, as well fight to ensure that hospitals are not price gouging patients, and I’ll continue to push for similar reforms throughout my political career.”

Senator Nell Soto (Pomona):
“CALPIRG has an impressive track record when it comes to putting the public’s interest before special interests, and I am proud to do my part to put the people first. I do what I can because I believe it is right, but I am also honored to be recognized by an organization that has long been an effective advocate for the people of California.”

Senator Christine Kehoe (San Diego):
“It’s rewarding to be recognized as a consumer champion by CALPIRG. I respect CALPIRG’S dedicated service of advocating for consumers, and am glad they’re keeping their eye on what legislators are doing at the Capitol. It is a privilege to work in Sacramento and look out for the best interests of California consumers by supporting pro-consumer legislation.”

Assemblymember Judy Chu (Monterey Park):
“I’m proud to fight for consumers and I applaud CALPIRG for their dedication and tenacity in this effort. I hope to continue to work with CALPIRG and my progressive colleagues in the Legislature to stem the growing onslaught of scams and deceitful marketing aimed at consumers.”

Assemblymember Lori Saldaña (San Diego):
“I’m proud that, among my duties as a member of the state legislature, I have the responsibility of looking out for the interests of California consumers. I’m happy to have supported and authored legislation in the last year that offers consumers increased protections.”

Assemblymember Betty Karnette (Long Beach):
"Protecting consumer interests, not special interests, should be the objective of every legislator. I am honored to receive a perfect score for the 2005 Session by the consumer advocacy organization, CALPIRG, and will continue to work towards great consumer protections for all Californians."

Assemblymember Carol Liu (La Canada Flintridge):
“Whether it’s tackling the high cost of textbooks or unfair car dealings, CALPIRG has continued to be a champion for the public interest. I applaud and support their efforts to protect California consumers.”

Assemblymember Pedro Nava (Santa Barbara):
“I am honored to receive this important recognition and to stand with the other 39 legislators who put consumers first. California is the 5th largest economy in the world and consumers deserve the protections afforded them by the legislation signed into law this year.”

Assemblymember Mervyn Dymally (Los Angeles):
“CALPIRG is an advocate for the public interest and the consumer. It’s an honor to know that we agree on the most important legislation affecting the consumer 100% of the time.”

Northern California legislators:

Assemblywoman Wilma Chan (Oakland):
“I’m proud to be recognized for the work I’ve done to protect consumer rights. I will continue to work to assure that all consumers have access to affordable health care services and privacy protection.”

Assemblywoman Sally Lieber (Mountain View):
"Corporate America has its hired guns. Californians have CALPIRG. I'm proud to be 100% CALPIRG."

Senator Joe Simitian (Palo Alto):
“I’m gratified by the recognition. We’ve made important headway on consumer protection over the last few years. I will continue to introduce and support legislation that helps to safeguard consumers.”

Senator Liz Figueroa (Sunol):
"Now more than ever, consumers need protection from scam artists and defective products. They also need accurate information to make wise purchasing decisions. I'm proud of the work I've done with organizations who level the playing field for consumers and I will continue to advocate for consumer protections."

Senator Elaine Alquist (Santa Clara):
“I am proud to support measures that empower individual consumers in the marketplace, and I’m honored to receive CALPIRG’s highest ranking.”

Senator Jackie Speier (San Francisco/San Mateo):
“I am deeply honored to receive this award. I have spent my entire legislative career protecting consumers: their lives, their pocketbooks and their identities. I passionately believe that it is one of the most important things we are sent here to do as legislators. And it’s probably the aspect of my work I will miss the most when I leave.”

Speaker Pro Tem Leland Yee (San Francisco):
“All Californians are fortunate to have CALPIRG advocating for their interests. I am proud to have a 100% record with CALPIRG and I look forward to working with them as we fight for greater consumer protection in 2006.”

Assemblymember Dave Jones (Sacramento):
"My constituents sent me to the Legislature to look out for the public interest, not special interests. I am proud to stand with CALPIRG and ordinary citizens in fighting for a sustainable economy and a responsive government."

Senator Deborah Ortiz (Sacramento):
“I’m pleased to have been honored by CALPIRG for my efforts to fight for safe and affordable quality medical care and health insurance for all Californians. California consumers deserve full disclosure and accountability from government agencies established to protect their health and their investments. We deserve honest information about product safety, whether it concerns the cars we drive, the food and water we consume, the air we breathe or the prescription medicines we take.”

Assemblymember Noreen Evans (Santa Rosa):
“I am proud to support legislation providing consumers with real protections.”

Assemblymember Joe Coto (San Jose):
“I am pleased to be able to take action that results in measures that protect consumers and I commend CALPIRG for their efforts to protect consumers.”

Assemblymember Patty Berg (Eureka):
“Of course we’re in accord on these issues. We share the same values.”

Assemblymember Ira Ruskin (Redwood City):
“Providing consumers with strong protections is a fundamental duty of lawmakers, and that is why I am proud to have achieved a 100% voting record from CALPIRG.”

Assemblymember Simon Salinas (Salinas):
“It’s a great honor to be recognized by CALPIRG for my support of consumer protection legislation. It’s my pleasure to have the opportunity to work with such a dedicated group that puts consumers and working families first.”

The full list of bills scored from the 2005 session are: prescription drug bills (AB 73 (Frommer), AB 75 (Frommer), AB 76 (Frommer), AB 78 (Pavley), SB 401 (Ortiz), SB 163 (Scott), and SB 380 (Alquist)); hospital pricing bills (AB 1045 (Frommer) and AB 774 (Chan)); a healthcare coverage bill (SB 840 (Kuehl)); a resolution on the Stem Cell Research fund (ACR1 (Negrete McLeod)); bills to protect consumers in the marketplace when purchasing cars, signing cell phone contracts, buying safe beef, and paying for instant tax refunds (AB 68 (Montañez), SB 1068 (Escutia), AB 1058 (Koretz), and AB 843 (Núñez)); a bill to protect commercial victims of identity theft (AB 424 (Calderon)); a bill to prevent consumer gag orders in court settlements (AB 446 (Negrete McLeod)); a bill to require self-extinguishing cigarettes (AB 178 (Koretz)); government reform bills (AB 709 (Wolk), SB 204 (Bowen), SB 11 (Bowen), SB 787 (McClintock)); and a bill for accessible student aid (AB 1241 (Matthews)).

For a full copy of the scorecard and description of the bills, visit www.calpirg.org. CALPIRG is a statewide consumer advocacy organization.