Consumerist
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idk y txts r so $$. Consumers Union's Joel Kelsey says what all already knew—text messages are way overpriced—only he got to say it during testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights. [Consumer Reports Electronics]
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consumerist goes to washington
Get Informed About Credit Card Reform
As we prepare to talk credit card reform with the Obama folks, we want to make sure you're all able to follow along at home. Inside, we present a cornucopia of fact sheets, charts, and links about the fight for credit card reform. More » -
employment discrimination
Forced Arbitration: You Can't Sue Us For Discrimination
Besides banning forced arbitration in consumer and franchise contracts, the Arbitration Fairness Act bans mandatory binding arbitration clauses in employment contracts. John's story illustrates why this is necessary, inside. More » -
news from the swamp
Legislation To Protect Consumers From Crappy Credit Card Practices Moves Forward
The Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights is back in the news, and with Congress considering the legislation, we offer a refresher on what's in this bill and why it's important. More » -
spam
Senators Introduce Bill To Ban Text Message Spam
Senators Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, and Bill Nelson, D-Florida, have introduced the m-SPAM Act, which would update the CAN-SPAM law to include text message spam. "The m-SPAM Act would explicitly bar marketers from sending text messages to any mobile number in the national Do-Not-Call registry maintained by the FTC," reports InternetNews.
"New Bill Looks to Clamp Down on Mobile Spam" [InternetNews via mocoNews]
(Photo: nate steiner) -
news from the swamp
After Decade-Long Delay, House Tells FDA To Regulate Tobacco
The House this week voted to empower the FDA to regulate tobacco, just in case people still smoke even after new taxes push the cost of cigarettes to over $9 per pack and the recession bankrupts everyone. Under the measure, which passed 298-112, the FDA would be able to set nicotine levels, control cigarette advertising, and require companies to provide a full list of cigarette ingredients. As usual, the killjoys in the Senate may force the House to smoke a light version of the cigarette bill... More » -
math is hard
Survey: Politicians Pretty Much Suck At Paying Taxes
Following up on the multiple Obama nominees who've had tax troubles, Politico asked the 99 members of the Senate whether they've ever had mistakes on their tax returns or filed back taxes. Yes and yes. More » -
Senate approves $838 billion economic stimulus bill 61 to 37. C-Span says three Republicans broke ranks to vote for it: Senators Susan Collins, Olympia Snowe, and Arlen Specter.
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pointing fingers
So, Who's To Blame For The Salmonella Outbreak? PCA, The FDA, The CDC...
We know there's salmonella story fatigue setting in, but this new overview from yesterday's Senate hearing is the best yet as far as piecing together exactly how salmonella-tainted peanut butter made it into our food supply for such a long period of time, and why it took so long to trace it back to a single rotten peanut plant in Georgia. Ultimately the blame lies with Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) for failing to maintain its factory and for not destroying lots that tested positive for salmonella, but both the FDA and the CDC had a role in it, too. One example: the FDA didn't even know the plant produced peanut butter or peanut paste until 2007. More » -
apologies
Senate Sergeant at Arms Joins Facebook To Apologize To Inaugural Ticket Holders
The Senate's Sergeant at Arms, Terry Gainer, joined Facebook to deliver a picture perfect apology to the survivors of the so-called Purple Tunnel of Doom, a group of several thousand people who were kept out of President Obama's inauguration even though they had tickets. It takes a superior apology to address a colossal failure, and Gainer certainly delivered. The sincerity and completeness of the apology easily make it one of the best mea culpas we've ever seen. More » -
After failing to get the required two-third majority on Wednesday, the House is expected next week to pass legislation delaying the digital television transition to June 12, according to White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. The Senate has already voted to extend the deadline, and President Obama has indicated he will sign the bill.
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digital tv transition
Congress Prepares To Push Back Digital TV Deadline
Congress may soon help the 1.76 million consumers anxiously waiting for their $40 digital TV converter coupons. According to Congress Daily, Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) is drafting legislation to push back the February 17 digital television transition deadline as requested last week by both Consumers Union and the incoming Obama Administration. More » -
mortgages
Citibank, Senate Agree On "Cramdown" Bill To Prevent Foreclosures
Ever heard of a cramdown? It's when a bankrupcty court splits a home loan into two parts: a secured loan that's equal to the current value of the home, and an unsecured loan that covers the rest of the outstanding debt. The secured loan is paid, and the unsecured isn't. It can result in lower monthly payments (if the new loan amount is amortized over the course of the loan), but the important part is that it helps guarantee that a significant part of the loan will still be paid off.
You'll probably hear it a lot more in 2009, because the Senate and Citibank have just reached an agreement to allow cramdowns for homeowners who have filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy protection. More »
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senate
Illinois Jeweler Selling Senate Seats
As Gawker pointed out, a Chicago furniture store is running ads claiming that it "sells more seats than the Governor." Now a local jewelry store is literally selling Senate seats, as beautiful charms! -
auto bailout
Auto Bailout Passes House, But May Get Stuck In The Senate
The Auto Bailout Bill passed House yesterday, but is expected to encounter strong Republican resistance in the Senate. -
text messages
Wireless Carriers Tell Senate: "Text Messaging Rates Have Dropped, And Your Queries Have Led To Lawsuits Against Us!"
The national wireless carriers have responded to the Senate's request for information on why its text-messaging fees have doubled over the past three years. Their collective response: they haven't gotten more expensive, they've gotten cheaper—and your public suspicion of our business practices has led to lots of class action lawsuits! More » -
bailout
Congressional Negotiators Strike Bailout Deal
Congressional negotiators agreed in principle last night to a $700 billion bailout package. The bill is currently being transformed into draft legislation that can be voted ontonighttomorrow. More »
senate
New York, 1:36 PM
Sun Jul 5
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