Legislation
In addition to or advocacy work at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), TURN works to enact legislation that guarantees lower bills and livable planet.
Phone Company Cutbacks Threaten Public Safety
TURN warns against passage of SB-1375, a phone company proposal that would drastically reduce 911 access.
Gaps Emerge in Consumer Protections after Phone Deregulation
by California Political Desk, California Chronicle
July 20th, 2010
by California Political Desk, California Chronicle
July 20th, 2010
Consumer protections have diminished significantly since the California Public Utilities Commission deregulated phone rates in 2006 and adopted a new "hands-off" approach toward telecommunications, according to a report released by the Senate Office of Oversight and Outcomes.
‘Warm lines’ for 911 calls face dismantling
by John Howard, Capitol Weekly
July 8th, 2010
by John Howard, Capitol Weekly
July 8th, 2010
TURN criticizes a bill that would cut off emergency access to emergency phone calls, especially since it's sailing through the state senate without debate.
Phone giants' proposal to drop some 911 lines strongly backed by California lawmakers
by Marc Lifsher, Los Angeles Times
July 7th, 2010
by Marc Lifsher, Los Angeles Times
July 7th, 2010
Bill would end a requirement to maintain home lines capable only of calling a 911 center even after service is cut. Backers call it a waste of resources. An opponent says his side is being outspent.
'Warm lines' targeted by telephone companies
by Capitol Weekly Staff , Capitol Weekly
June 22nd, 2010
by Capitol Weekly Staff , Capitol Weekly
June 22nd, 2010
TURN opposes Curren Price's SB-1375 because tens of thousands of 911 emergency calls are made on "warm lines" each month.
State Sen. Mark Leno takes aim at PG&E for bankrolling Prop. 16
by Dana Hull, San Jose Mercury News
June 14th, 2010
by Dana Hull, San Jose Mercury News
June 14th, 2010
"PG&E's whole campaign for Prop. 16 was based on lies, and the biggest lie of all was that ratepayers didn't pay for it," said Mindy Spatt of the consumer advocacy group TURN. "They did." Senator Leno's bill would address that.
Leno & TURN team up for a “ratepayers' right to vote act”
by Rebecca Bowe, San Francisco Bay Guardian
April 20th, 2010
by Rebecca Bowe, San Francisco Bay Guardian
April 20th, 2010
New law would require PG&E to get a 2/3 vote from ratepayers to spend their money on political campaigns.
California's New Bill Boosts Solar Net-Metering For Consumers
by Harry Tournemille , Energy Boom
February 23rd, 2010
by Harry Tournemille , Energy Boom
February 23rd, 2010
An explanation of the solar bill recently passed in California with quotes from TURN attorney Matt Freedman.
Legislative Update: Fall 2009
TURN sponsored legislation, the Ratepayer Protection Act (SB 695) was signed into law by the Governor in October.
Ratepayer Protection Act: Sometimes consumers, utilities really do cooperate
by Mark Toney and Dana Appling, Capitol Weekly
October 22nd, 2009
by Mark Toney and Dana Appling, Capitol Weekly
October 22nd, 2009
TURN executive director Mark Toney and Dana Appling, director of the CPUC's Division of Ratepayer Advocates, explain why the recently signed Ratepayer Protection Act will help all Californians.
Legislative Update: Spring 2009
TURN’s legislative agenda reflects the combined goals of lower bills and meaningful protections for both people and the planet. To accomplish these goals, TURN is advocating in Sacramento for new laws that will protect people’s privacy, avoid utility shut-offs, increase utility purchases of renewable energy and create better, more cost-effective energy efficiency programs in California.
