Consumer issues

Spring and the Summer-Grade Gasoline Price Bump

For many, the sight of a bird’s eggs hatching or tulips blooming signifies the arrival of spring. Historically, spring is also the time for rising gasoline prices. Over the last 10 years, the monthly average retail price for regular-grade gasoline has increased by an average 7 cents a gallon from April to May. In EIA’s latest Short-Term Energy Outlook, the average gasoline wholesale price for May is projected to increase by 10 cents per gallon from last month.    » read more »

05/08/2008 -- Washington, DC — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senators Jeff Bingaman, Max Baucus, Charles Schumer, Byron Dorgan, Maria Cantwell and Bernie Sanders held a press conference today to unveil the Consumer-First Energy Act of 2008, a bill that addresses the root causes of high gas prices.

Gas prices: Photo by Todd Lappin (CC)

Seven years of the Bush Administration’s disastrous energy policies have enriched Big Oil and market speculators at the expense of American consumers. Democrats are committed to providing relief to consumers and strengthening our economic, energy and national security.    » read more »

May 8, 2008 -- (Washington, DC) - Today House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) and Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) introduced H.R. 5994, the "Internet Freedom and Nondiscrimination Act of 2008," to establish an antitrust remedy for anticompetitive and discriminatory practices by broadband service providers.

The legislation requires internet service providers (ISPs) to interconnect with the facilities of other network providers on a reasonable and nondiscriminatory basis. It also requires them to operate their network in a reasonable and nondiscriminatory manner so that all content, applications and services are treated the same and have an equal opportunity to reach consumers.    » read more »

123 Illinois Sex Offenders from MySpace Discovered on Facebook

May 8, 2008 -- Chicago - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced today that Facebook has agreed to make key changes to its social networking site that will better protect children from predators and inappropriate content.

No talking about Facebook: Photo by Alpha (CC)

Madigan joined the attorneys general of 49 other states and the District of Columbia in the agreement resulting in actions by Facebook similar to those MySpace agreed to in January 2008.    » read more »

WASHINGTON (Wednesday, May 7, 2008) – The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing later this month to examine the rising price of crude oil and its effect on gas prices across the country, Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) announced today.

Giant 5 mpg SUV: Photo by Financial Aid Podcast (CC)    » read more »

May 7, 2008 -- Nevada Senator Harry Reid joined other Democratic senators at a press conference this week to unveil the Consumer-First Energy Act of 2008, a bill that addresses the root causes of high gas prices. Seven years of the Bush Administration’s disastrous energy policies have enriched Big Oil and market speculators at the expense of American consumers.

“Nevadans are paying more and more every day to fill up their gas tanks, yet Bush Republicans only offer more of the same failed energy policies that brought us to this point,” Reid said.    » read more »

May 6, 2008 -- The Internal Revenue Service has begun giving qualifying taxpayers rebate checks. And some retailers are competing to get your rebate check by offering to sell you gift cards. What is the incentive to buy a gift card? Stores are offering gift cards worth 10%-17% more than your rebate check.

However, West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw warns consumers about purchasing one of these gift cards. Many of the retailers require you to use the entire rebate check to purchase the gift card.

"If you put all the money towards a gift card, you won’t have any money left to spend at another store, pay off debt or save," said Attorney General McGraw.    » read more »

Alaskans Feel Pinch of High Costs

May 7, 2008, Anchorage, Alaska - Alaska Governor Sarah Palin released the following statement as the price of Alaska North Slope crude oil reached a record level of $123.53 a barrel.

Trans-Alaska pipeline: Photo by rickz (CC)

“Alaskans are feeling the pinch of high energy costs. The state treasury is swelling while the family checkbook is evaporating. As prices continue to rise, we cannot wait for medium- and long-term solutions to come into place.”    » read more »

N.J. Sen. Says OPEC Production Limits Inflate Gas Prices, Violate International Trade Laws

May 5, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Late last week, U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) introduced legislation to force action against the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) for its anti-competitive practices and illegal export quotas on oil, which ultimately lead to higher gas prices here at home.

OPEC building, Vienna: Photo by Spino73 (CC)    » read more »

May 02, 2008 -- SEATTLE – Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna today announced another win in the state’s fight to protect consumers from online fraud. A King County Superior Court judge found that Internet affiliate advertisers Securelink Networks, LLC, and NJC Softwares, LCC, and their officers violated Washington’s consumer protection and spyware laws while marketing registry-cleaner software.

Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna    » read more »

Attorney General Says ‘Blow' Energy Drink Glorifying Drug Culture

May 2, 2008 -- Chicago – Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is demanding that a Las Vegas company discontinue its cocaine-themed marketing and sale of an energy drink mix that glorifies drug culture and has raised serious health concerns due to its high caffeine content.

Blow drink mix: Photo courtesy Illinois Attorney General's office

In a letter sent earlier this week to the President of Kingpin Concepts, Inc., Attorney General Madigan demanded that the company immediately cease all marketing and sales of the energy drink called Blow in the state of Illinois.    » read more »

"This isn't an idea designed to get you through the summer, it's designed to get them through an election."

April 29, 2008 -- **Prepared remarks provided below**

Winston-Salem, NC - Speaking in Winston-Salem today, Senator Barack Obama said that the federal gas tax holiday proposed by his opponents is a gimmick that stands in stark relief to the substantive proposals he's made to bring relief to hardworking Americans.

Barack Obama: Photo by Barack Obama campaign    » read more »

WASHINGTON, April 24 – Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said today that outrageously high oil and gas prices that Vermonters and Americans are paying constitute a national emergency that requires a bold response from the White House and Congress.

Gas prices: Photo by Ewen Roberts (CC)    » read more »

April 24, 2008 -- (ALBUQUERQUE) --- New Mexico Attorney General Gary King today announced a $4.4 million grant that will ultimately help consumers make the safest and most effective prescription drug choices. The money gives Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports, the assistance needed to help give consumers free and unbiased information when sorting through the confusing prescription drug market.

Prescription drugs: Photo by Mr. T in DC (CC)    » read more »

Help Secure Maryland's Energy Future; O’Malley Signs BGE Settlement Worth Nearly $2 Billion for Maryland Ratepayers

BALTIMORE, MD -- April 24, 2008 -- Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley today joined Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., House Speaker Michael E. Busch, Lieutenant Governor Anthony G. Brown, to sign legislation to protect Maryland’s environment and the health of the Chesapeake Bay, and help secure Maryland’s energy future.

Chesapeake Bay: Photo by Big Mike 42    » read more »