As the legislature ended its business for the year in the early morning hours, legislative leaders proclaimed a prolific progressive session.  Not so if you care about consumer protection.
 
Key public interest causes were abandoned because of the power of the usual moneyed interest groups and the dependency of state house politicians on them.
 

As the legislature begins its final weeks a critical patient safety measure is awaiting its fate.

Senator Jerry Hill and patient safety advocates have worked for years to ensure patients have the right to know if their doctor is on probation for violations that place patient safety at risk.

Hill’s plan would inform patients if their doctor is on probation for cases involving sexual misconduct, criminal conviction involving their practice, or drug or alcohol abuse that affects their patients.

Participating in a press conference yesterday in downtown LA, I watched as Jane Fowler faced the TV cameras and teared up over the re-opening of Sempra’s giant Aliso Canyon gas reserve next door to where she lives.

The site of the biggest methane well blowout in U.S. history forced her to flee, and the now-capped well is still leaking methane that makes her sick.