DEFENDING DEMOCRACY—Florida PIRG Democracy and Consumer Advocate Brad Ashwell (right) discusses the Save the Voters' Voice campaign with Florida AFL-CIO Communications Director Rich Templin (left).

Florida PIRG Urges End Of America’s Oil Habit

Florida’s consumers will pay over $5 million more than they should at the gas pump in 2006 because of short-sighted automobile fuel economy policies, according to a report released on Dec. 21 by the Florida PIRG Education Fund.

The report, “America Idles,” found that, had President Bush increased the fuel economy of cars and light trucks to 40 mpg in 2001, consumers and the U.S. economy would now be reaping the benefi ts. Although the policy would not be fi nalized, more effi cient cars would already be entering the market.

“The best way to keep gas prices down and to reduce our oil dependence is to make cars that go further on a gallon of gas,” said Florida PIRG Field Associate Adam Rivera.

“Because of the unprecedented devastation of this past hurricane season, the Florida congressional delegation came closer than ever to allowing drilling off of our treasured coast,” added Rivera. “By promoting increased fuel economy standards, the Florida delegation can address Florida’s gas supply problems without ever having to consider a spurious solution that could jeopardize our beaches.”

Legislature To Debate Identity Theft Bill

STANDING UP FOR CONSUMERS—Florida PIRG Consumer And Democracy Advocate Brad Ashwell appears on Channel 27 News urging lawmakers to take action that will control how much cell phone companies can charge in early termination fees.

According to the Federal Trade Commission’s 2005 report on fraud and identity theft, Florida ranks sixth in the nation in the number of identity theft victims per 100,000 population. In 2004 there were more than 16,000 victims in Florida. Florida needs to crack down on the data dealers that leave financial information vulnerable to identity thieves.

State Rep. Sandra Adams (Oviedo) filed a Florida PIRG-backed bill that aims to provide potential victims of identity theft with a much needed protection. If passed, HB 37 will empower consumers to prevent identity thieves from accessing their credit reports. This is an important step toward stopping identity theft before it happens.

Security freeze laws like HB 37 ensure that identity thieves attempting to create fraudulent accounts are denied due to creditors’ inability to examine the credit histories. Then, when a consumer decides that they would like to apply for credit, they can temporarily, or permanently, lift the freeze by using a secret PIN number. Florida PIRG is urging the Legislature to adopt HB 37.

Florida PIRG Works To Defend Voters’ Voices

Florida citizens’ right to vote directly on important issues through the ballot initiative is at risk. The Legislature has already put a measure on the 2006 ballot that would increase the number of votes needed to approve ballot initiatives from 50 percent to 60 percent of the electorate.

And, other proposed bills would And, other proposed bills would make it even more difficult for citizens to participate in the democratic process. Sen. Daniel Webster (Winter Garden) and state Rep. David Simmons (Altamonte Springs), among other politicians, are calling for a complete overhaul of the constitution, potentially eliminating amendments previously adopted by overwhelming margins.

A bipartisan defense is necessary to preserve the rights of Florida citizens. Florida PIRG is working with the Save the Voters’ Voice coalition to ensure that lawmakers are not able to eliminate or undermine the ability of Floridians to amend their own state Constitution.