by Richard Holober, Consumer Federation of California, CNBC.com
California voters rejected Proposition 33, an initiative placed on the ballot by billionaire George Joseph, owner of Mercury Insurance. Led by Consumer Watchdog, opponents came out of nowhere to stop Mercury Insurance’s attempt to lure voters into deregulating automobile insurance. Outspent 70 to 1, we overcame a $17.5 million campaign of deception from Mercury’s George Joseph. Continue reading
By Marc Lifsher, Los Angeles Times
A Los Angeles insurance executive’s drive to boost his company’s fortunes by seeking authority to offer a new auto coverage discount got trounced by voters.
Proposition 33, bankrolled by Mercury General Corp. Chairman George Joseph, lost with 45.4% of the vote to opposition of 54.6% with all California precincts reporting. Continue reading
by Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times
George Joseph must think that the old saw defining insanity as doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result doesn’t apply to him — or at least that it’s amenable to tweaking. Continue reading
by Jon Healey, Los Angeles Times
The campaign in favor of Proposition 33 has been so consistently misleading, it’s almost pointless to keep criticizing the measure’s supporters for warping the facts. Nevertheless, an advertisement Monday in favor of the measure makes a point that bears rebutting before voters head to the polls. Continue reading
by Richard Holober, California Progress Report
In a stunning admission, billionaire George Joseph stated that his company, Mercury Insurance, does not offer its own customers the “persistence discount” that Proposition 33 promises all Californians would receive by “shopping their discount” around if the initiative is approved. Mr. Joseph has poured $17 million into the Prop 33 campaign. Continue reading
by Richard Holober, Consumer Federation of California, Sacramento Bee
Forty newspaper editorial boards oppose Proposition 33, an auto insurance rate hike proposal funded by billionaire George Joseph, owner of Mercury Insurance.
Editorial pages decry Prop 33 as an abuse of the ballot by a billionaire to benefit his company at the expense of millions of consumers. They warn that Proposition 33′s premium rate increases would make insurance less affordable, resulting in more uninsured motorists on our roads. Continue reading
by Richard Holober, Consumer Federation of California, Herald Online
Leading college student newspaper editorials urge a NO vote on Proposition 33, a measure that threatens graduates with massive auto insurance rate surcharges. Continue reading
by Richard Holober, California Progress Report
The Yes on Proposition 33 campaign reported yesterday another contribution of $500,000 from George Joseph, billionaire owner of Mercury Insurance. This brings Mr. Joseph’s total contributions to the Yes on Proposition 33 campaign to $16.9 million. Continue reading
by Dave Snyder, California Bicycle Coalition, California Progress Report
Why would a bicycle advocacy group oppose Proposition 33, an automobile insurance initiative? Because if Proposition 33 passes, those of us who have found a way to avoid car insurance costs would be punished by paying higher rates if we choose to own and insure a car again. Continue reading
by Congressman John Garamendi, Sacramento Business Journal
California Congressman John Garamendi, the state’s first elected Insurance Commissioner and former Lt. Governor, issued the following statement today concerning Proposition 33, the auto insurance initiative on next Tuesday’s ballot sponsored by George Joseph, the Chairman of Mercury Insurance Company: Continue reading