Senate Minority Leader Robert Brown (D-Macon) was named a “Friend of the Consumer” by Georgia Watch for battling the interests of big business and speaking up for the average Georgian. Sen. Brown worked in opposition of Senate Bill 31, an accelerated rate increase imposed by Georgia Power that will raise monthly power bills for residential customers in order to finance the expansion at Plant Vogtle, a nuclear power plant near Augusta. Read more

By Angela Speir Phelps

Most Georgians realize the impact energy bills have on their family’s budget, especially at this time of year when our natural gas bills rise. But what many may not realize is that last year, the Governor’s Office of Consumer Affairs completely defunded the Consumer’s Utility Counsel (CUC), a branch of the executive office that spoke up for average Georgians during the billion dollar utility cases being decided by the Public Service Commission (PSC). Read more

By Jeannine Malone

One in eight home loans is past due and on the verge of foreclosure in Georgia. Empty houses are falling into disrepair, homeowners are facing lower property values and families are turning up homeless, scrambling for shelter. Read more

By Matt Bouillon and Danny Orrock

Georgia Watch is keeping a keen eye on Atlanta Oculoplastic Surgery, P.C. v. Betty & Bruce Nestlehutt at the State Supreme Court that is challenging the cap on non-economic damages in the 2005 tort reform law. Non-economic damages are appropriate in cases where the jury wishes to compensate the injured party for harm that goes beyond lost wages or work opportunities. Pain and suffering, loss of normal marital relations (consortium), and physical injury or disfigurement are all non-monetary losses that fit in this category. Not surprisingly, amounts of non-economic damages can vary widely among cases and jurisdictions. Read more

By Beth Malone and Danny Orrock

The flooded streets and damaged homes resulting from the storms that pummeled the state in September should serve as a wake-up call to us all. Some of you may be asking: Why didn’t I know my property was vulnerable to flooding? Why had I never thought to purchase flood insurance? Many of us now know whether or not to purchase flood insurance, however countless more remain in the dark. Read more

Senate Majority Leader Tommie Williams (R-Lyons) was named “Legislator of the Year” today by Georgia Watch for battling the interests of big business and speaking up for the average Georgian. Sen. Williams worked closely with Georgia Watch to assure pro-consumer provisions were implemented into Senate Bill 31, the financing plan from Georgia Power that will raise monthly power bills for residential customers to expand Plant Vogtle, a nuclear power plant near Augusta. Read more

Atlanta Business Chronicle, December 4, 2009
By Dave Williams

At first blush, it might seem that Angela Speir Phelps made a radical career change this year when she moved from utility regulator to consumer advocate. Full article.

Georgia currently ranks 7th in the nation for foreclosures. The following is a list of a few other startling facts that have resulted from the housing crisis. Read more

1. Number of loans already lost to foreclosure: 1.5 million

2. Projected foreclosures on all types of loans during the next 5 years: 13 million
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General intent:

SB 57 addresses financial incentives that brokers and others use to guide borrowers into unsuitable loans. The bill helps prevent factors that contributed to meltdown in the subprime market. Read more

Georgia Watch hosted a rally with clergy leaders from across the Metro area on Friday December 4th. Thanks to all those who came out to help advocate for the end of inappropriate home loan lending. High-interest loans with careless and abusive provisions are the major cause of the current housing crisis. Irresponsible lending needs to end with common sense reform and Georgia families need to stay in their homes! Read more