February 24, 2011

We here at Georgia Watch recently became aware of a great resource for homeowners seeking an honest, efficient home contractor. The National Center for the Prevention of Home Improvement Fraud (NCPHIF) is a nonprofit based in Atlanta that works to eliminate home contractor fraud. We spoke with NCPHIF executive director Phae Howard to learn more about this increasingly prevalent issue.

What is home improvement fraud and what got you involved in helping consumers avoid it?
Howard: My grandmother was financially and emotionally victimized by an unscrupulous contractor. I don’t know how much money she lost, but I absolutely remember the pain in her face. That will be with me always. After years of hearing stories about people being taken advantage of, I realized that, like my grandmother, many homeowners are not equipped with the information and resources to avoid becoming a victim of home improvement or home repair contractor fraud. That is why it is my personal goal, and the mission of NCPHIF, to arm potential victims with necessary tools to avoid similar situations. Read more

February 18, 2011 

Last month, the Public Service Commission voted to release $4 million from a special fund to help low-income seniors pay their winter natural gas bills.

Low-income seniors not yet signed up for the Atlanta Gas Light senior citizen discount have until today – February 18th – to contact their marketer to sign up so they can receive the new funds. The grant money is limited to those who already receive the senior citizen discount on their natural gas bill.

To be eligible for the grant money, the following must apply:

* Applicant must be 65 years of age or older
* Applicant must receive less than $14,355 in income per year
* Natural gas account must be in applicant’s name
* Applicant must be already signed up for the AGL senior citizen discount
* If applicant has already received assistance this winter through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), he/she is ineligible for grant money

For more information about the qualifications for this aid, click here.

February 15, 2011

A recently filed bill poses a real threat to the consumer protections that exist in the Georgia market for health insurance. House Bill 47, which was introduced by Representative Matt Ramsey (R-Peachtree City), would permit out of state insurance policies to be sold in Georgia. By allowing out of state insurance policies, we’re substituting the laws that our legislature has enacted and our insurance commissioner enforces with regulations from another state where Georgia voters have no say.

Read more

February 10, 2010

Georgia Watch Deputy Director Danny Orrock speaks out in today’s AJC for more transparency and accountability at Georgia’s EMCs. Check out the opinion piece here. Read more

February 9, 2011

An important new resource is now available for Georgia’s consumers.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), established by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, has launched its website. The new agency sets out to make financial transactions more understandable for the average consumer and help protect them from the most unscrupulous lenders. To check out the website, click here.

The agency and its website are still a work in progress. A consumer response center will eventually be made available, as well as a dedicated education resource center. For now, some basic resources can be found on the CFPB website here. Consumers can also  submit comments and questions related to the agency here.

Read more

January 27, 2011

We here at Georgia Watch are concerned about recent attempts by state leaders to scale back vital health care programs for our most vulnerable citizens at a time when they are critically needed.

The move began with Arizona Governor Brewer’s request to the federal government for a waiver from stability protections that prevent states from restricting eligibility levels for the Medicaid program. In response, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal’s spokesperson was quoted by Bloomberg news organization earlier today that while the Governor has not offered specific cuts, he “would happily work on such a proposal.”

“Rolling back eligibility among those already enrolled in our state Medicaid program essentially would strip medical coverage for those who are the youngest, oldest, and the sickest within our state,” stated Joann Yoon, Associate Policy Director for Child Health with Voices for Georgia’s Children.

“Medicaid especially is essential at a time like the present when many face unemployment, which also means a loss of employer-sponsored coverage.” Read more

January 20, 2011

Made up of a broad coalition of watchdog and educational groups, the Georgia Alliance for Ethics Reform is urging Georgia lawmakers to take further steps to strengthen the state’s ethics laws. The Alliance includes Georgia Watch, Common Cause, the state chapter of the Tea Party Patriots, and former gubernatorial candidate Ray Boyd.

“The people of this state want action now, and the fact that such a broad alliance as this one has formed, is evidence of that,” said former Georgia House Minority Leader and current Alliance member Bob Irvin. Read more

January 18, 2011

After a motion from Public Service Commissioner Doug Everett and a formal request from Georgia Watch, the Public Service Commission has voted unanimously to release $5 million from a special fund to help low-income seniors pay their energy bills in wake of extreme weather conditions.

Four million dollars will be credited to qualifying Atlanta Gas Light Company customers.  The money will show up as a line item credit on AGL gas bills. The Salvation Army will receive the remaining funds to disburse to people in need across the state.

“We applaud the PSC for acting quickly to address a situation that has reached emergency levels,” said Georgia Watch executive director Angela Speir Phelps, a former public service commissioner herself. “The recession has hit consumers hard and record-low temperatures are exacerbating an already dire situation.”
Read more

January 16, 2011

Georgia Watch is calling upon the Public Service Commission to disburse funds from the Universal Service Fund (USF) so the state can assist a greater number of cash-strapped natural gas customers struggling to keep their heat on through the ongoing severe weather conditions.

‘“At a time when temperatures are at an all-time low and people’s homes are in desperate need of heating, the PSC needs to act quickly and generously so that the most vulnerable Georgians aren’t left out in the cold,” Georgia Watch Consumer Energy Program director Clare McGuire said. Read more

January 11, 2010

Banks aren’t the only place to put your money.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution’s coverage regarding the disappearance of free checking at large banks (for article, click here) might lead Georgians to think that they’ve only got two choices: jump through a bunch of hoops, or get gouged with fees every month. Georgia Watch would like to remind consumers that they’ve got lots of options. Read more

December 21, 2010

Today, the Public Service Commission voted to allow Georgia Power a cumulative rate increase of $2.1 billion over the next three years, an amount that will raise monthly electric bills for the average residential ratepayer by more than $10 per month in 2011, and increase incrementally to over $15 per month by 2013.

The 4-1 decision permits a first year increase of $562 million, a second year increase of $752 million, and a third year increase of $844 million. By 2013, annual electric bills will go up by more than $175.

“Commissioners turned a deaf ear to Georgians who overwhelmingly said now is not the time for a rate increase,” said Georgia Watch executive director Angela Speir Phelps, a former public service commissioner herself. “This decision reflects a real disconnect between Commissioners and the financial reality businesses and families are facing in this economy.” Read more