CA Fights Against Poor Health and Bulging Waistlines

As results of America’s Fattest Cities are being released, California is taking action to fight against climbing to the top spot.  It’s being reported that an alarming 44.4% of children in Mississippi, America’s “fattest state” are obese.  When I read that, I wondered how such a shocking statistic was possible for a single state.  I suppose CA leaders asked themselves the same thing too, because as of July 1, three new diet laws are in effect in California.

Starting July 1, all restaurants will be required disclose nutritional information in either indoor or outdoor menus, or in the form of a brochure that will be offered to customers.  In 2011, restaurants will be required to disclose nutritional information in all three forms.

Starting July 1, the current ban on trans fat has been extended to include food offered in school vending machines and by vendors on school.  Trans fat has already been banned in school cafeterias.

Lastly, while soda has already been banned at elementary and junior high schools, the new legislation also includes a soda ban on high schools.  The new restriction on drinks also restricts schools from selling drinks with added sweeteners, and whole milk.  This will hopefully encourage students to gravitate towards healthier choices and live an overall healthier life.

Whether or not this new legislation will make a true difference is still up for debate.  In some ways, I think those who make poor diet choices may still continue the same lifestyle, and students can still easily access their favorite trans-fat laced snacks and unhealthy drinks outside of school.  However, there are also plenty others who will think twice when the nutritional information is laid out in front of them, and students who have become used to drinking and eating healthier due to restrictions on campus will naturally carry the same healthier habits outside of school.  In any case, it is important to make sure that California stays away from becoming one of America’s “fattest states” and hopefully this legislation helps the cause.

-debs

Obama’s New Credit Card Legislation

Editor’s note: This is an in-depth expansion of RT’s summary this issue.

I’ll be first to admit that when I see a headline about a new legislation being signed, or a new law in effect, I often don’t think that I will feel much change or that it won’t affect me directly.  For example, I hardly think that this new credit card legislation will make me use or pay off my credit cards any differently pre and post legislation.  In order to try and dispel that way of thinking, I’ve dug deeper and uncovered some changes that are being made which will affect you and me.  This law does a lot to protect us, but will likely introduce new credit card practices to be aware of.

First of all, what does this legislation consist of?

There are a handful of new restrictions on credit card issuers, as well as a number of things that will go in affect that I assume are aimed to protect consumers..  For example, they cannot raise interest rates in the first year (with a few exceptions – ie if the minimum payment is not received within 60 days.  However the rate must be returned to the original rate if payment is received on time for 6 months), or on existing balances (also with a few exceptions).  They cannot charge over the limit fees (again with a few exceptions).   They are also not permitted to raise interest rates just because credit scores have dropped, or bills were paid late on other accounts.  Penalty fees must be reasonable, and a credit card company must notify you about APR increases 45 days in advance.  Payments received by 5pm have to now be recognized to be on time (so credit card companies can’t make up their own deadlines).  A cosigner will be required for anyone under 21 getting a credit card.  Credit card issuers are no longer allowed to offer gifts to students in exchange for applying for a credit card.  This legislation is designed to set some boundaries to prevent card issuers from slapping consumers with last minute fees haphazardly.

How will this affect us?
While this legislation is designed to protect us, it will also likely “punish” responsible credit card holders.  If you are one that consistently carries a balance, has issues paying bills on time, and is a consistent target for companies to tack on extra fees, then this will help you.  It eliminates a lot of potential for “shady” practices by credit card companies.  However, because of this, they will also have to look in other ways to compensate for the money they will be losing since they cannot raise interest rates and apply fees as freely.  Now more than ever, the good customers who carry no balance and pay their bills on time will be seen as the ones who don’t bring business.  That means that we’ll probably have to prepare for annual fees, higher rates, and lesser rewards ( rewards are my favorite!).  It will be more difficult for people to start building credit early (because a cosigner is required to get a credit card before age 21).  If a credit card I currently own decides to require an annual fee, I will probably cancel the card and dent my credit score, which is unfortunate.  There are just as many opposed to this new legislation as there are for this legislation.  And there is a lot of information to absorb and I’ve just touched upon a small percentage on it today.  In any case, I’d pay attention to any changes in your credit card terms when they start coming in – if it means new annual fees, higher interest rates, make sure there are no surprises.  Most of the law will go in effect February 2010, however there are a couple of things that will go into effect in August 2009.

-debs.

New Credit Card Legislation

In case you haven’t heard the news, President Obama signed a piece of legislation last week that calls for credit card companies to afford its current customers a bit more leeway. Here’s a quick breakdown of what it does:

• A card’s rates cannot be increased because a cardholder is late on a separate debt.
• Credit card companies must notify you 45 in advance of any rate hikes.
• You must be at least 60 days late on payments for them to raise your rates.
• After six months of dutiful servitude (on-time payments) they have to set your rates back to what they originally were if you received a rate hike due to late payments.*
• If you’re under the age of 21, you must prove that you can pay your debts yourself or get the card co-signed by a parent/guardian.**

*I’m skeptical that they’ll actually revert your rates proactively. Most likely you’re going to have to call in after six months to “remind” your credit card company that you’ve been a good boy or girl for half a year.

** Make of that what you will. Maybe the government wants to forcibly mitigate the credit card companies’ risk? I’m not sure why this part needed to be written into law.

The new rules take effect in February of 2010.

-RT