2002

• Worked with CFA to change state laws that restrict consumer choice in buying and servicing new cars.

• Cosponsored with the Boston Federal Reserve Bank, the FDIC and Mass. Attorney General's Office: "A Consumer's Survival Kit," a day-long conference for consumer professionals & direct service providers.

2001

• Joined the NACAA as a "non-profit associate member".

• The third edition of CAR SMART was published in February 2001 with up-to-date material and links -- 30,000 copies of the 88 page booklet were printed for free distribution to the public. The entire text of CAR SMART, has been posted on the Internet.
The Automobile Resources on the Internet, a compilation of Internet auto-related links listed in the appendix of the booklet, are a most handy resource for consumers.

2000

• Committed to a three year grant project awarded by the Consumer Federation of America Foundation to promote The Firearms Safety and Consumer Protection Act. This federal legislation seeks to regulate guns as a consumer product and hold the gun industry to the same health and safety regulation as virtually all other products sold in America.

• Partnered National Consumer Week with the Boston Federal Reserve Bank, the FDIC and the Mass. Attorney General's Office to conduct a one-day conference on e-shopping, e-trading and consumer-smart use of the Internet.

1999

• Completed the process to establish a 501c(3) offshoot called the Massachusetts Consumers' Council.  We can now seek grants and funding contributions for educational projects.

• Completed a second grant cycle to promote the Energy Star Label and the value of energy efficiency products and lighting and heating systems.

• MCC joined with the CFA to oppose the transfer of Cable TV license franchises in Massachusetts from MediaOne to AT&T without a commitment to OPEN ACCESS for all Internet service providers.  We are urging the FCC to reverse its "hands off" policy and establish an open access requirement.

• Spoke in support of the major piece of legislation filed in Massachusetts regarding consumer privacy.  Considerable work is still needed on it but as filed it is the most comprehensive and consumer friendly attempt to address privacy concerns in the entire US.

1998

• Cosponsored a conference with the Boston Federal Reserve Bank, the FDIC and the Mass. Attorney General's Office on credit cards for 100 consumer protection professionals and other public advocates.

• Published a new & expanded, 72 page version of CAR SMART, A Consumer Guide to Buying, Leasing and Repairing a Car in Massachusetts.

• Committed to promote the Energy Star Program of the EPA as part of the partnership with Consumer Federation of America's Consumers' Research Council.  See the following article for more information: Search for the Star!