April 8, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Consumer advocates and major newspapers across the state are warning voters about deceptive arguments for a ballot measure, Proposition 17, backed by an insurance company. Mercury Corp. paid roughly $2.2 million for a professional signature gathering service to qualify the measure for the ballot and was responsible for 98% of funding for the “Yes on 17” campaign.

The Los Angeles Times observes that the initiative “would legalize practices Mercury has been fined for.” State regulators fined the insurer for violating Proposition 103, California’s landmark consumer protection law, by inappropriately cancelling policies and limiting access to preferable policies and rates.