Consumer advocate Max Weiner is the founder of CEPA, the Consumer Education Protection Association, which he began in 1965. He is also the founder of the Consumer Party, which became a ballot status party in 1976, and has since fielded candidates in mayoral and other local elections, making it Philadelphia's "third party." Weiner advocates against rate hikes in public works, and is currently fighting against a proposed $89 million PGW rate hike, and the recent proposal to increase SEPTA fares. Weiner has also worked as a teacher, an accountant, and a broker.