Privacy
Our small slice of inaugural history
I can’t tell you what Michelle Obama wore to the inauguration, but here are a few photos of the million-plus inaugural crowd…
Jan 20, 2009Consumer Watchdog
Providing an effective voice for American consumers in an era when special interests dominate public discourse, government and politics. Non-partisan.
Articles by Consumer Watchdog
Energy
Boxer Asks California AG to Look into Alleged Market Manipulation
U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer has asked California Attorney General Jerry Brown to investigate whether Shell Oil, in suspending crude deliveries to the…
Jan 19, 2009
Insurance
Time To Clean Up Wasteful Patronage
This issue has arisen most recently with appointments to the state's Integrated Waste Management Board. Didn't know that board existed, did you?…
Jan 18, 2009
Privacy
California Limits Politicians’ Use Of Funds Raised For Ballot Measures
Such money must be spent on specific propositions and can't be used as 'slush funds' to promote the politicians. The rules follow…
Jan 16, 2009
Energy
Meltdown 101: Why Gas Prices Rise While Oil Drops
Consumer Watchdog says production cuts at refineries in California, for example, have far exceeded the state's drop in consumption. "The refinery cutbacks…
Jan 16, 2009New Rules Rein in Unregulated Spending by Elected Officials, Mandate Greater Disclosure for Ballot Initiative Expenditures
UPDATE: After receiving clarification from the FPPC, Consumer Watchdog's concerns about public disclosure under the new regulations were eliminated. All new information…
Jan 15, 2009
Privacy
Arnold’s unraveling state
California is such a mess that that the state's webcast cut off (on my L.A. computer, anyway) halfway through Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's…
Jan 15, 2009
Privacy
Universal health care = Major new jobs, say nurses
Among the biggest proponents of a Medicare-style universal health care plan is the California Nurses Association. Since no one else has wrapped…
Jan 14, 2009
Insurance
Schwarzenegger Accused Of Doing Bidding Of Big Business
Developers have long sought to weaken CEQA, which they contend delays construction and increases costs. Developers and others in the construction industry…
Jan 14, 2009
Healthcare
Follow the (insurance lobby’s) money
In the race to influence health care reform, the insurance industry and major corporations just made a big score in the toy…
Jan 14, 2009
Privacy
Burnham President Receives A Warning
Letter He Wrote Triggered Complaint, Investigation Although the letter did not prompt the institute staff to reconsider its decision, the nonprofit Consumer…
Jan 13, 2009
Privacy
Burnham Chief Acted Improperly On Stem Cell Grant
Burnham Institute president John Reed improperly tried to influence a grant decision by California's $3 billion stem cell program, a state ethics…
Jan 13, 2009
Accountability
CIRM Board Member Gets Ethics Warning Letter, But Not Fine, Over Conflict Of Interest
This ends an investigation that was launched over a year ago at the request of CIRM watchdog, John Simpson. “I hope Dr.…
Jan 13, 2009
Insurance
PUBLIC OPTION FACTSHEET
President Barack Obama promised to offer consumers a "public option" to the private insurance market. Giving every American the option of joining…
Jan 13, 2009
Energy
Gas Prices In California Jump Despite Oil’s Drop
The average price soars 25 cents to $1.988 a gallon in less than a month, while the U.S. average rises 10 cents…
Jan 13, 2009
Privacy
Calif. Panel Warns Stem Cell Agency Board Member
The California Fair Political Practices Commission warned Dr. John Reed in an official letter that his effort to appeal the denial of…
Jan 13, 2009
Energy
Don’t Get Used To Cheap Oil, Analysts Say
Another part of the problem, said Judy Dugan, research director for the nonprofit Consumer Watchdog, is that oil companies didn't invest enough…
Jan 12, 2009Ethics Panel Probe Finds Stem Cell Board Member Violated Ethical Standards
Warning Issued to Burnham Institute’s John Reed After Consumer Watchdog Complaint Santa Monica, CA -- California’s ethics commission has found that a…
Jan 12, 2009