In The News
Stem cell agency’s conflicted board
One of the the problems with the California stem cell agency's board is that it is fraught with conflicts of interest. It…
May 8, 2008Consumer Watchdog
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Articles by Consumer Watchdog
Insurance
103 exposes costs lower than insurers claim
Our legal team was in San Francisco this week fighting another unjustified insurance rate hike - this time a 6% earthquake insurance…
May 8, 2008
Privacy
Major Repairs Needed at UC President’s Residence
Fixing foundation, water leaks may cost up to $9 million. The stately Kensington mansion that has been home to University of California…
May 8, 2008
Privacy
Foot in mouth disease
Here's what the Capitol Alert reported outgoing Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez said at his last press conference yesterday. ...
May 7, 2008
Privacy
Stem Cell Grants Being Doled Out
UCLA, USC and UC Irvine are among the research centers getting $227 million to build laboratories. California's voter-created stem cell institute is…
May 7, 2008
Energy
Chevron Commits to ‘Alt’ Energy
Chevron Corp. will spend $2.5 billion on alternative and renewable energy technologies, part of its push to develop new kinds of energy,…
May 7, 2008
Energy
Taxing Oil Profits: Proceed With Caution
Politicians are dying to get at more of Big Oil's billions, but analysts are torn about what that will do to prices…
May 6, 2008
Energy
Tired of Paying Through the Nose, Americans Try Praying at the Pump
WASHINGTON, DC -- At a Shell gas station in Washington, Rocky Twyman and an unusual group of activists were mad as hell…
May 5, 2008
Insurance
Examining ‘Emergency’ Insurance Regulations
“Socialized car insurance.” That's what insurers said would happen if California's Proposition 103 passed in November 1988. Advertisements said the referendum would…
May 4, 2008
Energy
Gas Prices Level Off — For Today
Stability could be fleeting, analyst says, as California average pauses at $3.92. The surge in gasoline prices has stopped for now. The…
May 3, 2008
Energy
Chevron’s Profit Tops $5 Billion
The oil company beats analysts' forecasts despite an 84% drop in earnings from refining and gasoline retailing. Record energy prices gave Chevron…
May 3, 2008
Privacy
San Francisco patient privacy compromised by fundraiser
Here's a perfect example of why a non-medical company with no relationship to the patient should never be allowed access to patient…
May 2, 2008
Energy
Chevron’s 1Q Profit of $5.17 Billion Marks Big Oil’s Latest Gusher
SAN RAMON, CA -- Astounding profits in the oil industry are becoming as routine as the anguished looks of motorists filling up…
May 2, 2008
Insurance
Gutierrez Refiles Financial Papers
In the wake of a formal complaint claiming his campaign lacked financial disclosure, Richard Gutierrez has refiled documents with the Secretary of…
May 2, 2008
Healthcare
Should ad execs have access to your medical records?
A bill passed its second California Senate committee this week that would give an ever-wider circle of companies access to Californians' private…
May 2, 2008
Energy
Exxon’s $10.9 Billion in Profit Disappoints Street
Prices at the Pump Aren't Keeping Pace with Rising Oil Houston-based ExxonMobil, the No.1 publicly traded oil company in the world, rode…
May 2, 2008Chevron Rides Soaring Crude Oil Prices To Record Profit As Consumers Feel Squeeze At Pump
Consumer Group Cites “Oil Profits Monster” database; Calls On President Bush, Congress To Act On Oil Prices Santa Monica, CA -- Chevron…
May 2, 2008