Consumer Watchdog

New Conflict of Interest Violations Revealed At California Stem Cell Institute;

Tainted Research Grant Applications Must Be Rejected, Consumer Advocates Say

Bids for stem-cell grants in jeopardy;

4 universities may have broken rules on conflict of interestThe San Francisco Chronicle Reed has since said that it was an unintentional…

Farmers Insurance Asks Commissioner Poizner for Homeowners Rate Hike Based on Great Customer Service, Despite Lower Than Average Customer Service Ranking;

California Consumer Group Challenges Farmers' Attempt to Overcharge California Homeowners One-Quarter $Billion a Year

California Plans for a $750 Million Biotech Bank

Wired Magazine John M. Simpson, stem cell project director for the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumers Rights in Santa Monica, helped develop…

Consumers Knock Cell Service

Consumer Reports' survey found that cellular phone providers' often onerous contract terms and early termination penalties are being revised under the pressure…

Ruling on recisions is blow to insurers;

Patients dropped by Blue Shield may sue as a class, a panel says.Los Angeles Times Jamie Court, a spokesman for the Santa…

Politics, business as usual in health proposals?

Candidates' plans to bring little reform, don't address costs, analysts sayCBS MarketWatch.com FTCR's Jerry Flanagan points out, however, that the double-digit rate…

Employment law ruling may impact wireless operators;

Case calls into question legality of arbitration clausesRCR Wireless News "What's fascinating is that the wireless companies have lost a slew of…

Workers defend hospital labor costs

Santa Cruz Sentinel John Simpson, of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Los Angeles, agreed. Nurses, whose profession was once…

Close Scrutiny Needed As First Stem Cell Grants Offered To For-Profit Companies, Consumers Say

California Stem Cell Agency to Fund Non-Embryonic Alternatives

Wired Magazine The plan to fund businesses drew a cautionary note from CIRM watchdog John Simpson of the Foundation for Taxpayer and…

Audit Ordered for California Stem Cell Agency;

California State Controller John Chiang has ordered an audit of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, citing accusations of conflict of interest.Wired…

Grants are focus of third audit of stem cell institute;

Controller says he doesn't suspect any wrongdoingThe San Diego Union-Tribune The Controller's letter to the commission follows a complaint filed last week…

Stem Cell Chairman Robert Klein And Oversight Board Member John Reed Must Resign Because of Conflict of Interest, Consumer Advocate Tells Controller’s Committee;

Controller Chiang Will Refer Conflict Issue To FPPC

$100 oil and the ‘S’ word

Is it growing demand and tight supply, or merely rampant speculation that has pushed crude to record highs?CNNMoney.com "Just the multiple [contract]…

Controller will audit stem-cell institute

POLITICAL ETHICS AGENCY ALSO ASKED TO INVESTIGATESan Jose Mercury News (California) California Controller John Chiang said he has asked the Fair Political…

Schwarzenegger’s ecological drive may be just more Hollywood

The Sunday Independent (South Africa) Jamie Court, the president of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, says the governor is an…

The Governator’s Gold Rush;

Arnold Schwarzenegger is shaping America's climate change agenda. But critics say the billions pouring into California's green industries are chasing Hollywood hype.The…