Consumer 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
Your rights and Referendum 67
The Olympian (Olympia, Washington) Doug Heller of the Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights, based in Santa Monica, Calif., said Washington's insurance…
Oct 7, 2007Brash idealist at bat; Lawmaker tackles issues, even at risk of striking out
Sacramento Bee (California) Jamie Court, president of the Santa Monica-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, described Jones as effective and articulate…
Oct 7, 2007Capitol Beat: Smile for the camera
San Jose Mercury News (California) POSSIBLY COMING TO A TV NEAR YOU: Unflattering video footage of legislators yukking it up with health…
Oct 7, 2007State watchdog group leery of aides with corporate ties
Contra Costa Times (California) Jamie Court, president of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, said the fellowship is akin to a…
Oct 7, 2007Less to bank on at state universities;
Educators fear a 2004 funding deal has schools sliding toward mediocrityLos Angeles Times Other grants also have stirred controversy, including a $500-million…
Oct 7, 2007Chittenden Bank’s planned owners seek hefty bonus with cuts looming
The Burlington Free Press (Vermont) The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, a nonprofit consumer group based in Santa Monica, Calif., disagreed…
Oct 7, 2007Nunez middle class? Boy, that’s rich
If he crashes and burns in politics, California Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez could have a great future as a travel agent. As…
Oct 7, 2007Assembly leader hit for lavish spending
San Jose Mercury News (California) "Even if it's all legitimate public business, following the letter of the law, he's clearly enriching himself…
Oct 6, 2007Retail dealers once opposed ‘hot fuel,’ but now they fight to keep it
The Kansas City Star It's a striking case of wanting it both ways, said Judy Dugan, research director for The Foundation for…
Oct 6, 2007Assembly speaker taps campaign funds for expensive meals, hotels
Associated Press Doug Heller, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, a Santa Monica-based consumer group, said Nunez should…
Oct 5, 2007Protesters see deal with BP as Big Oil’s Trojan horse for Cal
THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE "UC Berkeley is becoming an extension campus of Big Oil U," John Simpson of the Santa Monica-based Foundation…
Oct 5, 2007Stem cell chief a top scientist;
Australian will head $3 billion California research institute.Sacramento Bee (California) Trounson said he had not intended to mislead, and apologized. The episode…
Oct 5, 2007California Stem-Cell Institute Takes Back $3 Million in Grants
Wired Magazine John M. Simpson, stem-cell project director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights of Santa Monica, California, told directors…
Oct 5, 2007Campaign cash gives Nunez rich travel style
Los Angeles Times Luxurious living is incompatible with Núñez's image as a champion of working people, said Doug Heller with FTCR. "Here's…
Oct 5, 2007Insurance Industry Outnumbered Consumer Advocates 5 to 0 At Congressional Hearing on Insurance Oversight;
Insurers Top Donor to Committee Chair Kanjorski
Oct 4, 2007State pulls Burnham’s stem cell seed grant
The San Diego Union-Tribune A member of a taxpayer advocacy group said that the denial of the Burnham application and the withdrawal…
Oct 4, 2007Calif. stem cell agency back on track?
Agency won't award two grants, and sells more bonds than expected in first public saleThe Scientist Magazine "What people don't realize is…
Oct 4, 2007