Consumer Watchdog

Outside money fuels incumbents’ runs;

Three seats are up for grabs Nov. 7 on the San Juan Capistrano City Council.The Orange County Register (California) "We don't feel…

Campaign watchdog nixes electronic reporting of pledges

Associated Press Doug Heller, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, said the decision would allow major contributors to…

Fundraising practice could be regulated;

'Pledging' has drawn fire because it delays reporting of campaign donations.The Orange County Register (California) Campaign finance watchdogs say this makes it…

FPPC Proposal Would Allow Politicians to Hide Total Amount of Some Contributions;

Consumer Group Calls for Full Disclosure of Pledged and Installment Contributions

Political funding could change;

Prop. 89 makes financing publicThe Ventura County Star (California) Supporters assert that the public loses much more money under the current system,…

Contractor for stem cell institute folds;

Computerized system for grants is at issueThe San Diego Union-Tribune (California) When the proposal to contract with Arlington was originally brought up…

Both sides pump big bucks into Prop 87 fight

Sacramento Bee (California) Jamie Court, president of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, vouched for the initiative's safeguards. "California has some…

Invest in the future, not war;

Candidate supports Prop 87Marin Independent Journal (California) Proposition 87 is a step in the right direction. It taxes the oil producers. In…

Corporations on spending tear — Big Oil, tobacco firms pour big money into campaigns

Big business campaign funding, mostly to thwart initiatives, has hit $157 million so far this electionThe San Jose Mercury News (California) Philip…

Blue Cross settles lawsuits;

Patients claimed they were dumped by their insurerTHE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE Consumer advocates said settlements and fines don't go far enough. "Blue…

Kaiser Told to Reinstate Coverage;

Regulators' action in a kidney patient's case comes as scrutiny over cancellations grows.The Los Angeles Times Consumer lawyers and patient advocates say…

Political ad replays on YouTube;

BACKERS HOPE EXTRA EXPOSURE SPURS PROPOSITION 89San Jose Mercury News (California) The ad, which hit TV markets around the state this week,…

Meds seizure policy shifting;

Small shipments from Canada OKThe Record (Bergen County, NJ) Jerry Flanagan of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights said the government…

Difference in Post-Katrina Gas Price Drop vs. Pre-Election Gas Price Drop

CA Gas Inventory Chart 2006 vs. 2005

Blue Cross Settling Patients’ Lawsuits;

The big insurer, accused of illegally canceling some policies, agrees to pay its ex-customers.The Los Angeles Times Consumer advocates said they feared…

Letter from Tim Hamilton RE: Gas Price Fixing in Election Years

Proposition 89: Public financing measure an election fix or a bigger mess?

Sacramento Bee (California) The measure would provide public financing for state candidates and place new restrictions on ballot-measure campaigns. "In politics, you…