Consumer Watchdog

Money finally flowing at California stem cell agency

The San Jose Mercury News (California) Proposition backers spent more than $40 million during the 2004 campaign that included television advertisements featuring…

Report on Corporate Rules Is Assailed;

Panel's Business Ties Spark OutcryThe Washington Post Consumer advocates seized on the issue to question the study's conclusions and the motives of…

Former AIG Exec, Ousted Over Financial Misconduct, Funds Plan to Weaken Sarbanes-Oxley Reforms

Watchdog groups: Stem cell proposals need transparency

The San Francisco Examiner In February, the stem cell agency is expected to announce the grant recipients, but who applied will remain…

Consumer Group Challenges Gov to Make Health Care Affordable By Limiting HMO & Drug Co. Profiteering in Reform Plan

Letter to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Re: California Health Care Costs

Payback is a tricky issue for California’s stem cell institute;

Rules would give state bang for stem cell bucksSilicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal (California) John Simpson, the stem cell project director for…

AP Analysis: Firms Crimping Oil Supplies

Associated Press Skeptics like U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., got more vocal. They began to suspect that Shell wanted to shut the…

Healthcare premiums to soar for entertainers

The Los Angeles Times Insurers are increasingly adopting a "take-it-or-leave-it strategy," said Jerry Flanagan, an advocate with the Foundation for Taxpayer and…

Governor opens new donor fund;

Officeholder account can pay for parties or bonuses for his staff.The Sacramento Bee (California) Carmen Balber, an advocate with the Santa Monica-based…

Governor opens fundraising account;

Critic calls it slush fundAssociated Press A critic of Schwarzenegger's fundraising said the money also could be used to pay for lavish…

$4 Million Check From Dems to Nunez Looks Like Laundered AT&T Funds, Should Be Returned

Assembly Speaker Carried Cable Deregulation Bill for AT&T As Company Raised Money For Party

We’ve been here before…

Arnold has formed a fundraising committee for what he calls his "first and only...

Assembly speaker receives $4 million donation from state party

Associated Press A spokeswoman for one watchdog group questioned whether the arrangement was legal, since the source of the funds could be…

Mayor’s fund raises concern;

School district complaints point to a Villaraigosa committee, which may allow donors to circumvent contribution limits.The Los Angeles Times The mayor could…

In Medicaid, Private HMOs Take a Big, and Profitable, Role;

Managing Care for the Poor, They Prosper by Cutting Beleaguered States' CostsThe Wall Street Journal Are Medicaid HMOs slashing necessary care to…

Consumer Advocates Praise HMO Regulator for Pledging to Push for New Rules in Response to Group’s Petition; Say “Devil’s in the Details”

HMOs to face stricter rule;

A state agency plans a move that would make it harder for insurers to drop sick policyholders.The Los Angeles Times Randolph disclosed…