Consumer Watchdog

Chevron’s Huge Profit Jump vs. Threatening Ads Against Clean-Energy Prop 87;

Industry-Beating 40% Profit Jump Shows High Profits of California Pumping and Refining Operations, Group Says

Price & Profit of California Crude Oil

‘Orgy’ of spending on political ads — $500 million breaks state record

THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE "The amount of money being spent in 2006 blows away every other record," said Carmen Balber, spokeswoman with…

State planning to fire health care official;

He worked on OK for acquisition by group he invested inTHE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE Jerry Flanagan, of the Foundation for Taxpayers and…

Exxon Continues to Hoard Tens of Billions Rather Than Invest in Refineries and Oil Alternatives, Group Says

Schwarzenegger Prejudged HMO Merger Before Hearings, Received $105K from PacifiCare;

Consumer Group Calls for State Auditor to Investigate Anti-Consumer Merger and $445 Million Exec Payout

State moves to fire HMO regulator;

Kevin Donohue defends his role in reviewing a buyout while owning UnitedHealth stock.The Los Angeles Times Consumer advocates said Donohue seemed particularly…

Ad-Busting: Re-Edited “No on 89” Ad Shows Spot As It Would Be If Drug Company Disclaimers Applied to Political Advertisements;

Ad Implies California's Nurses Are "The Special Interests"; Group's Re-Edit Shows Effects of Believing That

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…

Blue Cross In Crisis Hires PR Firm that Specializes in ‘Keeping Clients Out of the Press’;

Firm's Clients Include Halliburton, Exxon, & Tenet

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…