Consumer Watchdog

Taxpayer Groups Urge Board of Equalization Not to Give $80.6M in Tax Refunds to Companies that Paid No Income Taxes

"Corporate Welfare Queens" Seek Refunds Barred by State Law

Eighteen California companies win $80.8 million in tax refunds

Critics claim the companies recently paid no state income taxes.Associated Press The board awarded the refunds with little discussion and no public…

Taxpayer Groups Urge Board of Equalization to Reject Tax Giveaway

State fines former commissioner;

Duque cited for utility commission votes on NextelThe San Francisco Chronicle In light of the fine, FTCR, the group that unsuccessfully went…

State (Wisconsin) missed chance at health care payoff for poor;

Others saw opportunity in insurance company mergerMilwaukee Journal Sentinel (Wisconsin) Jerry Flanagan, health-care advocate for the Santa Monica-based Foundation for Taxpayer and…

Measure goes further than governor’s proposal to force drug prices down

Sacramento Union "If Canada with a population of 30 million negotiates 30 [percent] to 70 percent savings, we should be able to…

State political watchdog fines former PUC commissioner

Monterey County Herald (California) FTCR, which originally challenged Duque's investments, said the group is happy that the FPPC got Duque to concede…

Stem cell holdings criticized

Sacramento Bee Ten of the 29 directors of California's new stem cell program serve on biotech or pharmaceutical firms' boards of directors…

Amid Broken Promises, Many Begin to Doubt Schwarzenegger

Los Angeles Times The question political insiders are starting to ask about Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is potentially one of the most damaging…

Firm hires governor’s fund-raiser to pitch program to agencies

Associated Press "This is the worst kind of influence peddling," said Jamie Court, president of FTCR, a Santa Monica-based consumer group. "This…

A Man of the People… People Who Pay

Los Angeles Times Even as he rails against special interests, the governor is grabbing special interest money with the unstoppable force of…

PUMPING HIM UP;

Governor's position as a top editor at a pair of bodybuilding magazines may enhance his political celebrityThe San Francisco Chronicle "These magazines…

COMMENTARY; Regulate insurance to fight malpractice ‘crisis’

Chicago Tribune The insurance industry pushing for tort reform? Kind of like the Big Bad Wolf trying to prohibit little pigs from…

Energy firm settles suit with state

Sacramento Bee Consumer advocate Doug Heller with FTCR, said the settlement is certainly not enough money in the scheme of things, but…

For Insurance Claimants, Wording Is Slippery Slope;

Distinction between what constitutes a flood and a slide can dictate whether one is covered.Los Angeles Times Doug Heller, executive director of…

Assemblyman regrets flier’s wording;

Some see Calderon's invitation as targeting special interests.Sacramento Bee Jamie Court, president of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, said the…

Prescription benefit amid health care cuts;

Plan relies on help from drugmakersThe San Francisco Chronicle Cal Rx is not open to enough Californians who need drug coverage, said…

Washington Malpractice Rates Drop Without Damage Cap

State's Largest Insurer More Profitable Than Ever