$500K in Insurance Contributions to Assembly Kills Crucial Health Reform Bill
7 Non-Voting Politicians Duck Public Accountability by Refusing to Vote
Jun 1, 2006Consumer 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
Privacy
Assembly approves bill to broaden the cable business
Associated Press Consumer rights groups said the bill's unanimous passage should serve as a warning sign. "A bipartisan late night deregulation effort…
Jun 1, 2006
Insurance
Garamendi blasts insurers, alleges ‘excessive profits’
The Sacramento Bee Garamendi said a financial analysis of the state's 20 largest auto, property and casualty insurers found that companies have…
May 26, 2006
Insurance
Oil companies deny manipulating oil prices, though newly-released consumer report claims otherwise
CBS-TV National Morning News Oil companies continue to blame the cost of ethanol and other additives for the price increases. But the…
May 25, 2006
Insurance
Price-gouging on insurance alleged;
State chief will hold hearings this summerThe San Diego Union-Tribune In 2005, the top five insurers took in roughly $3.5 billion in…
May 25, 2006
Energy
State’s Low Fuel Reserves Criticized;
Refiners limit on-hand gasoline inventory to boost profit, a consumer group's report alleges.The Los Angeles Times Meager stockpiles of California's cleaner-burning gasoline…
May 25, 2006
Energy
Depends what you mean by ‘gouged’…
Marketplace Radio Program (American Public Media) You might remember yesterday we told you about a report by the Federal Trade Commission. It…
May 24, 2006
In The News
Running On Empty In The West
Low gasoline inventories set the stage for $4 at the pump in 2006
May 24, 2006
Energy
Feds: No collusion or price gouging;
Blame it on Katrina: Investigators say oil costs rose because of supply and demand, not corporate greed California Sen. Boxer: 'Report proves…
May 23, 2006
Healthcare
For-Profit Health Insurance Carriers Getting the Blues
Arkansas Business "The merger of WellPoint and Anthem, which formed the new WellPoint company, gave away close to $450 million in executive…
May 23, 2006
Privacy
California group says ruling weakens WARF’s stem cell patent;
WARF spokesman calls the assertion "much ado about nothing"Wisconsin Technology Network John M. Simpson, FTCR's stem cell project director, said the Supreme…
May 22, 2006
Insurance
Bustamante sowing conflict-of-interest seeds
San Gabriel Valley Tribune (California) Consumer advocate Doug Heller, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, insists that "There…
May 19, 2006
Energy
Arnold’s Oilers
California's attorney general is subpoenaing oil executives over the high price of gasoline. Arnold Schwarzenegger is headed to the land of big…
May 19, 2006Insurance Industry’s $2.4 Million “Big Lie” Campaign Begins Today, Targets Rural California With Baseless Fear Mongering
Big Insurers' TV Ads Air After Garamendi Refused Blackmail Effort
May 18, 2006
Energy
California gas-price gap with rest of U.S. grows
Sacramento Bee Attorney General Bill Lockyer has issued subpoenas to every California refinery for evidence of "profiteering and gouging." The Foundation for…
May 18, 2006