Consumer 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
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…
Jan 24, 2005State (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…
Jan 24, 2005Measure 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…
Jan 24, 2005State 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…
Jan 23, 2005Stem 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…
Jan 21, 2005Amid 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…
Jan 20, 2005Firm 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…
Jan 19, 2005A 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…
Jan 19, 2005PUMPING 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…
Jan 16, 2005COMMENTARY; 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…
Jan 16, 2005Energy 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…
Jan 15, 2005The HMO Tax
Governor Schwarzenegger's budget plan will force 816,000 seniors, disabled Californians and their family members currently enrolled in the state's Medi-Cal program into…
Jan 15, 2005For 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…
Jan 14, 2005Assemblyman 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…
Jan 13, 2005Arnold’s Special Interest Tools
Arnold and his corporate backers have contrived yet another way to get around California's campaign finance rules. We shouldn't be surprised. When…
Jan 13, 2005Prescription 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…
Jan 12, 2005Connecticut governor orders rate debate on medical malpractice insurance
Malpractice Premium Forges Rare AllianceHartford Courant (Connecticut) FTCR challenged Medical Protective's proposed 29.2 percent rate increase for California last year. The company…
Jan 11, 2005