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
Shell Has No Plans To Cover Refinery’s Loss
KERO Interviews Refinery ManagerThe Bakersfield Channel - KERO TV (California) Jamie Court, the president of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights,…
May 12, 2004Mercury Insurance Tries Legislative End-Run Around Court Loss
Bill Takes Power From Insurance Commissioner To Stop Illegal Practices
May 11, 2004Telling numbers: Banks set quotas for sales pitches
Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette (Texas) It's particularly offensive that when we simply try to get our own money out of the bank, we're…
May 10, 2004Debate Over State’s Energy Supplies Heating Up Again;
Governor, lawmakers and business are weighing in on how best to revamp the power system.Los Angeles Times Letting the biggest corporations in…
May 10, 2004Chamber charmed by all-business governor;
Economic initiatives now at top of his listThe San Francisco Chronicle The chamber has been preaching the same anti-regulation, anti-litigation, pro-deregulation, job-killer…
May 10, 2004Pumping Up the Price of Gasoline
Perhaps no issue affects more businesses in California now than the skyrocketing price of gasoline. But Arnold -- big business's biggest advocate…
May 8, 2004‘Strike 1’ on Health Care Cost Controls, Consumer Group Says
FTCR pledges ballot initiative if two other cost control policies fail
May 6, 2004New overseer for HMOs;
Ehnes says she can't cure all ills, but she wants to keep doctors fiscally healthyThe San Francisco Chronicle "When it's a matter…
May 6, 2004Unfair Business?
Arnold has filed a lawsuit against Bosley Bobbing Head Doll Company in Los Angeles Superior Court for using his unauthorized likeness on…
May 6, 2004State chamber looks revitalized
Sacramento Bee "Arnold is the gun that the chamber has put to the heads in the Legislature to get its way," said…
May 5, 2004Rising Profits Pump Up Criticism of Oil Refiners;
California consumer groups say the industry is taking advantage of supply concerns with record retail prices.Los Angeles Times "They're making money hand…
May 5, 2004Proposal to bar excessive HMO rates fails in Senate committee
Associated Press Jerry Flannigan, a lobbyist for the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, said the bill would have helped control one…
May 5, 2004Power Play in California
Deregulation déjà vu If the new political leadership in Sacramento and the energy industry have their way, Californians will soon see a…
May 5, 2004Activists rip ballot proposal on suit
San Bernadino Sun "This proposal is a power grab to give the biggest corporations in California a get-out-of-jail-free card under the pretext…
May 5, 2004A Voice for HMOs
HMOs were not supposed to have any more clout in the Capitol than patients if you believe Arnold's campaign promises. But testimony…
May 5, 2004Lawmakers eye limits on health care profits;
Health profits' limits consideredThe Daily News of Los Angeles Consumer advocates have shown strong support of the bill. The Foundation for Taxpayer…
May 4, 2004Medco settles, agrees more transparency
Pharma Marketletter (UK) Pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) are virtually unregulated, said Jerry Flanagan of FTCR, who added: "leaving this industry to self-regulate…
May 3, 2004