13 of 16 Cabinet Members Have Ties To “Class Action” Targeted Companies
President Bush Backing Major Overhaul of Class Action Lawsuits
Oct 20, 2003Consumer Watchdog
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Articles by Consumer Watchdog
Privacy
Democrats May Block Class Action Bill
The New York Times The federal courts already are overwhelmed with cases, which means that class action lawsuits would receive the lowest…
Oct 20, 2003
Energy
California energy mess: the tab nobody picks up
Christian Science Monitor (Boston, MA) FTCR has written the governor-elect asking for an explanation of a private May 2001 meeting with Enron…
Oct 20, 2003
Insurance
THEIRS FOR THE TAKING: SENSITIVE CREDIT DATA RESALE OF REPORTS DEPENDS ON AN HONOR SYSTEM THAT GOES UNPOLICED
The Boston Globe "It's basically a black market in information that leads back to one place, the credit bureaus," said Jamie Court,…
Oct 19, 2003Portland Receives “B” For Controlling Corporate Power Over Society & Individuals
Author Releases "Corporateering Quotient" Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights (FTCR), rated Portland a "B," the second highest rating in a national…
Oct 16, 2003
Insurance
Portland praised for curbing business clout
A consumer foundation gives the city good marks for limiting the intrusion of corporations in public lifeThe Oregonian Foundation Executive Director Jamie…
Oct 16, 2003
Insurance
Groups Sue to Block Insurance Law, Contend Davis Is Biased
Activists Say Act Creates Illegal SurchargesThe Los Angeles Daily Journal "This is the type of behavior that angered voters and why Davis…
Oct 16, 2003
Insurance
Car Insurance Suit
City News Service Senate Bill 841, written at the behest of Mercury Insurance Co., also authorizes insurance companies to impose a surcharge…
Oct 16, 2003Victory for Privacy Rights: California Supreme Court Today Denies Junk Faxers’ Petition
Will Let Stand Appellate Court Decision Validating Right to Enforce Federal Junk Fax Ban in California Courts, Upholds Ban as Constitutional Today…
Oct 15, 2003Consumer Groups Sue to Invalidate Auto Insurance Surcharge Law
Lawsuit Challenges Special Interest Legislation; Mercury Insurance Gave $895K to Lawmakers and Governor in 2002-2003.
Oct 15, 2003Gov.-elect Schwarzenegger Should Come Clean About Ken Lay Meeting Or Face Inquiry, Group Says
Energy Deregulation Agenda Criticized
Oct 14, 2003
Privacy
Patriot power; New law gives financial firms right to know more about customers
The Washington Times "Financial institutions have been deputized to investigate consumers," said Douglas Heller, senior consumer advocate for FTCR, a group that…
Oct 14, 2003
Energy
Energy market strategy outlined Some say the new governor will wait to tackle power issues.
The Sacramento Bee Doug Heller with FTCR, said he believes Schwarzenegger will abandon efforts to collect $9 billion in refunds from energy…
Oct 14, 2003
Insurance
Health insurance bill’s passage could spur rate cap proposal
Los Angeles Business Journal Following enactment of SB 2, the state's landmark play-or-pay health insurance law, the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer…
Oct 13, 2003
Insurance
Health care law may go to voters
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WANTS TO REPEAL MANDATESan Jose Mercury News Jerry Flanagan, a consumer advocate with the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer…
Oct 11, 2003
Accountability
PLUGGING THE LATEST CONSPIRACY THEORY
LA Weekly (California) The alleged smoking gun is a May 17, 2001, meeting that included Enron chairman Kenneth Lay, Arnold Schwarzenegger and…
Oct 10, 2003
Insurance
Groping in the dark in sunny California
Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio) "From the California perspective, people had lost any capacity to do the tailwork. Unless Schwarzenegger had been groping…
Oct 10, 2003