State Auditor Should Investigate State of the State
Consumer Group Calls for Audit of Governor's Use of Private Lobbyists to Write Public Policy Gov. Davis has given power to craft…
Jan 8, 2003Consumer Watchdog
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Articles by Consumer Watchdog
FTCR’s Letter to Senator Burton RE: Gov. Davis Using Lobbyists As Policy Advisors
Gov. Davis has given power to craft his current budget proposal to Phil Isenberg and Patrick Johnston, two lobbyists who represent several…
Jan 8, 2003FTCR’s Letter to Gov. Davis RE: Davis’ Use of Lobbyists As Policy Advisors
Phil Isenberg and Patrick Johnston, two lobbyists who represent several of the most influential special interests in California, should be barred immediately…
Jan 8, 2003
Insurance
Op-ed: Insurance industry gambled our money and lost
Houston Chronicle Insurance on your car or home is supposed to provide some security that if something goes wrong, it can't go…
Jan 7, 2003
Insurance
Background of new Senate majority leader, Bill Frist of Tennessee
National Public Radio (NPR) Morning Edition Frist projects a more modern image of the South and a more moderate image of his…
Jan 7, 2003West Virginia Strikers’ Representative Lied to Congress
Physician's Criminal Past, Not Innocent Victims, Cause of Malpractice Premium Increases ¬W?4Virginia physicians strike, the doctor that represented them before Congress in…
Jan 7, 2003
Energy
Davis Ousts Lynch, Names Mike Peevey to Run CPUC
THE ELECTRICITY DAILY The appointment drew a raspberry from consumer advocate Doug Heller of the Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights.
Jan 6, 2003
Energy
CONSUMER GROUPS WARY OF GOV. DAVIS’ NAMING EX-UTILITY CHIEF TO HEAD PUC
Electric Utilities Week/Power Markets Week California Gov. Gray Davis' Dec. 31 replacement of state Public Utilities Commission President Loretta Lynch with Commissioner…
Jan 6, 2003Cal. Medical Malpractice Caps Don’t Hold Down Doctors’ Premiums, According to Cal. Doctor
Doctors Want No-Fault System for No Accountability "Punishing victims for insurers' price-gouging is a slippery slope that will lead, if the insurance…
Jan 6, 2003
Insurance
PEACE OF MIND COSTS MORE;
INSURANCE PREMIUMS RISE AT RECORD RATE TO COVER HUGE PAYOUTSThe Daily Press Homeowners in Virginia are experiencing the steepest increases ever in…
Jan 5, 2003
Energy
California PUC chief criticized;
Some say shake-up favors power firmsThe Houston Chronicle The California regulatory commission that blamed the state's energy crisis on Enron Corp. and…
Jan 4, 2003
Insurance
Activists slam Davis for letting two lobbyists help him draft budget
The San Jose Mercury News The special access given to Phil Isenberg and Patrick Johnston sparked criticism from consumer activists and political…
Jan 4, 2003
Energy
Governor demotes Lynch in CPUC shake-up
Gas Daily The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights already has called for the California state Senate to reject Peevey's appointment.
Jan 3, 2003
Energy
Former Utility Exec To Lead CPUC
Energy Daily California Gov. Gray Davis, in a public snub of a state official who has not always followed his wishes, announced…
Jan 3, 2003
Healthcare
DOCTORS PRACTICE UNDER PRESSURE;
MALPRACTICE COSTS STIFLING, SOME SAYThe Hartford Courant A walkout by West Virginia surgeons will increase pressure this year on state legislatures and…
Jan 3, 2003
Insurance
State Farm Stops Selling Car Insurance in West Virginia
The Charleston Gazette Their motto says, "Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there," but that's no longer true for state residents…
Jan 2, 2003
Energy
California Governor Names New Head of Public Service Commission
San Jose Mercury News Gov. Gray Davis on Tuesday named a former energy executive to head the California Public Utilities Commission, shifting…
Jan 2, 2003
Healthcare
Affordability is basic in health-care reform
The San Francsico Chronicle California needs a system-wide plan to resolve growing inequities in health care. One middle-ground solution would be a…
Jan 2, 2003