Energy

THE BIG SQUEEZE BY BIG OIL;

June 27, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>A Star consumer watchdog report</h3><p class="source">The Kansas City Star</p> <p>Clearly, free-market adjustments explain some of the decline in capacity. Inefficient small refineries, for example, were among those closed. But other forces, say some critics, were also afoot. "This is an industry rigged for profits," said Jamie Court, president of The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. "People think it is OPEC that's the reason for high gas prices, and it just isn't so."</p>

Coffeyville plant brews oil, profits;

June 26, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Refinery once viewed as industry joke</h3><p class="source">The Kansas City Star</p> <p>Industry critics say the financial benefits of keeping supplies tight are so tempting it has become a driving force in restraining capacity. But Big Oil doesn't always get its way in closing refineries.</p>

Schwarzenegger dogged by protesters as he launches ballot initiative campaign

June 15, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>"The governor's war on education does nothing to help students," said Trevor Dilling. The 28-year-old student said he quit his job to return to college and was having trouble affording tuition, which has increased more than 40 percent in the past year.</p>

A Powerful Partner;

June 13, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Longtime business ally leads governor's initiative drive to rein in state spending.</h3><p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>"I think if this special election goes forward, at a $70 million cost to the public, Allan Zaremberg is going to be exhibit No. 1 of everything that is wrong with Arnold Schwarzenegger," said Jamie Court, president of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.</p>

Governor Calls Special Election, Irking Some State Workers, Teachers

June 13, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">City News Service</p> <p>Harvey Rosenfield, founder of the Santa Monica-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, has called for new legislation barring the governor from calling a special election unless there is a state emergency and legislative approval.</p>

Governor assailed over special election;

June 13, 2005  ·  Harvey Rosenfield

<h3>Critics see today's expected move as a misuse of state's initiative process</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>"Never before, to our knowledge, has a sitting governor invoked his constitutional authority to call a special election when the only purpose of the election is the enactment of his own ballot measures," said Harvey Rosenfield, the founder and former president of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, who spearheaded Proposition 103 in 1988 to roll back auto insurance rates.</p>

Summer energy problems possible;

June 3, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Southern California has 'worst' situation in U.S.</h3><p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>"Pat Wood and FERC have stood in the way of California getting back money from the energy companies that robbed us," said Doug Heller of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica, referring to the billions in refunds California has been demanding that federal regulators order from electricity suppliers.</p>

Calif. Senate OKs bill of rights for telecom

May 31, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">RCR Wireless News</p> <p>"Despite its poor track record, the cellular telephone industry continues to believe that minimum customer service standards are not needed," said Sen. Martha Escutia (D), the lead sponsor of the legislation. "It's a shame that the industry is keeping its head in the sand and refusing to negotiate on the bill."</p>

Refining an industry;

May 30, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Oil companies, consumer groups spar over where profits should be pumped</h3><p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>Jamie Court, president of FTCR in Santa Monica, said regulations aren't the key issue in California, where he said the far-flung industry is generating its highest profits. Court said this is an industry where companies work in unison to keep supply and inventories low, so the price of their commodity stays high, and the only solution is state control over the industry, requiring adequate investment in new refineries while providing a reasonable rate of return to companies.</p>

Shell Oil vindicated in refinery decision;

May 28, 2005  ·  Jamie Court

<h3>Too little, too late, consumer advocate says</h3><p class="source">The Bakersfield Californian</p> <p>"It's kind of like getting a pardon after the execution," said Court, president of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Protection in Santa Monica.</p>

CA Contractors & Oilman Host Texas Shakedown

May 18, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2"><a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.orgpoliticians/corporate/rp/rp005059.pdf">According to a fundraising invitation,</a> the hosts of Arnold's Monday night fundraiser in Dallas are Jeff Rich, the...</font>

Clinton-Gingrich is just the ticket to a lame health-care sequel

May 18, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Tallahassee Democrat</p> <p>I'm not saying that the Hillary-Newt idea is a bad one (for that, read HuffPost blogger Jamie Court ) - just an unimportant one. It's either a small good idea or a small bad idea - despite the gossipy buzz the "When Hillary Met Newt" pairing created on cable news.</p>