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Consumer Watchdog

Insurance

Insurance news, investigations, and reform — auto, home, and health insurance rates, claims denials, and industry accountability.
Money Talks to Arnold

Money Talks to Arnold

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Arnold's first legal victory after a series of defeats was winning the ability to bust all fundraising limits for his ballot measure committees. Probably not the kind of fight voters thought...</font>
State to weigh Safeco quake-insurance rate hike;

State to weigh Safeco quake-insurance rate hike;

<h3>The insurer wants to increase its typical premiums by 30 percent, to $762 annually.</h3><p class="source">The Orange County Register</p> <p>No date is set for Safeco's hearing. It's a response to a challenge by the nonprofit Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, said Lawrence Markey Jr., a lawyer for the group. Safeco submitted the request to the Insurance Department in August.</p>
Sit-In at the Governor’s Table

Sit-In at the Governor’s Table

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">As thousands protested outside Arnold's fundraiser last night at the Century Plaza hotel, a small group of firefighters, nurses, teachers and consumer advocates took a seat at the governor's...</font>
Medical malpractice math

Medical malpractice math

<p class="source">Marketplace - National Public Radio</p> <p>When a doctor's, hospital's or drug company's negligence seriously injures a patient, someone's got to pay the medical bills and living expenses. If it's not the wrongdoer, then it's likely gonna be the America taxpayer through social security, disa</p>
Medical Malpractice Math

Medical Malpractice Math

<!-- excerpt --><p>When a doctor's hospital's or drug company's negligence seriously injures a patient, someone's got to pay the medical bills and living expenses. If it's not the wrongdoer, then it's likely gonna be the America taxpayer through programs like social securi</p>
Governor fattens kitty with D.C. Cash;

Governor fattens kitty with D.C. Cash;

<h3>Fund raising during trip raises concerns</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>"What big money does is buy access for a small set of people whose interests don't align with the interests of most Californians," said Jerry Flanagan of the Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights, a non-profit group that has been tracking Arnold's fun</p>
Bill would allow instant rate hikes for business insurance

Bill would allow instant rate hikes for business insurance

<p class="source">The Charleston Gazette</p> <p>The Insurance Commission can't have it both ways, said Lawrence Markey Jr., staff attorney for California-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. Insurance companies like a file-and-use system because it makes it easier to increase profits</p>
Wall Street’s Jockey

Wall Street’s Jockey

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Tonight, the 21 Club -- the Manhattan restaurant and prohibition-era speakeasy adorned with sculptures of jockeys -- will be host to Arnold's no-limits fundraising. Dinner with the Gov runs a...</font>
$22,300 For a Seat at the Policy Table

$22,300 For a Seat at the Policy Table

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Arnold's invitation to tomorrow's Washington D.C. fundraiser at the St. Regis hotel promises that for $22,300 donors will get "one seat at the Business Roundtable with Governor...</font>
Donors’ Influence on Schwarzenegger Is an Issue

Donors’ Influence on Schwarzenegger Is an Issue

<p class="source">The New York Times</p> <p>The speaker of the California Assembly, Fabian Núñez, Democrat of Los Angeles, said Mr. Schwarzenegger's pursuit of political contributions had become a serious impediment to his dealings with Democrats in the Legislature.</p>