Insurance

Ex-Lawmaker Named to Head Consumer Affairs Department

March 17, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>"The obligation of the Department of Consumer Affairs is to protect consumers. And if you have no record of that and, indeed, a record that is antagonistic to consumer rights, then you don't belong in that post," said Doug Heller with FTCR.</p>

Cases against California lawmakers fail to get equal attention

March 17, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>The selective attitude about delving into allegations of misconduct is being demonstrated anew in two other cases.</p>

Murphy’s Law?

March 15, 2004  ·  Doug Heller

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Arnold has generally managed to avoid the old assurance that if it can go wrong, it will. Instead he's followed another Murphy's law: his top political adviser Mike Murphy's, which seems to be...</font>

Supremes Limit Punitive Damages

March 13, 2004  ·  Jamie Court

<h3>In a little noticed ruling, the Supreme Court curbed juries' ability to punish corporate misdeeds.</h3><p class="source">Dollars and Sense Magazine</p> <p>Juries will no longer have the power to do what the jury in the GM case successfully did-punish a corporate defendant in a way that ensures it truly pays a price for its crimes.</p>

Arnold’s $800,000 Star Chamber

March 13, 2004  ·  Doug Heller

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">What happens when you mix Arnold's star quality with a private commission that looks like it was drawn up by the Chamber of Commerce? You get the Star Chamber that the Governor has dubbed his...</font>

Donabedian v. Mercury Insurance

March 12, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Court of Appeal decision</h3>

Consumers Can Sue Insurers Over Rates, Appeals Court Says

March 12, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p> <b>The decision in a case filed against a Mercury General unit upholds a key part of the auto reform Proposition 103.</b></p>

Schwarzenegger names donors, supporters to Calif jobs panel

March 11, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>The commission "creates a huge potential for conflicts of interest across the board," said Carmen Balber of FTCR, a consumer advocacy group, comparing it to the controversial industry group that advised VP Dick Cheney on energy issues.</p>

County goes to bat for rural drivers

March 11, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Supervisors say insurance rates go up under plan</h3><p class="source">Tulare Advance-Register (Tulare, CA)</p> <p>A petition before Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi has asked that an investigation of how some factors, such as where a person lives, dictate the cost of car insurance.The petitioners include FTCR and the cities of LA, SF and Oakland.</p>

Kaiser campaign donation chided

March 10, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Oakland Tribune</p> <p>"Kaiser has invested$100,000 of our premium dollars into removing consumer rights and accountability," said Jerry Flanagan of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.</p>

Insurance rates for vehicles discussed

March 10, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Residents at a Fresno hearing voice concerns about increases.</h3><p class="source">Fresno Bee (California)</p> <p>Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi said "This system is unfair. You ask the industry or others why it happens and they shrug their shoulders. ... The insurance industry says this will raise rates throughout California. That is a lie."</p>

Car Consumers Lose a Champion

March 10, 2004  ·  Carmen Balber

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">In his speeches, Arnold extolls the Golden Age of California. However, his actions as governor - including a freeze on all pending government regulations, a rehash of every rule passed in the...</font>