Privacy

Video plan may not be cheap

July 3, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE</p> <p>Jamie Court, president of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica, said he has no doubt that Comcast and other cable companies will abandon all local franchise agreements in favor of one-size-fits-all state franchising. "Nobody cared about leveling the playing field for the consumer," he said. "The consumer gets the shaft here."</p>

The missing link in stem-cell research

July 2, 2006  ·  John M. Simpson

<p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>Patenting embryonic stem cells is like patenting food because you can cook. Nonetheless, WARF claims -- and has for now been granted -- rights to all human embryonic stem cells in the United States. The patents' dubious validity is underscored by the fact that no other country in the world recognizes these claims.</p>

Knabe Again Votes for a Client of Lobbyist Son

June 28, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Officials at several watchdog groups, including the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights and the Center for Governmental Studies, have said Knabe's practice of making decisions that affect his son's clients represents an ethical conflict of interest, if not a legal one.</p>

Top California Officials to Get 18% Pay Hike;

June 24, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Panel approves raises for a dozen top elective posts. Critics assail the boost in salaries.</h3><p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Doug Heller, executive director of the Santa Monica-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, said the raises would bring the officials further "out of whack with where real Californians are economically. These politicians are placed financially so far above the mainstream that it skews their view of reality."</p>

Telephone companies press lawmakers for access to cable TV market

June 23, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>"It's pretty naive to think AT&T is doing this to give us lower prices," said Jamie Court, president of the Santa Monica-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. "They are doing it to have more choices themselves so they can charge as much as they like for services and construct lines in communities without local elected officials being able to stop them."</p>

Federal cable franchise? Bad idea

June 22, 2006  ·  Jamie Court

<p class="source">Marketplace Radio Program (American Public Media)</p> <p>With all the talk about net neutrality, commentator Jamie Court says we've missed another important debate ' a possible rollback in local restrictions on cable companies...</p>

Federal cable franchise? Bad idea

June 22, 2006  ·  Jamie Court

<p class="source">Marketplace NPR Radio Program (American Public Media)</p> <p>With all the talk about net neutrality, commentator Jamie Court says we've missed another important debate ' a possible rollback in local restrictions on cable companies.</p>

Beta Testing Arnold 2.0

June 20, 2006  ·  Carmen Balber

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">With more than half a million dollars from hi-tech companies who are pushing a federal effort to limit California's ability to protect consumer privacy, Arnold 2.0 could face an early test of...</font>

Wisconsin, California could spar over stem cells

June 18, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation is discussing concerns over use of its stem cells by a California institute hoping to disburse $3 billion in stem cell research grants. The outcome of discussions with the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, a state entity, could affect the development of stem cell therapies far beyond the two states, both parties say.</p>

Nonvotes that count;

June 18, 2006  ·  Carmen Balber

<h3>Payback for no-show legislators Politicians who don't vote on important bills don't win.</h3> <p> The public called for a crackdown on nonvoting when those going to the polls decided that several serial nonvoters shouldn't hold public office at all. One way to solve the problem is with a simple rule: Politicians should be docked a day's pay for every time they show up but refuse to do their job. </p>

Nonvotes that count;

June 18, 2006  ·  Carmen Balber

<h3>Payback for no-show legislators. Politicians who don't vote on important bills don't win.</h3><p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>The public called for a crackdown on nonvoting when those going to the polls decided that several serial nonvoters shouldn't hold public office at all. One way to solve the problem is with a simple rule: Politicians should be docked a day's pay for every time they show up but refuse to do their job. </p>

How Much for That Loophole in the Window?

June 14, 2006  ·  Carmen Balber

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Arnold blasted budget season fundraising during the recall campaign, declaring it "inherently suspect for politicians to be taking money from lobbyists while they are spending the people's...</font>