Privacy

Suddenly, infrastructure is hot;

February 12, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Governor's overhaul plan is getting good poll numbers as rivals offer their own versions.</h3><p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>"There's a lot of concern that this infrastructure bond becomes the nation's largest thank-you note to his political donors," said Doug Heller, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. "What we're going to have to watch over the coming months is the influx of campaign money from the builder-developer community."</p>

Split panel says state to get same discount as federal Medicaid

February 11, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>The Santa Monica-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights had also suggested the lower federal price as a condition of licensing state research.</p>

‘B’ bounces back

February 9, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Good Government Task Force boosts controversial campaign finance law, gets mayor's support</h3><p class="source">Pasadena Weekly</p> <p>These changes, said Measure B proponent Carmen Balber, are for the most part "real moves to strengthen the Taxpayer Protection Amendment and limit the corrupting influence of contributors."</p>

Gov.’s Gift to PUC Official Questioned

February 3, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Schwarzenegger gave Susan Kennedy $25,000 after he received that amount from AT&T. Days later, she voted to OK its merger with SBC.</h3><p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Doug Heller, of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica, called on Kennedy to return the $25,000 she took from Schwarzenegger. "The PUC ought to throw out any votes that involved her on this telecommunications rule," Heller said. "It is an absolute conflict that goes to the heart of what's wrong with use of public officials in campaign functions."</p>

To Complete This Call, Please Insert 25 Grand

February 2, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Arnold's new Chief of Staff, Susan Kennedy, was still working as a Public Utilities Commissioner when she was secretly paid $25,000 by the Gov's re-election committee, as the LA Times reported...</font>

Public campaign funds on California agenda

February 1, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">UPI - United Press International</p> <p>Backers include the California Clean Money Campaign, the California Nurses Association, the League of Women Voters, the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights and the Sierra Club.</p>

Data firm fined for leak;

January 27, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>ChoicePoint must pay $15 million in wake of ID thefts.</h3><p class="source">Sacramento Bee (California)</p> <p>Carmen Balber, a staffer with the Santa-Monica-based Foundation for Consumer and Taxpayers Rights, said the $15 million penalty is a victory for all consumers. "If they don't protect the information, now they know they will pay," she said.</p>

Stem cell profit rules urged;

January 24, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Low-cost drugs for poor, some proceeds to state are proposed</h3><p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>The requirement for low-cost drugs for poorer residents met a key goal outlined in a report issued Monday by the Santa Monica-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. It could also become a template for other states aiming to stimulate stem cell research programs, said Dr. Ben Rich, associate professor of bioethics at the University of California, Davis.</p>

Panel endorses giving public some stem cell profits

January 24, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">CONTRA COSTA TIMES</p> <p>"There's a need to remember that this is public money funding this research," said John Simpson of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. "I had a sense that there was recognition of that today and there was progress in a number of areas that I thought was outstanding."</p>

Discoveries should benefit taxpayers, foundation says

January 23, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>John Simpson, author of FTCR's new report, said federal policy would charge taxpayers twice for therapies: once when their money is used for grants that fund research and again when they pay for high-priced drugs based on the research.</p>

UnitedHealth misses some expectations

January 19, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Reuters</p> <p>The watchdog group Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights said UnitedHealth's double-digit profit growth translates to a bad deal for patients. "Every dollar spent on overhead and handed out in profit means patients and employers pay more for less health care," the group's health policy director, Jerry Flanagan, said.</p>

Call for head of stem cell institute to resign;

January 19, 2006  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Biotech watchdog says Prop. 71 agency needs a fresh start</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>John Simpson, stem cell project director at another advocacy group, the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, said it would be a mistake to focus too much attention on Klein's leadership. "I certainly understand the public outrage that led to the call for Bob Klein to step down, but the stem cell institute's problems go beyond personalities," Simpson said. "We'll just have a revolving door of Bob Kleins until the structure is fixed."</p>