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A Man of the People… People Who Pay

January 19, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Even as he rails against special interests, the governor is grabbing special interest money with the unstoppable force of a crack addict smashing car windows for loose change.</p>

Governor’s call to arms causing deep divisions;

January 9, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Dem, union 'special interests' are seen as enemies of his state</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>Doug Heller, a spokesman for the nonprofit FTCR -- a watchdog group that runs a Web site called Arnoldwatch.org -- said he's concerned that the governor is using the dreaded "special interest" label to disarm legitimate critics and public protest of his p</p>

Scene Set for Ballot Battles;

January 8, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Schwarzenegger's plan for a special election this fall has scores of interest groups scrambling to put their own agendas before the voters too.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>"The question is whether issues like prescription drug reform drowns out these more archaic measures like redistricting, which is not immediately obvious as to its effect on the state," said Jerry Flanagan of FTCR, a nonprofit group based in Santa Monica.</p>

Regulator revamp plan raises concerns in California

January 7, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Contra Costa Times</p> <p>Doug Heller, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, said the boards have benefited consumers and professionals by weeding out problem practitioners who reflect poorly on the industries.</p>

A slap for taxpayers

January 6, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Ventura County Star (California)</p> <p>Doug Heller, a spokesman for FTCR, could have been reflecting the reaction of many Californians when he said, "To actually be giving a gift to companies that paid no taxes is a slap in the face of every taxpaying citizen in the state."</p>

Alhambra councilman to keep city vending contracts, not profit

January 6, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">San Gabriel Valley Tribune (California)</p> <p>Even if a technicality legally absolves him, it might be best for Yamauchi to terminate the contracts and avoid any appearance of a conflict, said consumer advocate Carmen Balber of the Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights.</p>

Good Government Resolutions

January 6, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Here are a few New Year resolutions ArnoldWatch would like to hear from the Governor as he talks about reforming state government and cleaning up politics in tonight's State of the State speech....</font>

Bush’s tort reform efforts to start at ‘judicial hellhole’;

January 3, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Speech in an Illinois county infamous for litigation will begin push to cap damage awards in lawsuits</h3><p class="source">Chicago Tribune</p> <p>"At the end of the day, [legal reform] is a way to take money from people's pockets," said Doug Heller, director of the California-based Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights.</p>

Stop Junk Faxes

January 2, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<P>If you have an active fax machine, you've probably received annoying ads that you didn't ask for. Like junk mail and spam e-mail, "junk faxes" are another way businesses waste our time and invade our privacy at home and the office. Some...</P>

Prop. 71 financier debuts as chairman;

December 18, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>29-member board sworn in; biotech exec is vice chair</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>A Los Angeles nonprofit, the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, issued a news release charging that the newly named stem-cell board was rife with conflicts of interest.</p>

Amid continuing complaints, stem cell board chooses its leaders

December 18, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>Jerry Flanagan of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights said that a main concern is that research grants will be given on the basis of personal relationship and financial interest and not based on the best interest of California patients.</p>

Consumer advocates leave PUC, Governor picks Poizner, Grueneich

December 16, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>Their departures led consumer groups to wonder if the new members might skew toward business interests, but Schwarzenegger said in a statement that both would look to cut costs for everyone.</p>