Privacy

Senate Panel Backs Zettel for State Job;

August 12, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>The Democrat-led committee's approval of the Republican as consumer affairs director is a setback for some watchdog groups.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>"The new director of the Department of Consumer Affairs has no history of protecting consumers and in fact as an elected official fought against consumer rights on behalf of business interests," said Doug Heller, executive director of FTCR.</p>

They Can’t Stomach Drug-Firm Baloney

August 11, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>"People should not have to drive two hours, or take a train trip, or go on the Internet to buy drugs from another country," says Assemblyman Dario Frommer (D-Los Angeles), the author of two bills that would bring some relief.</p>

Former Poway assemblywoman one step closer to Consumer Affairs post

August 11, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Copley News Service</p> <p>Some consumer advocates attacked her record, claiming she fought financial privacy safeguards, beefing up car lemon laws and reining in lenders who prey on the poor.</p>

DMV comes out against rules for auto dealers;

August 11, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Critics see link to governor's campaign cash</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>"This is the way campaign contributions influence politics," said Doug Heller, with FTCR. "You've got your agency coming in, opposing a bill for, at best, kind of weak reasons, after you've received almost a million bucks from the folks who care so much."</p>

Committee approves Schwarzenegger’s consumer affairs pick

August 11, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>A Senate committee Wednesday approved Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger choice of former legislator Charlene Zettel to be the state's top consumer advocate despite protests from consumer groups that she had favored businesses over consumer interests.</p>

Questions Jay Leno Should Ask Arnold Tonight

August 7, 2004  ·  Jamie Court

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Jay Leno has a tradition of using viewer-contributed material on the air. In honor of Governor Schwarzenegger's return to Leno tonight to mark the one year anniversary of his historic...</font>

ARNOLD’S FIRST YEAR GARNERS MIXED REVIEWS

August 5, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Daily News of Los Angeles</p> <p>Critics say Schwarzenegger's promise to sweep out the special interests in Sacramento essentially amounted to sweeping out Democratic special interests such as unions and attorneys in favor of Republican interests.</p>

Hiram Johnson He is Not

August 5, 2004  ·  Doug Heller

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Ever the audacious governor, Arnold compared himself yesterday to California's most important Constitutional reformer, Governor Hiram Johnson. "Johnson did not call the lobbyists or the...</font>

Schwarzenegger ‘slush fund’ hides political spending

August 4, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>In May, the nonprofit FTCR filed an appeal with the IRS challenging the corporation's tax exempt status, noting that it is controlled by Schwarzenegger, run by his staff, and is used for political purposes. The fund was incorporated as a social welfare or</p>

HMO-ing Government

August 4, 2004  ·  Jamie Court

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">The plan submitted by the Governor's California Performance Review will not streamline government, but in many cases decapitate it.<br/> <br/> Case in point is the recommendation to allow the...</font>

Governor raises $17 million in 6 months

August 1, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>Figures provided to us by the nonpartisan Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights -- which tracked $14.8 million in contributions reported since Schwarzenegger presented the state's new budget Jan. 10 -- pretty much turned up the usual list of specia</p>

Kaiser: Profit up, members are flat

July 31, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Alameda Times-Star (Alameda, CA)</p> <p>"Patients don't want an advertising campaign, they want lower premiums," said Jerry Flanagan with FTCR, adding that the $40 million is enough money to insure 4,500 California families,</p>