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Consumer Watchdog investigations and advocacy on data privacy, surveillance, AI, and your right to control your personal information.
Budget battle cries

Budget battle cries

<p class="source">The Orange County Register</p> <p>"The real truth is that Schwarzenegger is like all the other politicians chasing the money," said Doug Heller, executive director of the Foundation of Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.</p>
Out to Lunch

Out to Lunch

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Arnold missed the vote on the budget in the Capitol today, deciding instead to meet with San Diegans for lunch at a Cheesecake Factory restaurant. An Arnold Watcher informs us that many of the...</font>
Both sides lashing out at special interests;

Both sides lashing out at special interests;

<h3>What they are is tied to who's talking</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>"He's up to his hips in mud while calling all the other politicians pigs," said Doug Heller, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, which runs a Web site called ArnoldWatch.org that tracks the governor's fund-raising.</p>
A Budget Coup d’Etat

A Budget Coup d’Etat

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">In a press conference this evening to explain the budget stalemate, Arnold repeatedly blamed special interests for getting in the way of resolution. It was exactly these kinds of distractions...</font>
Toxic Removal from the CalEPA

Toxic Removal from the CalEPA

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">As more comes to light about Arnold's environmental decisions (as opposed to his green-friendly promises) the green luster is starting to fade. Arnold has decided to cut regulatory fees on...</font>
Hired firm out of line with governor’s job pledge

Hired firm out of line with governor’s job pledge

<p class="source">Pasadena Star-News (Pasadena, CA)</p> <p>"Schwarzenegger has signed a contract with a company that specializes in sending local jobs overseas," said Doug Heller, executive director of FTCR. "It completely contradicts the battle the governor has waged to keep jobs in California."</p>
Terminating U.S. jobs?

Terminating U.S. jobs?

<p class="source">CNN.com</p> <p>Jamie Court, author of "Corporateering," told me that no state should be legitimizing a taxpayer-paid bounty to a company wishing to send jobs abroad.</p>
Car dealers don’t give public a fair deal

Car dealers don’t give public a fair deal

<p class="source">Marketplace - National Public Radio</p> <p>Car dealers routinely force buyers to sign away their 7th Amendment right to trial in favor of binding arbitration to settle any dispute. California car dealers raised nearly $5 million for ballot initiative Prop 64 this November that seeks to gut the sta</p>
Car dealers don’t give public a fair deal

Car dealers don’t give public a fair deal

<!-- excerpt --><p>Car dealers routinely force buyers to sign away their Seventh Amendment right to trial in favor of binding arbitration to settle any dispute. California car dealers raised nearly $5 million for ballot initiative Prop 64 this November that seeks to gut the</p>
Who Cut the Cheese?

Who Cut the Cheese?

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">On Friday, the state's Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) took a big step toward limiting the corrosive influence of money on politicians when it approved a landmark regulation to extend...</font>
‘Walk week’ in the Capitol

‘Walk week’ in the Capitol

<p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>It was deadline week for Senate bills to make it out of Assembly committees. For some legislators, it made for a busy week of deliberation and voting. However, for many -- too many -- last week was a time to duck the tough issues.</p>