Privacy

Election funding limits added;

June 26, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Some say new rules on ballot initiatives could fetter governor.</h3><p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>Doug Heller of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights said how well the regulations work will come down to how well the commission enforces them.</p>

Campaign cop limits donations to candidates’ ballot issue funds

June 25, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>California's campaign watchdog voted Friday to limit the size of donations to candidate-controlled ballot measure committees, closing a loophole that's enabled Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to raise millions of dollars in six-figure contributions.</p>

Anthem offers merger concessions;

June 25, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>California issues demands on execs' compensation, Blue's profits</h3><p class="source">The Indianapolis Star</p> <p>California regulators may demand further concessions from Anthem before approving its takeover of WellPoint's California business, said Jerry Flanagan, consumer advocate for the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, a California nonprofit</p>

Governor Schwarzenegger’s lawyer writes FPPC to oppose limits on campaign contributions

June 23, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

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BUSH SWITCHES POSITION ON HMOs — ON THE RECORD

June 22, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">United Press International</p> <p>FTCR wrote to Bush: Ironically, you, the Supreme Court, and congressional representatives can use state laws to hold your HMOs accountable, but the victims of HMOs who work for private sector employers have no remedy because of your action with the court.</p>

Schwarzenegger rakes in funds from special interests;

June 21, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>California governor has collected $12 million in contributions</h3><p class="source">The Oakland Tribune (Oakland, CA)</p> <p>Doug Heller of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights says the connection between an administration and its contributors can't always be traced to a specific bill or budget item.</p>

Governor gets cash at record pace

June 20, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>Doug Heller of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights says the connection between an administration and its contributors can't always be traced to a specific bill or budget item.</p>

Calpers To Oppose WellPoint Merger With Anthem

June 15, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Wall Street Journal</p> <p>The California officials at the press conference said they would ask the department of managed health care to make approval of the merger conditioned on the elimination of the "excessive compensation packages."</p>

PRIVACY PACKAGE PUSHED;

June 14, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>LAWMAKERS AIM TO SHIELD INTERNET, CELL USERS</h3><p class="source">The Daily News of Los Angeles</p> <p>"There's never been a point in history when consumers were more at risk for invasions of privacy and identity theft," said Jerry Flanagan, a consumer advocate with the Santa Monica-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.</p>

WellPoint, Anthem union decried

June 13, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>CalPERS, Angelides denounce proposed merger</h3><p class="source">The Daily News of Los Angeles</p> <p>Health care premiums will be driven up to pay for executives' golden parachutes. That means there will be less money around to provide for patient care, said Jerry Flanagan, lead health care advocate for the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.</p>

CAL. GROUP ALLEGES ILLEGAL WIRELESS PRACTICES

June 9, 2004  ·  Harvey Rosenfield

<p class="source">Communications Daily</p> <p>The Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights filed a lawsuit in L.A. Superior Court charging wireless phones sold by T-Mobile, AT&T and Cingular contain software that prevents porting to other carriers. The suit charges this is a violation of Cal. consu</p>

Consumer Group Sues Cellphone Companies Over Locked Handsets;

June 8, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>T-Mobile, Cingular and AT&T Wireless are accused of trying to prevent customers from switching carriers.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>FTCR contends in its Los Angeles County Superior Court lawsuit that the practices of Cingular Wireless, AT&T Wireless Services Inc. & T-Mobile USA Inc. are "thwarting regulations" that allow customers to take their phone numbers with them when switching</p>