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Consumer Watchdog

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Consumer Watchdog investigations and advocacy on data privacy, surveillance, AI, and your right to control your personal information.
High-rolling politicians leave public out of loop

High-rolling politicians leave public out of loop

<p class="source">Observer-Dispatch (Utica, NY)</p> <p>"The only interest banks and others on Wall Street have in giving money to Arnold Schwarzenegger is to make more money by floating more bonds or to get a chit for when they have some business before the state," said Jamie Court.</p>
Demos endorse Props. 57, 58;

Demos endorse Props. 57, 58;

<h3>STATE PARTY BACKS GOVERNOR'S MARCH 2 BUDGET-BALANCING PLAN</h3><p class="source">San Jose Mercury News (California)</p> <p>FTCR argued Tuesday that the governor is skirting the intention of Proposition 208. The 1996 voter-approved measure requires that ads for or against ballot initiatives name "any person whose cumulative contributions" are $50,000 or more.</p>
A Son Crusades for Mom;

A Son Crusades for Mom;

<h3>Chant Yedalian lost his mother to breast cancer, then went to law school to pursue a legal battle against her HMO, which says it did all it could.</h3><p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Jamie Court, president of FTCR in Santa Monica, says that "bottom line, this could mean that a very determined son has found an escape hatch for the private justice system that has never worked appropriately for patients."</p>
Group Urges Schwarzenegger to Cancel New York Fund-Raiser

Group Urges Schwarzenegger to Cancel New York Fund-Raiser

<p class="source">San Jose Mercury News (California)</p> <p>FTCR called on Schwarzenegger to cancel the fundraiser to remove any perception that the governor might not aggressively pursue $1.3 billion that federal auditors estimate that pharmaceutical companies owe California for Medi-Cal drug reimbursements.</p>
Brother, Can You Spare $500,000?

Brother, Can You Spare $500,000?

<p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Polls say a majority of Californians are turning thumbs down to Schwarzenegger's $15-billion bond proposal, which will cost us billions more in interest. But he figures if he can raise $9 million for an ad campaign, we'll march to the polls like sheep</p>
Governor goes fund raising despite pledge of reform

Governor goes fund raising despite pledge of reform

<p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>Nearly a month after the new governor introduced his budget, Arnold continues to jet around the state and the nation, seeking campaign donations of up to $500,000 apiece, becoming the most aggressive fund-raising governor in California's history.</p>
Editorial: Truly unmitigated

Editorial: Truly unmitigated

<h3>Schwarzenegger, alas, puts Davis to shame</h3><p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>If Davis had tried such a stunt, he would have been run out of Sacramento even sooner than he was. Schwarzenegger apparently assumes he can get away with it.</p>
Big donations sparking calls for state reform;

Big donations sparking calls for state reform;

<h3>GOVERNOR'S POLITICAL COMMITTEES RAISING LARGE, UNREGULATED SUMS</h3><p class="source">San Jose Mercury News (California)</p> <p>"He's completely blown a hole in any moral credibility he had by coming into Sacramento and raising this kind of money," said Doug Heller, senior consumer advocate for the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.</p>