Consumer Watchdog

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Consumer Watchdog

Privacy

Consumer Watchdog investigations and advocacy on data privacy, surveillance, AI, and your right to control your personal information.
Some Taxpayers Don’t Owe a Penny;

Some Taxpayers Don’t Owe a Penny;

<h3>A law intended to close a loophole that let the wealthy avoid taxes is increasingly snaring middle-class earners.</h3><p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>"It's simply outrageous that we're continuing tax credits for the wealthy when we're talking about cutting services, cutting health care, cutting education," said Carmen Balber, a consumer advocate with the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights</p>
Davis rewards staffers;

Davis rewards staffers;

<h3>Governor hires former campaign workers</h3><p class="source">San Jose Mercury News</p> <p>In the four months since Gray Davis won re-election, the Democratic governor has rewarded at least 17 former campaign workers with state jobs -- many with generous raises -- even as California prepares to lay off hundreds of state workers.</p>
Davis’ Election Aides Get State Jobs;

Davis’ Election Aides Get State Jobs;

<h3>At least 21 who helped the governor have won new posts, promotions.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>At least 21 of the governor's campaign workers have been either hired into new state jobs or have received promotions despite the current hiring freeze and a call by Davis to cut half a billion dollars annually out of salary and benefit packages</p>
TELECOM – Peevey conflict of interest

TELECOM – Peevey conflict of interest

<p class="source">Communications Daily</p> <p>Despite a conflict-of-interest cloud raised by consumer advocates, the Cal. Senate is scheduled to vote next week on whether to confirm Cal. PUC President Michael Peevey's March 2002 appointment to the agency.</p>
Legislators live high in land of the freebie

Legislators live high in land of the freebie

<p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>According to economic interest statements filed this week with the Fair Political Practices Commission, the Legislature's 120 members reported accepting more than $178,000 in gifts last year.</p>
Despite admission, PUC leader backed

Despite admission, PUC leader backed

<p class="source">San Jose Mercury News</p> <p>At the hearing, consumer advocate Doug Heller said Peevey had broken the public's trust by taking the improper gifts and urged the committee to reject his appointment.</p>
Transplant case stirs malpractice questions

Transplant case stirs malpractice questions

<p class="source">Knoxville News-Sentinel</p> <p>Bill Frist, the only physician in the U.S. Senate, is hoping that his years of work to reform medical malpractice liability is not crushed by the death of 17-year-old botched transplant victim Jesica Santillan.</p>