http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/ Dirty Money Watch is a project of The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. FTCR is a nationally-recognized, California-based, non-profit education and advocacy organization. Our job is to fight to protect your interests every day. We provide people with the facts, not propaganda. We hold the politicians and the special interests accountable when they endanger the public. en-us The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights (FTCR) Wednesday, 20 September 2006 10:34:00 GMT CMS 2.0 webmaster@consumerwatchdog.org 1 Politics http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1287 Technology giant and Big-Brother-emulator Hewlett-Packard just gave Arnold another $25K. That moves the snoopiest firm in Silicon Valley up to #31 on the list of biggest donors to the Gov, with $296,200 given to Arnold to date. Wednesday, 20 September 2006 10:34:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1287 Yesterday Chamber of Commerce Prez Allan Zaremberg, who Arnold Schwarzenegger once referred to as 'Moses" for leading him to power, charged at a Sacramento press conference that the California Nurses Association's real intention in.. Tuesday, 19 September 2006 05:19:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1287 Fabian Nœ–ez made an unusal appointment to the California stem cell institute's financial oversight committee. Prop 71 requires that ... Tuesday, 19 September 2006 10:33:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1287 DirtyMoneyWatch recently posted an item about the California prison guards' union and its $10 million endorsement of gubernatorial candidate Phil Angelides. From the response below, printed in Sacramento's Morning Report, we get... Thursday, 14 September 2006 05:14:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1287 Assembly Speaker (and new Prop 89 foe) Fabian Nœ–ez has more in common with the powerful California Teachers Association than shared consultant Gale Kaufman and joint opposition to Prop 89. Nœ–ez has... Thursday, 14 September 2006 04:37:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1287 Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez just announced his opposition to Prop 89, the Clean Elections Initiative. Not coincidentally, the campaign against the measure is being led by his chief political consultant, Gale Kaufman. Wednesday, 13 September 2006 05:32:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1287 Total political contributions year to date in California has now surpassed $300 million and $19,465.02 just flowed into... Monday, 11 September 2006 10:30:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1283 Secretary of State Bruce McPherson scheduled his campaign "reform" announcement this morning in the offices of the California Teachers Association (CTA). The CTA is one of the ringleaders of Sacramento anti-reformers that includes big money players that want to preserve the status quo and oppose Proposition 89. Friday, 08 September 2006 01:17:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1274 Arnold Schwarzenegger, who said he was going to clean up cash register politics, has now officially raised more than $100 million from special interest groups. Schwar... Thursday, 07 September 2006 05:19:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1278 Phil Angelides, his candidacy for governor flailing, faced a nasty choice this week: Accept the anti-Schwarzenegger endorsement of the prison guards' union or risk having their war chest and gutter-fighting... Thursday, 07 September 2006 05:16:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1278 One of the blessings of being a big corporation is that, with a little accounting magic and some clever tax shelters, you can report one profit figure to investors and another, (always lower) to the tax man. Thanks to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, that won't change. Thursday, 07 September 2006 04:28:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1276 SB 1489, approved by the legislature last week, would allow California's Attorney General to recoup the cost to taxpayers when he takes down a corporate crook like Enron. The bill is awaiting Arnold's signature. Its opponents have contributed $1.3 million to the gov Thursday, 07 September 2006 02:58:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1272 The power of the political dollar killed another consumer protection effort last week when cell phone companies got rid of AB 1010, a bill that would have guaranteed Californians the right to return a new cell phone for a limited time without being charged steep cancellation fees or other penalties. Wednesday, 06 September 2006 03:52:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1252 Because of the special-interest cash and influence that blanketed the Legislature in its last frenzied hours this week, California won't have: Flood-protection building restrictions (killed by the real estate development lobby) Any kind of reform plan for the state's chaotic prisons (killed in large part by the prison guards' lobby) Stronger price-gouging laws (killed by the oil lobby) ... Friday, 01 September 2006 01:59:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1246 Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is about to reach a great milestone of his political career: the $100 million mark in political contributions! His total as of today is $99,207,427, and the money is really pouring in as bills head for his desk to be signed or vetoed after the Legislature ends its session.... Thursday, 31 August 2006 03:28:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1244 Channel 89 was in the Capitol yesterday, filming lawmakers and lobbyists as they wrap up end of the session deals. Unfortunately, not everyone's so keen on the public knowing what's going on. The news crew was warned that they could be considered a "homeland security threat" for filming the democratic process in the Capitol... Thursday, 31 August 2006 10:07:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1237 When is a campaign contribution invisible to the public? When it's a "pledge" instead of a fat check. An investigation by the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights and the Orange County Register found that legislators who are holding scores of fund-raisers near the state Capitol (even as they rush to pass hundreds of bills) recorded very few contributions from these events. It turns out.... Wednesday, 30 August 2006 04:15:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1236 It can take a homeowner months--even years--to get all the permissions needed from a city to add a second story to a humble home. But to create what may be among the biggest gambling casinos in the world? Just a few days, if it's the Gov and the Legislature giving the go-ahead... Wednesday, 30 August 2006 03:17:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1230 Watch as Channel 89's own gum-shoe, Angela Mae, tries to crack the wall of lobbyists standing between the public and our elected officials. Tuesday, 29 August 2006 03:22:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1217 What did Jackie Goldberg, Simon Salinas, Joe Nation and Jay LaSuer ever do to AT&T? Every other Assemblymember got a campaign contribution this legislative session from the phone giant that steamrolled through the Capitol... Monday, 28 August 2006 05:42:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1209 Watch Video >> The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights today called upon state and federal regulators to adopt new temperature sensitive gasoline pump technology in response to an investigation by the Kansas City Star. Reporter Steve Everly... Monday, 28 August 2006 03:42:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1209 The millions of dollars that AT&T has poured into lobbying and campaign contributions in the last few months produced a huge jackpot in Sacramento this week. Friday, 25 August 2006 04:20:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1208 This just in from the Sacramento Bees Jim Sanders: the California Building Industry Association gave Senate Pro Tem Don Perata $500,000 just two days after Perata killed a bill vehemently opposed by the building industry... Friday, 25 August 2006 02:56:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1201 Watch Video: 89 cent doughnuts were for sale outside a $1500-a-plate "healthy breakfast of Krispy Kremes" fundraiser in Sacramento this morning, one of 18 events scheduled within blocks of the Capitol Wednesday... Thursday, 24 August 2006 08:23:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1192 As the California State Assembly prepares for a historic vote on universal health care (SB 840 - Kuehl), health insurers leading the opposition have contributed $3.7 million... Thursday, 24 August 2006 11:15:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1166 In a world where big busines campaign contributions didn't dominate the California Assembly, there would be little chance of defeating legislation requiring that corporations convicted of polluting, selling tobacco to minors,... Monday, 21 August 2006 09:56:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1166 Political corruption needed a super solution last night when the Bat Signal lit up a fundraiser for Governor Schwarzenegger in Sacramento. Batman joined the California Nurses Association to shine a light on the source of special... Friday, 18 August 2006 11:28:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1171 Want tickets to see the Sacramento Kings? Get your photo taken at the most political fundraisers being held in California's capitol city over the next two weeks, and they're yours. Friday, 18 August 2006 04:09:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1156 We dropped by Fred Sands' huge apricot-colored Italianate villa this morning to see if we could get in to his sale of the gov, or at least check out the people bidding. But Sands' double-gated Brentwood manse wasn't the open house we'd hoped. Thurssday, 17 August 2006 06:58:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1138 Fred Sands, the big Los Angeles realtor, has a new listing. Arnold Schwarzenegger will be up for bid at Sands' Brentwood home today for a luncheon fundraiser today collecting $22,300 checks for the Gov's reelection campaign. If you want... Thursday, 17 August 2006 02:55:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1117 There are more political fundraisers (Watch some exclusive interviews with lobbyists) in Sacramento today than there have ever been on a single day, as far as anyone can remember. Between 7:30 am 6:30 pm lobbyists and special interests will plunk an estimated $1 million in the pockets of politicians at the 22 fundraisers... Wednesday, 16 August 2006 03:55:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1108 If you want to know why Prop 89's campaign finance overhaul is so important, just take a peak at the 100 invitations sent to Sacramento lobbyists for fundraisers this month. They are posted... Wednesday, 16 August 2006 03:49:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1094 Governor Schwarzenegger announced recently he would be leading a business delegation to India to drum up biz with California. The Gov said his wife Maria Shriver convinced... Monday, 14 August 2006 03:48:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1087 Schwarzenegger-controlled campaign committees have now raked in more than $96.7 million. Lately the construction and development industry has been sending over dump trucks full of cash to thank Arnold for the biggest bond measures in... Friday, 11 August 2006 03:56:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1079 Mercury Insurance knows how to spread dirty money around Sacramento as well (that is, as badly) as anyone. When the auto insurance giant wanted to grease Sacramento in order to pass legislation allowing the company to illegally surcharge certain low-income drivers, it distributed $1.2 million to 81 lawmakers...Now, Mercury Insurance contributed $100,000 to the No on 89 campaign and company CEO George Joseph personally kicked in another $100,000. Friday, 11 August 2006 01:28:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1071 Money buys direct influence and access in California politics. That hasn't been a dirty little secret for a long time. Only when it's over the top - like the 100 fundraisers scheduled in Sacramento this month - does anyone even raise an eyebrow. Thursday, 10 August 2006 01:56:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1069 Drug companies are increasing their financial contributions to Democrats in the hopes of passing a placebo of reform that will take the pressure off the push for real affordability. In the months leading up to Governor Schwarzenegger's announcement that he would work with Democratic... Wednesday, 9 August 2006 04:13:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1060 There may be no better case for Prop 89's clean money reforms than Greg Lucas's reporting this morning in the San Francisco Chronicle. Lucas reports legislators are cramming 75 fundraisers into the last 19 days of session. Wednesday, 9 August 2006 10:58:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1050 Today Arnold Schwarzenegger granted the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians the right to open three new casinos with 5,000 slot machines. The... Tuesday, 8 August 2006 04:08:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1048 The Gov shares one key value with his big money backers - they don't like taxes. Some of Arnold's billionaire contributors have been identified by a U.S. Senate probe as ... Tuesday, 8 August 2006 01:16:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1034 The Legislature is back in session today at work on a big agenda for the final month of the session. ...From the looks of it, it takes at least $1 million of dirty money to get anything done in Sacramento. Monday, 7 August 2006 02:58:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1033 This weekend the biggest donors in the Democratic party prevailed in preventing clean money advocates from winning a Democratic Party endorsement for Proposition 89. Frank Russo ... Monday, 7 August 2006 12:05:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1027 Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver are no doubt glowing today over the front page Los Angeles Times story about the Schwarzenegger re-election campaign picking up endorsements of Democratic Hollywood moguls Steven Spielberg, Jeffey Katzenberg and Haim Saban. Then there's the story buried deeper in the paper that should make Sargent Shriver shiver... Saturday, 5 August 2006 08:57:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1026 This weekend at the Crowne Plaza in Burlingame California the California Democratic Party executive committee will decide whether to oppose or support Proposition 89's campaign finance overhaul. 89 is being opposed by some of the... Friday, 4 August 2006 01:57:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1023 As the Associated Press just reported minutes ago, "In a break with some of his party's most influential supporters, Democratic... Thursday, 3 August 2006 11:51:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1018 California's largest HMOs, health insurers, and their lobbying associations spent nearly $1 million in political contributions to California politicians and political action committees since January 1... Tuesday, 2 August 2006 01:31:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1017 According to mid-year reports due to the Secretary of State yesterday, drug company political spending topped $1 million for the first half of 2006. The companies gave directly to democrat and republican candidates alike and... Tuesday, 2 August 2006 10:02:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1015 Yesterday, Arnold Schwarzenegger reported having raised $19 million from big money donors during the first half of the year. That's a far cry from his 2003 call for reform on the steps of the railroad museum in... Monday, 31 July 2006 02:44:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1012 If Prop 89 is passed by the voters in November, one of its side benefits will be an across the board drop in the amount of money spent on political fundraising in California ... Assembly Speaker Nunez's ballot measure committee paid $226,785 to RPMC Europe Limited for fundraising... Monday, 31 July 2006 01:16:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1014 Chevron, which recorded record quarterly profits last week at the expense of California motorists, invested a chunk of our money in the company's two favorite Sacramento boosters: the Republican and Democratic parties. Monday, 31 July 2006 01:05:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=1011 The money lining up against the Tobacco tax initiative Prop 86 is smokin'. Phillip Morris has kicked in $926,000 and, in a separate account, PM's competitor RJ Reynolds added another $500,000. Monday, 31 July 2006 01:05:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=992 $42 billion in infrastructure bonds - all of which would mean a huge jump in construction in the state - head to the ballot this November, and builders, contractors, developers and other participants in the contracting world are lining up to say "Thanks, Arnold!" Tuesday, 1 August 2006 11:57:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=991 Today is the deadline for every donor in California politics to report where the money went for the first half of the year. Every dollar reported today can be found on the Secretary of State's website, and most of those dollars are aimed at getting a specific result out of lawmakers... Monday, 31 July 2006 17:03:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=990 Fear itself. Fear that their ideas are not as powerful as their money. Two of the most prolific special interest campaign givers in Sacramento, the big business lobby and the California Teachers Association, gave up their... Monday, 31 July 2006 16:56:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=988 Chevron, the lead funder of opposition to the Clean Energy Initiative on California's November ballot (Proposition 87) with over $4 million spent so far, announced a 39% increase in domestic refining and marketing profits as part of a $4.4 billion quarterly profit - its highest one-quarter profit ever. Friday, 28 July 2006 15:26:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=965 According to campaign reports filed today by the Civil Justice Association's political action committee - a group funded by big tobacco, insurers and drug companies - the group spent $1,295,221 promoting and opposing candidates in the California June primary. Thursday, 27 July 2006 15:59:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=964 Assembly Speaker Nunez's AB 32 would be the first law in the nation to limit greenhouse gas emissions by industries. But the bill's opponents - including PG&E, the Chamber of Commerce, BP, the Grocers Association and the Farm Bureau - are among the governor's biggest contributors. These industries have given Arnold over $8.4 million... Thursday, 27 July 2006 14:07:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=957 California is beyond disaster with more than 50 deaths suspected to have been caused by the record heat. A wave of recent campaign spending has stymied all efforts to build an energy system capable of beating the heat... Wednesday, 26 July 2006 16:40:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=938 Nurses of the California Nurses Association and DirtyMoneyWatch.org advocates gathered around a broken down Hummer today outside of Governor Schwarzenegger's "health care affordability summit" to protest the influence of big... Monday, 24 July 2006 15:54:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=935 Governor Schwarzenegger and Treasurer Phil Angelides will face off on Monday over health care in Los Angeles at two competing events. A look at the drug company and health insurer money going to each candidate for governor this... Friday, 21 July 2006 15:18:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=932 California gubernatorial candidate Phil Angelides is reportedly holding an August 1st fundraiser with former President Clinton that mirrors the Schwarzenegger bashes with Bush Sr. yesterday in Brentwood and Hillsborough. Friday, 21 July 2006 11:18:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=930 Watch the video now available of today's Air Force 89 flight above the governor's fundraiser this morning, learn why Arnold doesn't like soap, and get some tips on how to try and crash a party if you don't have a spare $100K to get in. Thursday, 20 July 2006 16:58:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=929 Campaign finance reform advocates protested outside a Brentwood fundraiser for governor Schwarzenegger this morning as "Air Force 89," an airplane pulling a pulling a banner that read "Prop 89: End of the Line For Big Donors," circled above... Thursday, 20 July 2006 15:58:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=903 Election officials are still recounting ballots in the State Senate race between Assemblymen Rudy Bermudez and Ron Calderon. But Bermudez, the official loser who asked for the recount, is hedging his bets. He has already set up his fundraising committee "Bermudez for Assembly 2012." Tuesday, 18 July 2006 16:13:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=895 The governor has scheduled two hush-hush fundraisers in Los Angeles and San Francisco with President Bush Sr. on Thursday. "Platinum" donors will get to hob-nob with the ex-prez and take home six photos of themselves with Bush and the gov. Monday, 17 July 2006 17:15:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=883 Arnold has talked tough about prison reform since he took office, but the Strong Man's promises evaporated in 2006 when two successive corrections secretaries quit the job. Rod Hickman, who'd held the post for years, explicitly cited the prison guard union's influence over the administration as the reason for his departure. Thursday, 13 July 2006 13:44:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=788/ When Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez sold off $25,000 seats at the World Cup to finance a campaign committee, he said AT&T would not be buying since Nunez authored AT&T's pay-tv deregulation legislation and put his Speakership power behind its easy passage. (Of course that didn't stop AT&T from hosting an earlier Pebble Beach golf fundraiser for Nunez's Democrats that raised $1.7 million.) Tuesday, 11 July 2006 13:12:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=771/ Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's campaign committee agreed to pay a fine of $202,200 for breaking campaign finance laws during last November's special election. In the final months of the campaign, the committee refused to properly disclose $25 million in donations. Tuesday, 11 July 2006 12:51:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=777/ Democrat Don Perata, leader of the state Senate, and Republican majority leader Dick Ackerman, are termed out of office this year but they're still raising money. Both have opened campaign committees for the 2010 election for the Board of Equalization. Now, who would give the Senate's top Dem and top Rep a contribution for a 2010 race now? Oh, yeah, everyone! Tuesday, 11 July 2006 12:41:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=887/ There has been a lot of talk of the fundraiser that AT&T held for the Assembly Democrats at the famed Pebble Beach golf course earlier this year. But perusing the lobbying report of the Association of California Life and Health Insurance Companies (ACHLIC) from last fall is as astonishing. The party they threw at Pebble Beach last September must have been a real swinging time. Tuesday, 11 July 2006 11:04:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=779/ Loopholes have become the rule, not the exception, in California's campaign finance laws. One of the most popular political tricks is for politicians to use ballot measure committees to avoid contribution limits and raise unlimited funds. They then star in ads that ostensibly promote or oppose an initiative - but that really advance their own candidacies. Tuesday, 11 July 2006 10:55:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=861/ Arnold has always talked a good game about cleaning up cash register politics even as he has raised more campaign cash than any politician in California history. Now he has a chance to do something about the problem. Prop 89, on November's ballot, curbs the power of special interests and lobbyists by taking private money out of California politics. Tuesday, 11 July 2006 10:22:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=775/ The health insurance industry threw its weight around in the Assembly this season and pressured politicians to kill off key health care reforms through not voting. Monday, 10 July 2006 11:19:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=784/ Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi reported May 8 that the auto insurance industry had threatened through an intermediary to launch a 2.4 million dollar attack ad campaign against him unless he abandoned a good driver regulation to reduce the effect of where a driver lives on auto insurance rates. Monday, 10 July 2006 08:37:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=783/ When the state offered to take some of the agony out of tax season for thousands of low-income and elderly Californians by filling out their returns for them, the reaction was overwhelmingly positive... Friday, 7 July 2006 15:42:00 GMT http://www.dirtymoneywatch.org/article/?storyId=782/ A 2005 bill (AB 73) by Assemblyman Dario Frommer (D-Glendale) to aid Californians in buying cheaper prescription drugs from Canada and elsewhere was vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger... Friday, 7 July 2006 19:32:00 GMT