As Secret Deals Probe Looms, PUC Urges Less Government Transparency

Submitted by Eddie Barrera on Mon, 07/06/2015 - 10:06

Only in California would discussions about curtailing the public’s ability to monitor state and local government include a state commission accused of secret backroom deals. 

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Blue Shield Targets Profit Over Public Good, Tax Board Says

Submitted by Eddie Barrera on Sun, 07/05/2015 - 10:44
Blue Shield of California's $4 billion reserves and an executive mandate to increase profits are some of the reasons the California Franchise Tax Board gave in a June 2014 audit that revoked the insurance company's tax-exempt status. 
 

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State Commission Given Evidence Oil Refiners Artificially Hiking Gas Prices

Submitted by Cody Rosenfield on Tue, 06/30/2015 - 11:58
California Energy Commission data reveals that a recent and sustained 30 cents gap between what price oil refiners sell gas to their branded stations and the price they offered to independent stations is unprecedented statewide. 
 
Over the last 16 years, the difference averaged three cents, according to a Consumer Watchdog analysis. Branded stations must buy gas at whatever price a refiner sets.
 

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Cushy Corporate Alliances Don't Cushion Downfall of Top SEIU Official

Submitted by Jamie Court on Thu, 06/25/2015 - 10:03

In the labor movement, there are two kinds of leaders -- those who fight big corporations, and those who collaborate with them. The poster child for the collaborators just had half his membership taken away.

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Covered California Transparency Stops at Rate Hike Proposals

Submitted by Eddie Barrera on Tue, 06/23/2015 - 15:07

Despite a health exchange deadline last week, Covered California has opted to keep proposed rates hikes secret. As part of federal requirements, state health exchanges must post all "proposed rates increases" on their websites.
 

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DMV Finally Releases Self-Driving Cars Accident Reports

Submitted by John Simpson on Thu, 06/18/2015 - 10:44

The California Department of Motor Vehicles has reversed its policy and today said it would release accident reports about crashes involving self-driving cars that are being tested on public roads. Google is testing the most robot cars on California’s roads.

As of May 15, the most recent data provided by the DMV shows the Internet giant is testing 23 cars and has 180 drivers.

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