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Report | PennPIRG Education Fund and Demos | Health Care

Pennsylvania lives at risk

The United States Congress is currently considering so-called “regulatory reform” legislation that would add new bureaucratic hurdles to stall and, in some cases, stop the creation of new safeguards and standards that hold corporations accountable and protect the public. According to our analysis, the result would be demonstrable harm for the people of Pennsylvania.

Blog Post | Democracy

MAKING SUPER PACS ILLEGAL | Alana Miller

A new Washington Post- ABC News poll shows that almost 7 out of 10 voters believe that super PACs, the independent expenditure only committees created in the wake of the Supreme Court’s disastrous Citizens United decision, should be illegal. Super PACs are not responsible for all problems with American democracy, however, they do amplify those troubles so it is no surprise that the public is crying out in opposition to them.

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Blog Post | Consumer Protection

DON’T FREEZE OUR PUBLIC HEALTH AND CONSUMER SAFETY PROTECTIONS | Alana Miller

Last year, in the 175 days that the U.S. House of Representatives was in session, it passed more than 190 anti-regulatory bills. Putting profits over public safety and they are still at it. Next up is H.R. 4078, the “Regulatory Freeze for Jobs Act of 2012,” a bill that wrongly calls for a halt on all public health and consumer safety protections until the unemployment rate reaches six percent. The House Judiciary Committee is expected to mark up the bill today, Tuesday, March 20.

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Blog Post | Consumer Protection

50 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK, JFK USHERED IN MODERN CONSUMER PROTECTION ERA Alana Miller Ed Mierzwinski

People of almost any age know a lot about the Kennedy administration with its optimistic beginnings and its sudden, tragic end. Yet many have probably never heard of one of JFK's important legacies -- his declaration that consumers have rights that deserve protection.

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Report | PennPIRG Education Fund | Budget

Following the Money 2012

The ability to see how government uses the public purse is fundamental to democracy. Transparency in government spending promotes fiscal responsibility, checks corruption, and bolsters public confidence.

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Media Hit | Budget, Transportation

Essential Public Radio: Research Group Cautions About Red Light Cameras

With the state legislature debating possible expansion of red light cameras from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh and 18 other Pennsylvania cities, Pennsylvania Public Interest Research Group (PennPIRG) warns of their ineffectiveness.

News Release | Budget, Transportation

New Report Outlines Problems with Red-Light and Speed Cameras

(Philadelphia, PA) – A new research report released today outlines problems with the growing trend among cities to outsource traffic enforcement to red-light and speed camera vendors.

Media Hit | Transportation

Patriot-News: Are red-light cameras worth the money?

A bill that would allow Harrisburg and 18 other cities to install cameras at red lights passed the state Senate on Tuesday.

Media Hit | Budget, Transportation

Post-Gazette: Group urges caution on cameras for red light enforcement

A public interest group today issued a report recommending that governments exercise caution in deploying automated red-light enforcement cameras at intersections.

Media Hit | Budget, Transportation

Central Penn Business Journal: Judge privatization panel on results, supporters say

Sometime toward the end of the month, Gov. Tom Corbett's newly appointed privatization council is expected to convene for its first meeting. When it does, it will have a broad mandate. Members will look across "the entire spectrum of state functions" to find potential savings, Corbett spokesman Kevin Harley said.

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Report | PennPIRG Education Fund

Facts About Toll Road Privatization

Across Pennsylvania, cash-strapped governments are struggling to plug gaping holes in their budgets, scarred by the impacts of the economic crisis. At the same time, Pennsylvania's roads and bridges remain congested and in desperate need of repair. This is PennPIRG's fact sheet about the effects of Toll Road Privatization.

Report | PennPIRG Education Fund

Facts About Toll Road Privatization

Across Pennsylvania, cash-strapped governments are struggling to plug gaping holes in their budgets, scarred by the impacts of the economic crisis. At the same time, Pennsylvania's roads and bridges remain congested and in desperate need of repair. This is PennPIRG's fact sheet about the effects of Toll Road Privatization.

Report | PennPIRG Education Fund | Consumer Protection

Trouble in Toyland

In 2008, Congress responded to an unprecedented wave of recalls of toys and other children’s products by passing the first major overhaul of the Consumer Product Safety Commission since it was established during the Nixon Administration.

By passing the landmark Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) in August 2008, Congress not only expanded the agency’s budget, it also gave the CPSC more tools to hold corporate wrongdoers accountable and speed recalls, moved toward banning toxic lead and phthalates except in trace amounts, and greatly improved import surveillance.

Report | PennPIRG

Pennsylvania Small Businesses at Risk

America’s small businesses stand at the forefront of innovation. Our entrepreneurs are the first to adopt new technologies and take new approaches in old industries. As engines of job creation, small businesses are the leading edge that pushes our economy forward. They are also, unfortunately, on the front lines of the health care crisis.

Report | PennPIRG Education Fund and Media and Democracy Coalition | Consumer Protection

A Public Interest Internet Agenda

Connecting our entire nation via high-speed broadband will bring remarkable economic, social, cultural, personal, and other benefits. Robust economic development, job creation, improved health care at lower costs, enhanced educational opportunities, increased homeland security and public safety, reduced energy consumption and pollution, a reinvigorated democracy and more open government – these are just a few of the benefits that will flow from our nation linking its entire population to the Internet at broadband speed.

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Protect Penn. From Toxic Accidents

This accident in Paulsboro, N.J., was a sobering reminder of the threat of toxic accidents. Tell the EPA: protect our communities from toxic threats.

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STOP TAX DODGERS

Corporate tax avoidance cost Pennsylvanians $4.4 billion last year. PennPIRG is working to close the loopholes that allow companies to avoid paying the taxes they owe.

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Reclaim Democracy

The Supreme Court's Citizens United decision ushered in an era of unprecedented spending by big money in our elections, but we're working to return our democracy back to the principle of "one person, one vote."

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Add your voice
How Many Tax Dollars In A Twinkie?

Every year, more than a billion taxpayer dollars subsidize high-fructose corn syrup and other key ingredients in junk food at a time when 1 in 3 kids is overweight or obese.

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Priority Action

The vinyl chloride spill in Paulsboro, N.J., was a sobering reminder of the threat of toxic spills. Tell the EPA: Keep our communities safe from toxic accidents.

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