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News Release | Democracy

New Report Details Latest Numbers on Outside Spending, Secret Money, and Super PAC Fundraising for 2012 Elections

WASHINGTON – The Top 5 “dark money” spenders on presidential election ads have reported less than 1% of their spending to the FEC, which is all that is required by the agency’s insufficient standards, according to a new report analyzing the latest campaign filings.

Today, national public policy organizations Demos and U.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG) released “Million-Dollar Megaphones: Super PACs and Unlimited Outside Spending in the 2012 Elections,” which provides a detailed analysis of Federal Election Commission (FEC) data and secondary sources on outside spending and Super PAC fundraising for the 2012 election cycle.

News Release | Democracy

Florida Victory for Young People

Tallahassee, FL – Civic groups and Florida voters won a huge victory when a federal judge indicated he will permanently remove some of the most restrictive parts of Florida’s new voter registration laws, which have made it harder for student governments and civic groups to help register young people to vote.

News Release | Maryland PIRG

Ag Subsidies Pay for 21 Twinkies per Taxpayer, But Only Half of an Apple Apiece

Federal subsidies for commodity crops are subsidizing junk food additives like high fructose corn syrup, enough to pay for 21 Twinkies per taxpayer every year, according to Maryland PIRG’s new report, Apples to Twinkies 2012. Meanwhile, limited subsidies for fresh fruits and vegetables would buy one half of an apple per taxpayer.

Blog Post | Higher Ed

New Financial Aid Shopping Sheet Helps Students Know Before They Owe | Jenny Levin

Students have a tool to help them avoid student loan debt: the new financial aid shopping sheet, a simple form explaining the costs, financing options, and loan options for prospective students.

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Report | Maryland PIRG Foundation | Budget, Food, Tax

Apples to Twinkies 2012:

At a time when America is facing an obesity epidemic, crushing debt and a weak economy, billions of taxpayer dollars are subsidizing junk food ingredients. In this report, we find that in 2011, over $1.28 billion in taxpayer subsidies went to junk food ingredients, bringing the total to a staggering $18.2 billion since 1995.

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News Release | Health Care

Consumer Group Calls for New Competitive Health Care Marketplace

Maryland policy-makers can address rising health care costs by implementing an effective health insurance exchange, according to a report released today by consumer advocacy group Maryland PIRG Foundation.

News Release | Safe Energy

Nuclear Power: Not Worth the Risk

A new report released today by the Maryland Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) documents a history of safety problems at nuclear reactors in the United States. These incidents – like the crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant in Japan – illustrate that nuclear power carries with it risks that are simply not worth taking.

News Release | Budget, Financial Reform

Maryland Earns “C” in Annual Report on Transparency of Government Spending

Maryland got a “C” when it comes to openness about government spending, according to "Following the Money 2011: How the States Rank on Providing Online Access to Government Spending Data," the second annual report of its kind by the Maryland Public Interest Research Group (Maryland PIRG).

News Release | Transportation

Do Roads Pay for Themselves?

A new report released today by the Maryland Public Interest Research Group disproves the common misperception that road-building is paid for by user fees, showing that gas taxes cover barely half the costs of building and maintaining roads, a fraction which is likely to fall steadily.

News Release | Consumer Protection

Many Toys Still Toxic, Hazardous

Dangerous or toxic toys can still be found on America’s store shelves, Maryland Public Interest Research Group announced today in its 25th annual Trouble in Toyland report.

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Report | Health Care

Making the Grade

When it comes to health care, there are few magic-bullet solutions for the many problems consumers face in the marketplace: insurers don’t compete for their business, leading to higher prices and lower quality. Yet there are policy solutions that can make a difference and give consumers a better deal on health care.

Report | Maryland PIRG Foundation | Budget

Caution: Red Light Cameras Ahead

Privatized traffic law enforcement should be used solely as a tool for enhancing traffic safety – not as a cash cow for municipalities or private firms.

Report | Maryland PIRG Foundation | Safe Energy

A Smart Solution

Maryland electricity consumers are beginning to reap the benefits of the state’s ambitious efforts to improve energy efficiency and measures to cut peak demand. Consumers are saving money and avoiding paying for expensive new infrastructure projects, while employers have been able to increase their competitiveness and hire new staff.

Report | Maryland PIRG Foundation | Budget, Tax

Tax-Increment Financing

Tax-increment financing (TIF) has been a widely used tool for municipalities seeking private investment. When used properly, TIF can promote enduring growth and stronger communities for blighted neighborhoods; but TIF can also end up wasting taxpayer resources or channeling money to politically favored special interests.

Report | Maryland PIRG Foundation | Safe Energy

Falling Behind on Energy Efficiency

Maryland has a great deal to gain from smart investments in improved energy efficiency. Energy efficiency can address many of the problems the state faces from high electricity use, including high energy bills, pollution, and reliability issues, while boosting the economy.

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Growing Up Toxic

A growing body of research demonstrates the link between toxic chemicals and serious health burdens, including cancer and learning disabilities, especially in young children.

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PROTECT YOURSELF

We've created consumer tips to help protect you from unfair bank fees, identity theft, loan rip-offs and more.

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GET THE BEST DEAL ON HEALTH INSURANCE

Maryland Health Connection, the new health insurance marketplace, could save you time and money.

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Saving Energy and Saving Money

Our report found that Marylanders are beginning to reap the benefits of the state’s ambitious efforts to improve energy efficiency and measures to cut peak demand.

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