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Blog Post | Financial Reform

CFPB announces major investigation of bank overdraft fee practices | Diane E. Brown

Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will announce overdraft fee investigation, unveil "penalty box" disclosure, and possibly end $39 lattes.

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News Release | Arizona PIRG Education Fund | Budget

Watchdog Group Gives Some Praise, Suggestions for Transparency in Commerce Authority

One year after Governor Jan Brewer signed legislation officially creating the Arizona Commerce Authority, the Arizona PIRG Education Fund examined the transparency and accountability of the Commerce Authority thus far.

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News Release | Arizona PIRG Education Fund | Consumer Protection

State, Federal Settlement of Robo-Signing Claims With Big Banks Is Important Step

The settlement by the U.S., Attorney General Horne and 48 other state attorneys general with the five biggest mortgage servicers is an important and enforceable first step toward holding the big banks accountable for not only wrecking the economy but using a variety of unfair foreclosure practices to ruin the lives of millions of Americans and, in many cases, taking their homes illegally.

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Report | Arizona PIRG Education Fund | Safe Energy

Too Close To Home

In the United States, 49 million Americans receive their drinking water from surface sources located within 50 miles of an active nuclear power plant – inside the boundary the Nuclear Regulatory Commission uses to assess risk to food and water supplies.

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News Release | Arizona PIRG Education Fund | Democracy

Thirty Fortune 500 Companies Paid More to Lobby Congress than to Federal Income Taxes

With the second anniversary approaching of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in the Citizens United case – which opened the floodgates to corporate spending on elections – the Arizona PIRG Education Fund and Citizens for Tax Justice revealed 30 corporations that spent more to lobby Congress than they did in taxes.

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News Release | Arizona PIRG Education Fund | Safe Energy

Tragedy in Japan a Terrifying Reminder of the Risks of Nuclear Power

Our hearts go out to the people of Japan, who have had their lives torn apart by the recent earthquake and the tsunami that followed. Based on recent news coverage, significant releases of radioactivity have already occurred and more are possible. The impact that the radiation releases could have on human health and the environment could be catastrophic. The crisis in Japan is a sobering reminder that nuclear power is inherently dangerous.

 

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News Release | Arizona PIRG Education Fund | Budget

Arizona Earns an A-minus in Government Spending Transparency

Arizona received an A-minus 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 Arizona Public Interest Research Group (Arizona PIRG).  Included with the report is an interactive online tool that allows users to view how Arizona what is doing compared to other states’ transparency practices.

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News Release | Arizona PIRG Education Fund | Safe Energy

Salt River Project (SRP) Board Votes in Favor of Expanding Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Programs

Last fall, Salt River Project (SRP) agreed to postpone its proposed rate hike due to significant concerns about the size of the increase and SRP’s limited investments in energy efficiency and clean renewable energy.  Since that time, groups including the Arizona PIRG Education Fund asked ratepayers to send SRP the message that it should focus more on increased energy efficiency.  Today the SRP voted to approve the increase in energy efficiency and renewable energy investments.

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News Release | Arizona PIRG Education Fund | Transportation

Obama Budget Seeks Major Boost in Transportation Investment

Statement of Serena Unrein, Public Interest Advocate for the Arizona PIRG Education Fund, on the Obama administration’s FY 2012 transportation budget proposal, which includes a major increase in transportation funding and an $8 billion annual investment in high-speed rail.

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News Release | Arizona PIRG Education Fund | Transportation

Bold New Federal High-Speed Rail Plan Can Bring Benefits to Arizona

Statement of Serena Unrein, Public Interest Advocate for the Arizona PIRG Education Fund, on Vice President Joseph Biden and Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood’s announcement that the administration plans to invest $53 billion over the next six years in high-speed rail.

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Report | Arizona PIRG Education Fund | Consumer Protection

Trouble in Toyland 2006

According to the most recent data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), almost 73,000 children under the age of five were treated in emergency rooms for toy-related injuries in 2005. Twenty children died from toy-related injuries last year.

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Report | Arizona PIRG Education Fund | Safe Energy

Renewing Arizona's Economy

The report documents the economic development potential of renewable energy (such as solar and wind power) in Arizona, focusing on how investing in renewable energy will lead to jobs and increased economic output. In addition, the report examines how renewable energy can save water and improve public health. The report comes as the Arizona Corporation Commission is considering an increase to the state's Environmental Portfolio Standard.

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Report | Arizona PIRG Education Fund | Consumer Protection

Arizona's Food Safety Net

Protecting the safety and integrity of the food supply is one of the oldest functions of government, one that the American people expect their government to perform and perform well.

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Report | Arizona PIRG Education Fund | Consumer Protection

Trouble in Toyland 2005

“While we can report substantial progress after 20 years of advocacy on behalf of America’s littlest consumers, we are still finding trouble in toyland,” said Diane E. Brown, Executive Director of the Arizona PIRG Education Fund.

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Report | Arizona PIRG Education Fund | Consumer Protection

The Right Start

Toxic chemicals can be found in common baby products, according to a new report released today by the Arizona PIRG Education Fund. “The Right Start: The Need to Eliminate Toxic Chemicals from Baby Products” documents toxic chemicals, including phthalates and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), in teethers, bath books, and sleep accessories.

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  • Fighting Unjustified Premium Hikes
    It’s time for health insurers to get serious about lowering the cost of care instead of raising deductibles and hiking premiums.
    Read Our Report
  • Bringing Passenger Rail to Arizona
    Find out how Arizona can bring passenger rail to our state with policies that utilize private capital and expertise while protecting the public interest.
    Get the report
  • Building an Energy Efficient Arizona
    Arizona is at an energy crossroad — with a dirty past and the chance for a clean energy future. Read how Arizona can improve efficiency, reduce pollution and save money.
    Get the report
  • Arizona Earned a B for transparency
    States across the country have been moving toward making their checkbooks transparent by creating online transparency portals. See how Arizona stacks up to other states.
    Get the Report

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