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Blog Post | Transportation

Five Factors Will Determine Whether TIFIA Will Fund Transit | Phineas Baxandall

Last week, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood hailed his department’s $545.9 million loan from the Transportation Infrastructure Finance Innovation Act (TIFIA) to construct Los Angeles’ 8.5 mile light rail transit line along the Crenshaw corridor. He touted it as “just one example of how DOT’s TIFIA credit assistance program extends the value of America's transportation dollar.” But will public transit financing really be the future of TIFIA?

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Media Hit

Young Voters Are Hurt by Outdated Registration Techniques, Not a Mystical "Enthusiasm Gap"

"This year, the Washington Bus joined forces with the Washington Student Association and Wash PIRG to run a giant, united young voter registration drive. All told, the Youth Vote Coalition registered the whopping sum of 14,357 young voters...This is a truly amazing number, and it was only possible because of the interest, energy and—yes—enthusiasm of young people in Washington State."

Result

14,357 Young Voters Registered

Washington Bus, Washington Student Association, WashPIRG student chapters ran Washington's largest youth voter registration drive.

Media Hit

Congress needs to overhaul Farm Bill to cut out Big Ag's pork

"Most Washington farmers see little of these subsidies, yet Washington taxpayers are still forced to contribute to these handouts regardless of our troublesome state budget deficit."

Read more here: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/09/20/2303093/congress-needs-to-overh...

Media Hit

Amend Terrible Farm Bill

"Farm bills, like Christmas trees, are often ornamented with so much tinsel it's hard to discern how exactly they hang together. Decorate an essential Department of Agriculture program (think Food Stamps) with billions in subsidies for major agribusinesses, and lawmakers are hit with a political gotcha: No rural development or food assistance without sugaring major corporations that then pocket (and profit) from taxpayer dinero."

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Media Hit | Budget, Tax

Forecast: State to take in $1.4 bil in fewer taxes

The state's tax revenues could come in as much as $1.4 billion lower than previously estimated, a number so big that state lawmakers will have to scramble to come up with a response to the worsening economic news.

News Release | WashPIRG | Budget

WashPIRG says “Enough’s enough; time to include loopholes and subsidies in ‘all-cuts’ budgets”

As state economists reveal a $1.4 billion shortfall in anticipated state revenues, the Washington Public Interest Research Group (WashPIRG) is calling for lawmakers to include the closure of wasteful tax loopholes in efforts to rebalance the state budget.

News Release | WashPIRG | Consumer Protection

Senators face important vote on whether or not to protect consumers

In July, the landmark Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) took over as the nation’s first federal financial agency with only one job, protecting consumers. But until it gets a Senate-confirmed director, its powers, especially over payday lenders and other non-banks, are limited.

News Release | WashPIRG | Consumer Protection, Financial Reform

WashPIRG Statement of Support for Confirmation of Richard Cordray as Director of CFPB

On Tuesday, Sept. 6 the US Senate is set to begin hearings on the confirmation of President Obama’s choice of Richard Cordray as Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and The Washington Public Interest Research Group (WashPIRG) is calling on Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell for their support of this outstanding nominee.

Media Hit | Budget

Deficit 'Super Committee' Selection Sen. Murray Proves Controversial

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has named Democrat Patty Murray of Washington to co-chair a powerful "super committee" charged with finding more than $1 trillion in deficit cuts this fall.

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Report | WashPIRG | Consumer Protection

2010 Trouble in Toyland toy safety report

Over the past twenty five years, the PIRG report has identified hazards in toys and children’s products that could cause an acute injury from small parts that pose a choking hazard, to strangulation hazards from cords on pull toys, to laceration hazards from edges that are too sharp. Our report has led to at least 150 recalls and other regulatory actions over the years, and has helped us to advocate for stronger federal laws to protect children from unsafe products.

Report | WashPIRG | Democracy

Following the Money 2010

At least 32 states currently mandate that residents be able to access an online database of government expenditures with “checkbook-level” detail. Most of these Web sites are also searchable, making it easier for residents to obtain information about government spending.

Report | WashPIRG | Consumer Protection

Trouble In Toyland: The 24th Annual Survey Of Toy Safety

The 2009 Trouble in Toyland report is the 24th annual Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) survey of toy safety. This report provides safety guidelines for parents when purchasing toys for small children and provides examples of toys currently on store shelves that may pose potential safety hazards.

Report | WashPIRG | Consumer Protection

Seeking Safer Packaging

Seeking Safer Packaging is a project of Green Century Capital Management, Inc. (Green Century) and As You Sow. The authors sent letters to 20 companies in the packaged food industry to identify the actions the companies are taking to address concerns regarding BPA. Fourteen companies replied. Company scores are based entirely on their responses to these letters.

Report | WashPIRG | Consumer Protection

Trouble in Toyland: The 23rd Annual Survey of Toy Safety

The 2008 "Trouble in Toyland" report is the 23rd annual Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) survey of toy safety.

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YOUR TAX DOLLARS BECOME CORN SYRUP

At a time when one-in-three kids is overweight or obese, over a billion taxpayer dollars go to high-fructose corn syrup and junk food ingredients.

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STOP TAX DODGERS

Corporate tax avoidance cost taxpayers $100 billion last year. We're 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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BUILDING A BETTER HEALTH CARE MARKETPLACE

Now the fight for health care reform is in Washington.

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You Can Help

We have a chance to cut billions in junk food subsidies this year. Your support will help us do the research, advocacy and grassroots organizing to convince our elected officials to act.

PRIORITY ACTION

Each year, our tax dollars pay for enough junk food additives to buy 8.5 two-liter bottles of soda for each person under 18. Help stop the subsidies for junk food.

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