WASHINGTON, November 23, 2022 – If a predatory, high-interest credit card and an old-fashioned layaway plan had a child, it might look like “Buy Now, Pay Later” (BNPL). If you are shopping on Black Friday (or any other day), there are things you should know about that Buy Now, Pay Later offer, including that it may […]
U.S.PIRG Education Fund
Posted inEnviro
A Perfect Storm: When tropical storms meet toxic waste
CHICAGO — As “National Hurricane Preparedness Week” kicks off, many communities across the United States are still dealing with the devastating effects of last year’s record-shattering Atlantic hurricane season. To help prepare for this year, the U.S. PIRG Education Fund and Environment America Research & Policy Center released a report Thursday highlighting the serious threat […]
Posted inUS
Nursing homes still don’t have enough masks, gowns and other PPE
WASHINGTON, January 22, 2021 – Nearly a year after the coronavirus came to the United States, nursing homes are still dealing with shortages of masks, gowns and hand sanitizer that could help prevent further spread of COVID-19. A new analysis by the U.S. PIRG Education Fund and Frontier Group found that 8 percent of nursing […]
Posted inLife
35th Annual Trouble in Toyland Report Uncovers Mislabeled and Dangerous Toys
PHILADELPHIA, November 12, 2020 – U.S. PIRG Education Fund’s Trouble in Toyland report has helped identify dangerous toys for 35 years. But 2020 is unique, and as Americans have worked, learned and played from home to protect themselves from COVID-19, children could be more susceptible to certain toy-related hazards. “This has been an incredibly difficult year, and parents […]
Posted inUS
Boeing Max planes have ‘optional’ safety mechanisms
PHILADELPHIA, March 22, 2019 – Newly-revealed details by the New York Times about of the crash of two Boeing 737 Max 8 planes may stun even the most hardened observer. The planes lacked a safety feature that may have warned pilots about problems because it was not required and Boeing charged airlines extra to include […]
Posted inLife
Popular weed killer found in top beer and wine brands
HOUSTON February 25, 2019 – Many beers and wines sold in the U.S. contain the weed killer glyphosate, the main ingredient in Roundup, according to a new report by U.S. PIRG Education Fund. In Glyphosate pesticide in beer and wine, U.S. PIRG tested 20 beers, wines and hard cider, including several organic brands, for glyphosate/Roundup […]
Posted inUS
New Report: Special Districts Too Often Fail to Show How They Spend Money
April 25, 2017 – A new report found that most special districts across the country are failing to provide accessible, online, and comprehensive information about their spending. Special districts are created to provide specific services like fire protection, medical care, transportation and housing for a designated area that would otherwise typically be provided directly by […]
Posted inOp-Ed
Mike Litt: New Congress Wants Wall Street to Regulate Itself
Jan. 5, 2017 – Statement by Mike Litt, Consumer Advocate, at U.S. PIRG about expected attacks against the Consumer Bureau in the 115th Congress Several members of Congress wanted to regulate themselves for ethics violations; they reversed course when citizens everywhere complained. But now, they also want Wall Street to regulate itself. Have they forgotten? That […]
Posted inEnviro
24,500 Call on the EPA to Ban Roundup
WASHINGTON, D.C. Dec. 20, 2016 – More than 24,000 people from across the country called on the Environmental Protection Agency to ban Roundup unless and until it can be proven safe. The EPA is currently holding a Scientific Advisory Board meeting, reviewing the carcinogenic potential of glyphosate. Last year, the World Health Organization’s IARC (“International […]
Posted inLife
Trouble in Toyland 2016: 31st Annual Survey of Toy Safety
WASHINGTON, DC, Nov. 23, 2016 – For more than 30 years, U.S. PIRG Education Fund has conducted an annual survey of toy safety. These reports have led to more than 150 recalls and other regulatory actions over the years, and have helped educate the public and policymakers on the need for continued action to protect […]