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U.S. PIRG
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| U.S. PIRG | |
 | |
| Basic facts | |
| Location: | Washington, D.C. |
| Type: | 501(c)(4) |
| Affiliation: | Nonpartisan |
| Top official: | Andre Delattre, Executive Director |
| Website: | Official website |
| Promoted policies | |
| Environmental, Fiscal, Healthcare and Transportation Policy | |
| Budget | |
| 2012: | $2,820,533 |
| 2011: | $2,102,961 |
| 2010: | $2,118,535 |
The United States Public Interest Research Group, commonly abbreviated as U.S. PIRG, is the federation of state Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs). It is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization with a focus on consumer issues. Through research, advocacy, litigation and grassroots activities the organization aims to protect consumers by "countering the influence of big banks, insurers, chemical manufacturers and other powerful special interests."[1]
Mission
The U.S. PIRG is guided by the following mission statement:[1]
| “ |
U.S. PIRG, the federation of state Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs), stands up to powerful special interests on behalf of the American public, working to win concrete results for our health and our well-being. With a strong network of researchers, advocates, organizers and students in state capitals across the country, we take on the special interests on issues such as product safety, public health, political corruption, tax and budget reform and consumer protection, where these interests stand in the way of reform and progress.[2] |
” |
History
The first state-level Public Interest Research Groups were founded in 1970 to confront "powerful special interests" using "the time-tested tools of investigative research, media exposés, grassroots organizing, advocacy and litigation." U.S. PIRG is the federation of these "independent, state-based, citizen-funded organizations," serving to coordinate their activities and resources on the national level. The state PIRGs employ about 400 people across the country, with operations in 47 states and a federal lobbying office in Washington, D.C.[1]
Policy scope
U.S. PIRG lists the following policy projects on its website:[3]
- 21st century transportation
- Affordable higher education
- Campaign for safe energy
- Close corporate tax loopholes
- Consumer protection
- Democracy for the people
- Fighting the high cost of prescription drugs
- Label GMO foods
- Making health care work
- Meet the CFPB: It works for you
- No tax deductions for wrongdoing
- Reining in Wall Street
- Safeguarding public health
- Stop highway boondoggles
- Stop subsidizing obesity
- Stop the overuse of antibiotics on factory farms
- Tips for OPM & other data breach victims
- Transparent & accountable budgets
- We found 24 potentially hazardous toys
Work
Annual reports
Since 2010, U.S. PIRG has issued an annual report titled "Following the Money." According to Boise Weekly, this report rates "the completeness and ease of use of each state's online information about how they spend taxpayer dollars, including corporate tax incentives, purchasing goods and services, and state contracts."[4]
U.S. PIRG also publishes an annual survey of toy safety titled "Trouble in Toyland" which the organization claims has led to about 150 product recalls since its inception. The 2015 edition of this survey will mark its 30th year of publication.[5]
Affiliated organizations
The U.S. PIRG Education Fund is an affiliated 501(c)(3) that compliments the work of U.S. PIRG through research and public education. According to the organization's website, the education fund aims "to protect consumers and promote good government. We investigate problems, craft solutions, educate the public, and offer meaningful opportunities for civic participation."[6]
Student PIRGs are statewide student organizations that operate independently of each other and U.S. PIRG. According to the website representing all student PIRGs, the organizations focus "on issues like environmental protection, consumer protection, and hunger and homelessness.[7]
The following states have a student PIRG:
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Indiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- Oregon
- Washington
- Wisconsin
Board members
As of 2012, the Board of Directors of U.S. PIRG included the following individuals:[8]
- Andre Delattre (Executive Director)
- Ed Mierzwinski (Secretary)
- Diane Brown
- Janet Domenitz
- Brian Imus
- Brian Moe
Finances
The following is a breakdown of U.S. PIRG's revenue and expenses for the 2009-2012 tax years:
| Annual revenue and expenses for U.S. PIRG, 2009-2012 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Tax Year | Total Revenue | Total Expenses |
| 2012[8] | $2,820,533 | $2,436,825 |
| 2011[8] | $2,102,961 | $1,424,128 |
| 2010[9] | $2,118,535 | $1,785,524 |
| 2009[9] | $2,064,797 | $1,666,287 |
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms U.S. PIRG. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
- Social media:
- Endorsements and ratings:
- Financial:
- Media coverage:
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 U.S. PIRG, "About Us," accessed June 15, 2015
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ U.S. PIRG, "All Issues," accessed July 14, 2015
- ↑ Boise Weekly, "Idaho State Controller's Office Strikes Back at U.S. PIRG Report on Online Data Transparency," March 19, 2015
- ↑ U.S. PIRG, "Report: Avoiding Dangerous Toys," December 1, 2014
- ↑ U.S. PIRG Education Fund, "About U.S. PIRG Education Fund," accessed June 15, 2015
- ↑ Student PIRGs, "Our Mission," accessed June 15, 2015
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 GuideStar, "U.S. PIRG IRS Form 990 (2012)," accessed June 15, 2015
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 GuideStar, "U.S. PIRG IRS Form 990 (2010)," accessed June 15, 2015
