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News Release | PIRGIM | Democracy

First-of-its-kind “Refrain From Political Spending” Resolution to Be Voted on at Bank of America Shareholder Meeting

On Wednesday, May 9, shareholders at Bank of America will vote “yea” or “nay” on a first-of-its-kind “refrain from political spending” resolution. Resolutions addressing political spending are among the most popular in the 2012 shareholder season, many dealing with disclosure of such spending. This is the first shareholder season for this groundbreaking resolution which was introduced by socially responsible investment firms Trillium Asset Management at Bank of America and 3M Corporation and by Green Century Capital Management at Target Corporation.

News Release | PIRGIM | Tax

Offshore Tax Havens Cost Average Michigan Taxpayers $310 a Year, Each Michigan Small Business $1,561, New Study Finds

With tax day approaching, a new study released by PIRGIM found that the average Michigan taxpayer in 2011 would have to shoulder an extra $310 tax burden make up for revenue lost from corporations and wealthy individuals shifting income to offshore tax havens. The report additionally found that to cover the cost of corporate abuse of tax havens in 2011, small businesses in Michigan would have to foot a bill of $1,561 on average.

Report | PIRGIM | Tax

Picking Up the Tab

Some U.S.-based multinational firms or individuals avoid paying U.S. taxes by transferring their earnings to tax haven countries with minimal or no taxes. These tax haven users benefit from their access to America’s markets, workforce, infrastructure and security; but they pay little or nothing for it—violating the basic fairness of the tax system and forcing other taxpayers to pick up the tab.

Media Hit | Higher Ed

MLive.com: Rising student loan interest rates would push students deeper into debt

Michigan college students would face higher interest rates on a popular student loan starting this summer – unless federal lawmakers choose to act and reduce the hike.

Media Hit | Budget

Detroit News: Public gains more access to Michigan's checkbook

A new report by a nonprofit civic engagement organization says Gov. Rick Snyder's administration improved the public's access to information on how state government is spending tax dollars during his first year in office.

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News Release | PIRGIM | Democracy

First-of-its-kind “Refrain From Political Spending” Resolution to Be Voted on at Bank of America Shareholder Meeting

On Wednesday, May 9, shareholders at Bank of America will vote “yea” or “nay” on a first-of-its-kind “refrain from political spending” resolution. Resolutions addressing political spending are among the most popular in the 2012 shareholder season, many dealing with disclosure of such spending. This is the first shareholder season for this groundbreaking resolution which was introduced by socially responsible investment firms Trillium Asset Management at Bank of America and 3M Corporation and by Green Century Capital Management at Target Corporation.

News Release | PIRGIM | Tax

Offshore Tax Havens Cost Average Michigan Taxpayers $310 a Year, Each Michigan Small Business $1,561, New Study Finds

With tax day approaching, a new study released by PIRGIM found that the average Michigan taxpayer in 2011 would have to shoulder an extra $310 tax burden make up for revenue lost from corporations and wealthy individuals shifting income to offshore tax havens. The report additionally found that to cover the cost of corporate abuse of tax havens in 2011, small businesses in Michigan would have to foot a bill of $1,561 on average.

Media Hit | Higher Ed

MLive.com: Rising student loan interest rates would push students deeper into debt

Michigan college students would face higher interest rates on a popular student loan starting this summer – unless federal lawmakers choose to act and reduce the hike.

Media Hit | Budget

Detroit News: Public gains more access to Michigan's checkbook

A new report by a nonprofit civic engagement organization says Gov. Rick Snyder's administration improved the public's access to information on how state government is spending tax dollars during his first year in office.

News Release | PIRGIM Education Fund | Budget

New Report: Michigan Receives a “B” in Annual Report on Transparency of Government Spending

Michigan received a “B” when it comes to government spending transparency, according to Following the Money 2012: How the States Rank on Providing Online Access to Government Spending Data, the third annual report of its kind by the Public Interest Research Group in Michigan (PIRGIM). This year, PIRGIM also produced a companion report examining local-level transparency in Michigan, entitled Following the Municipal Money: Seven Steps for More Effective Local Transparency in Michigan.

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Result | Food

Researching How Tax Dollars Become Twinkies

PIRGIM research found that since 1995, $17 billion in agricultural subsidies have gone to corn syrup and other junk food ingredients. That’s enough to buy 2.8 billion Twinkies, and vastly more than has gone to apples and other fresh fruits and vegetables.

Result | Consumer Protection

Kids' Lunches Now Safer

For years, America’s schoolchildren have been eating beef, chicken and other foods that would have been rejected as substandard even by fast food chains. Thanks in part to our advocacy, the USDA has stopped buying such low-quality meat for school lunches.

Result | Consumer Protection

KIDS’ SCHOOL LUNCHES NOW SAFER

For years, America’s schoolchildren have been eating beef, chicken and other foods that would have been rejected as substandard even by fast food chains. Thanks in part to our advocacy, the U.S.D.A. has stopped buying such low-quality meat for school lunches.

Result | Health Care

Young People Now Covered

This year, the federal health care reforms that PIRGIM worked to win have started to pay off for young people. In the past, teens saw their premiums soar or were denied coverage when they turned 19, even if they’d been insured their whole lives. Now, they can remain on their parents’ plans until age 26.

Result | Health Care

Young People Now Covered

This year, the federal health care reforms that PIRGIM worked to win have started to pay off for young people. In the past, teens saw their premiums soar or were denied coverage when they turned 19, even if they’d been insured their whole lives. Now, they can remain on their parents’ plans until age 26.

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Report | PIRGIM | Tax

Picking Up the Tab

Some U.S.-based multinational firms or individuals avoid paying U.S. taxes by transferring their earnings to tax haven countries with minimal or no taxes. These tax haven users benefit from their access to America’s markets, workforce, infrastructure and security; but they pay little or nothing for it—violating the basic fairness of the tax system and forcing other taxpayers to pick up the tab.

Report | PIRGIM Education Fund | Budget

Following the Municipal Money

Transparent spending is vital for local governments. Transparency promotes fiscal responsibility, bolsters public confidence and checks corruption. These benefits are particularly needed for local government because residents depend so directly on everyday programs such as schools, sidewalks and police.

Report | PIRGIM Education Fund | Budget

Following the Money 2012

The ability to see how government uses the public purse is fundamental to democracy. Transparency in government spending promotes fiscal responsibility, checks corruption, and bolsters public confidence.

Report | PIRGIM Education Fund | Democracy

Auctioning Democracy

This report is a Dēmos and PIRGIM Education Fund analysis of Federal Election Commission data on Super PACs from their advent in 2010 through the end of 2011.

Report | PIRGIM Education Fund | Safe Energy

Too Close to Home

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, which took place in March 2011, delivered a reminder to the world that nuclear power comes with inherent risks. Among the risks demonstrated by the Fukushima crisis is the threat of water contamination—including contamination of drinking water supplies by radioactive material.

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Your Tax Dollars Become Twinkies

Billions of taxpayer dollars have subsidized the ingredients in junk food. We're calling on Congress to end agribusiness handouts.

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Take Action
STOP TAX DODGERS

Corporate tax avoidance cost Michiganders $2 billion last year. PIRGIM is working to close the loopholes that allow companies to avoid paying the taxes they owe.

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Dangerous Toys On Store Shelves?

Find out what to watch out for — from toxic chemicals to choking hazards — in our “Trouble In Toyland” report.

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Get the report
BEAT HIGH BANK FEES

Consumers can change the way big banks do business, and fortunately, you can still find many low fee and low cost options.

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Priority Action

The CUT Loopholes Act would put an end to the price and profit shifting that allows publicly traded companies to engage in pervasive tax avoidance.

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Your donation supports PIRGIM's work to stand up for consumers on the issues that matter, especially when powerful interests are blocking progress.