Paving The Way For 21st Century Transportation
We can begin investing in a new generation of high-speed rail, thanks to a PIRGIM-backed law recently passed in Congress. The bill is an important first step toward public transit and away from wasteful new highway projects.

Keeping Our Families Safe From Dangerous Products
Corporations that violate our product safety laws will face stiff fines and penalties, and hazardous products will be removed from store shelves more quickly, under a landmark law championed by PIRGIM in 2008. Our members and staff helped overcome the last-minute opposition of the chemical industry.

Protecting Michiganders From Identity Thieves
In 2006, PIRGIM convinced the Legislature to pass a law that requires businesses to notify consumers and credit bureaus whenever customers’ personal information is stolen. The law includes the strongest penalties in the country for failing to comply.

Standing Up For Students, Not Lenders
We helped pass the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, which will give billions of dollars in additional aid to students through the Pell Grant program. The bill is funded by reducing wasteful lender subsidies.

Making Industry Take Responsibility For Toxic Pollution
PIRGIM and our allies persuaded the governor to veto the misleadingly named “Homeowner Protection Act,” which would have delayed Dow Chemical’s cleanup of its pollution in Midland.

Closing Corporate Tax Loopholes
PIRGIM supported changes in Michigan’s tax code that will prevent large, multi-state corporations from ducking taxes on their operations here in Michigan, leveling the playing field for smaller local companies to compete.
 
Holding Drugmakers Accountable For Safety
The FDA reform bill adopted by Congress in 2007 included several PIRGIM-backed provisions that force drug companies to post all clinical trial results, good and bad—an antidote to such notorious cases as Vioxx, Paxil and Avandia.

Promoting Young Voter Participation
Two million more 18- to 24-year-olds voted in 2008 than in the last presidential election in 2004, part of a record overall voter turnout. The Student PIRGs’ New Voters Project did its part by deploying 80 organizers to more than 100 campuses in 22 states to help turn out vote.

Reforming Unfair Insurance Practices
PIRGIM helped to stop insurance companies from using credit scores to determine interest rates for auto and home loans—a move that will reduce rates 10 to 45 percent. The insurance industry challenged the law, but it was upheld in court.