About TexPIRG
TexPIRG is a statewide nonpartisan public interest organization, dedicated to protecting consumer rights, promoting good government and improving the quality of life for all Texans. We do this by researching issues which matter to ordinary Texans and advocating for appropriate legislative solutions to complicated problems.
Protecting Homeowners’ Rights
Texas was founded by brave men and women who wanted a place they could call home. The dream of home ownership continues to inspire Texans today. Unfortunately, because of an inefficient government bureaucracy, exploitative insurance rates and predatory mortgage lending, that dream has become a nightmare for many people. TexPIRG supports legislation that:
- Reforms the Texas Residential Construction Commission (TRCC) so as to make it easier for homeowners to obtain redress against shoddy home construction practices.
- Makes participation in the TRCC dispute-resolution process voluntary rather than mandatory, so that homeowners do not lose their right to go to court to assert their rights.
- Lower homeowner insurance rates by requiring companies to reduce their premiums and pay back any overcharges.
- Provides third-party credit counseling before consumers sign onto non-conventional mortgage equity loans.
- Places mortgage loan brokers under the same standards of fiduciary responsibility to their clients as real estate brokers or financial planners.
Promoting Common Sense Transportation Policies
Traffic congestion is increasing throughout Texas, creating a whole host of problems related to the environment and our quality of life. It is urgent that Texas develop an efficient system of passenger rail to provide an alternative to driving their cars, while reducing our investment in poorly-planned transportation projects. TexPIRG supports legislation to:
- Give local governments the authority to raise necessary revenue for the creation of regional commuter rail systems.
- Support rail projects such as the Austin-San Antonio Commuter Rail District, the light rail systems of Dallas and Houston and the proposed urban rail system in downtown Austin.
- End the ill-advised Texas Transit Corridor project.
Preventing Identity Theft
Increasing numbers of Texans find themselves with ruined credit ratings as a result of identity theft. TexPIRG supports legislation to:
- Allow citizens to place security freezes on their credit reports without having to obtain a police report.
- Require companies and state agencies to destroy unnecessary personal data after a set time limit.
Reforming the Redistricting Process
It is critical that partisan politics be removed from the process of congressional redistricting, so as to give the voters of Texas the representative government they deserve. TexPIRG supports legislation to:
- Create a nonpartisan committee of citizens to oversee congressional redistricting, with proper safeguards to prevent conflicts of interest.
- Prohibit redistricting from being conducted more than once per decade.
- Prohibit redistricting plans from favoring or discriminating against any political party or other group.
Assuring Clean, Affordable Power
Texas consumers are facing steady increases in their utility rates, while facing the possibility of increased pollution in their communities. TexPIRG supports legislation to:
- Ensure that all funds allocated to the System Benefit Fund go to consumers who require assistance in paying their utility bills, rather than having them siphoned off to other purposes.
- Reinstating a mandated “provider of last resort” rate so as to allow market forces to most effectively bring relief to consumers.
- Block construction of new coal plants, which pollute our cities and negatively impact public health.
Providing Relief for Consumers
Numerous problems continue to make life difficult for Texas consumers, threatening to financial security of thousands of Texans. TexPIRG supports legislation to:
- Create strong energy efficiency standards for home appliances.
- Combat predatory payday lending by closing the “credit service organization” loophole and establishing a lower maximum interest rate.