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Our team of researchers uncover the facts; our staff bring our findings to the public, through the media as well as one-on-one interactions; and our advocates are bringing the voice of the public to the halls of power on behalf of consumers.

An Independent Voice For Consumers

TexPIRG is a consumer group that stands up to powerful interests whenever they threaten our health and safety, our financial security, or our right to fully participate in our democratic society.

For decades, we’ve stood up for consumers, countering the influence of big banks, insurers, chemical manufacturers and other powerful special interests.

OUR TOP PRIORITIES

Using the time-tested tools of investigative research, media exposés, grassroots organizing, advocacy and litigation, TexPIRG stands up to powerful interests and delivers concrete results. 

AN INDEPENDENT VOICE FOR CONSUMERS

Consumer Program Director Ed Mierzwinski has fought for consumers for more than 20 years. He spearheaded our fight to create the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which recently forced Capital One to pay back $140 million in unfair credit card fees.>LEARN MORE

STOP SUBSIDIZING OBESITY

When big agribusinesses like Monsanto lobbied to keep their billion dollar junk food subsidies, we organized public opposition by talking to over 1 million people and building a coalition of more than 550 small farmers. >LEARN MORE
 

PROTECTING CONSUMERS

Our toy safety reports and lab research has led to recalls of over 150 toxic or dangerous toys, and our advocates have pushed to keep toxic chemicals out of all consumer products. >LEARN MORE
 

 

CLOSE CORPORATE TAX LOOPHOLES

We exposed the Fortune 500 companies like GE and Goldman Sachs who stash their profits overseas to dodge taxes. Offshore tax havens have cost us an estimated $150 billion every year. >LEARN MORE
 


 

When consumers are cheated or the voices of ordinary citizens are drowned out by special interest lobbyists, TexPIRG speaks up and takes action. We uncover threats to public health and well-being and fight to end them, using the time-tested tools of investigative research, media exposés, grassroots organizing, advocacy and litigation. TexPIRG’s mission is to deliver persistent, result-oriented public interest activism that protects consumers, encourages a fair, sustainable economy, and fosters responsive, democratic government.

TexPIRG Staff - A Partial List

TexPIRG advocatesfor the public interest. When consumers are cheated, or the voices of ordinary citizens are drowned out by special interest lobbyists, TexPIRG speaks up and takes action. We uncover threats to public health and well-being and fight for the public interest.


 

ALLISON CAIRO

Deputy Director

(312) 291-0349 x303

>CONTACT
>BIO
 

 

PHINEAS BAXANDALL

Senior Analyst for Tax & Budget Policy

(617) 747-4351

>CONTACT
>BIO
 

 

ED MIERZWINSKI

Federal Consumer Program Director

(202) 546-9707 x314

>CONTACT
>BIO
 


 

FUNDED BY OUR CITIZEN MEMBERS

Thousands of TexPIRG members and supporters fund our staff so we can counter the influence of lobbyists for the banks, insurance companies and other powerful special interests. To win, we conduct research, educate the public, and advocate in the public interest before key decision-makers.

TexPIRG And The Federation Of State Public Interest Research Groups


TexPIRG is an independent, state-based, citizen-funded organization that advocates for the public interest and is a member of U.S. PIRG, the federation of state Public Interest Research Groups.

 

Since 1970, state PIRGs have delivered results-oriented citizen activism, stood up to powerful special interests, and used the time-tested tools of investigative research, media exposés, grassroots organizing, advocacy and litigation to win real results on issues that matter.

 

Across the country, state PIRGs employ close to 400 organizers, policy analysts, scientists and attorneys, and are active in 47 states, with a federal lobby office in Washington, D.C. On national issues that impact Texans, we also coordinate our efforts, pool resources, and share expertise so that we can have the biggest impact — here in Texas and for the country at large.

 

What's New

News Release | TexPIRG Education Fund | Transportation

New Report: Long-Term Drop in How Much People Drive, Youth Desire More Transportation Options

A new report released today by the Texas Public Interest Research Group (TexPIRG) Education Fund and Frontier Group demonstrates that Americans have been driving less since the middle of last decade.

> Keep Reading
Report | TexPIRG 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. In the past few years, state governments across the country have made their checkbooks transparent by creating online transparency portals.

> Keep Reading
News Release | TexPIRG | Budget

Texas First in Transparency

Texas received an “A” and ranks first in the nation 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 Texas Public Interest Research Group (TexPIRG).

> Keep Reading
Media Hit | Health Care

Millions of Texans benefiting from health care coverage improvements

As Texas lawmakers on the House Committee on Public Health and the House Committee on Insurance meet to discuss state implementation of the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA) today, a broad coalition of organizations working to implement the legislation are touting several provisions already in effect that are helping Texans gain access to affordable coverage and updating members on the additional benefits health reform will bring in 2014.

> Keep Reading
News Release | TexPIRG | Health Care

State Representatives hear benefits of health reform for Texans

As Texas lawmakers on the House Committee on Public Health and the House Committee on Insurance meet to discuss state implementation of the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA) today, a broad coalition of organizations working to implement the legislation are touting several provisions already in effect that are helping Texans gain access to affordable coverage and updating members on the additional benefits health reform will bring in 2014. 

> Keep Reading

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News Release | TexPIRG | Transportation

Senate Transportation Bill Misses Opportunity for Historic Change

The Senate bill falls far short of the kind of decisive progress that America’s transportation system needs. America’s beleaguered transportation system is ailing and needs new direction for the 21st century, especially to become less dependent on oil. While this bill has some good provisions, it does not step up to the task. It contains some half measures and a few meaningful fixes, as well as real missteps that we hope will be addressed.

> Keep Reading
Media Hit | Transportation

Dallas Observer: Latest Red Light Camera Study Questions the System's Financial and Safety Perks

The report, Caution: Red Light Cameras Ahead, examines private companies' agreements with municipalities (about 700 throughout the country) in states that allow automated traffic law enforcement. "Contracts between private camera vendors and cities can include payment incentives that put profit above traffic safety," the report says.

> Keep Reading
News Release | TexPIRG | Health Care

Nationwide Study of New Health Exchanges Shows Texas How to Lower Costs for Consumers

Many states are creating health exchanges to deliver better value for consumers, and Texas should follow their lead, according to Making the Grade, a new report by the Texas Public Interest Research Group (TexPIRG).  Health exchanges are competitive marketplaces that can empower individuals and small businesses with better, more affordable options for coverage.  Under the federal health reform law, each state will have an exchange up and running in 2014.

> Keep Reading
Media Hit | Health Care

Dallas Morning News: Texas receives 'incomplete' on health insurance exchange report card

Texas is among 24 states, including neighbors Arkansas, Oklahoma and New Mexico, that got an "incomplete" in a scorecard on health insurance exchanges that was released Tuesday by a consumer group's research arm.

> Keep Reading
News Release | TexPIRG | Food

Ag Subsidies Pay for 19 Twinkies per Taxpayer, But Only a Quarter of an Apple Apiece

Federal subsidies for commodity crops are also subsidizing junk food additives like high fructose corn syrup, enough to pay for 19 Twinkies per taxpayer every year, according to Apples to Twinkies, a new report by TexPIRG.   Meanwhile, limited subsidies for fresh fruits and vegetables would buy less than a quarter of an apple per taxpayer.

> Keep Reading

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Report | TexPIRG | Health Care

Building a Better Health Care Marketplace

Policy Brief #3: Spotlight on Small Business: While many Americans struggle with the rising costs and eroding quality of health care, the plight of small businesses stands out – lacking the advantages possessed by larger businesses, they face unique challenges.

> Keep Reading
Report | TexPIRG | Health Care

Building a Better Health Care Marketplace

Policy Brief #2: Negotiating for a Better Deal: A well-made state exchange can help deliver lower costs for individuals and small businesses. Just as big businesses negotiate with insurers, using the bargaining power of their employees to push for lower premiums, so too can exchange enrollees benefit from a muscular exchange that negotiates on their behalf for better choices and lower costs.

> Keep Reading
Report | TexPIRG | Health Care

Building a Better Health Care Marketplace

Policy Brief #1: Ensuring Accountability: The opportunity to create a state exchange will allow Texas to increase competition and improve choices in our insurance market. However, to fully realize this opportunity, the exchange must be accountable to the public, and the individual and small business consumers who will buy their coverage through it.

> Keep Reading
Report | TexPIRG | Health Care

The Cost of Repeal

On March 23, 2010, after a long congressional debate, President Barack Obama signed into law comprehensive federal health care reform legislation, known as the Affordable Care Act or ACA. But the enactment of the law did not end the debate. This year, Texas’ elected officials will face their own choices regarding proposals to repeal or roll back existing law. This report examines the costs and benefits of repeal for the taxpayers, consumers, and businesses of our state.

> Keep Reading
Report | TexPIRG | Transportation

Do Roads Pay for Themselves?

Highway advocates often claim that roads “pay for themselves,” with gasoline taxes and other charges to motorists covering—or nearly covering—the full cost of highway construction and maintenance.

They are wrong.

> Keep Reading

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Tools & Resources

You Can Help

We have a chance to cut billions in junk food subsidies this year. Your support will help us do the research, advocacy and grassroots organizing to convince our elected officials to act.

Donate Today

Priority Action

Given public concern about obesity and federal spending, your support can help us finally beat Big Ag and end subsidies for junk food.

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Consumer Alerts

Join our network and stay up to date on our campaigns, get important consumer updates, and take action on critical issues.