Keeping Families Safe From Dangerous Products

Corporations that violate 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 TexPIRG in 2008.

Standing Up For Students, Not Lenders

TexPIRG helped add $20 billion in federal aid for students by cutting subsidies to lenders. The funding increase is part of the TexPIRG-backed College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, the most meaningful higher education reform in more than 15 years.

Holding Elected Officials To Higher Ethical Standards

An independent office will police ethical scandals in Congress, under a plan endorsed by TexPIRG. Our staff in D.C. helped make the case for the new Office of Congressional Ethics with a report showing that 23 states already have independent panels to enforce ethics.

Protecting Texans’ Personal Information

Despite opposition from powerful financial institutions, TexPIRG helped convince the Legislature in 2003 and 2005 to adopt strong standards to protect Texans’ privacy and give consumers greater tools to protect and clear their names if they’ve been victims of identity theft.

Making Chemical Facilities More Secure

In 2008, TexPIRG helped to introduce legislation to make chemical facilities safer after our research highlighted more than 100 facilities that would each put more than 1 million people at risk in the event of an accident or terrorist attack.

Ensuring Responsible Lending

Working with a broad coalition of military, religious and civil rights organizations, TexPIRG beat back efforts to legalize unfair and unaffordable payday loans in 2005.

Standing Up To Big Tobacco

In 2005, TexPIRG helped turn out voters in support of an indoor smoking ban that will let bar and restaurant patrons in Austin enjoy their meals or nights out, without worrying about the dangers of secondhand smoke.

Holding Drugmakers Accountable For Safety

As drug companies aggressively market their products, they also cover up the side effects, as we saw with the scandals surrounding Vioxx, Paxil and Avandia. In 2007, the president signed a TexPIRG-backed law that makes drugs safer, and prevents pharmaceutical companies from keeping important clinical information from doctors.