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Report | Iowa PIRG Education Fund | 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 | Iowa PIRG Education Fund | Transportation

Transportation and the New Generation

Youth in Iowa and accross the country have begun to shift their transportation preference our from behind the wheel, and towards alternative options. Increased dependence on transportation alternatives like public transit, biking, or passenger rail supports re-invisioned transportation policy solutions that reflect the needs of twenty-first century Iowa.

Report | Iowa PIRG Education Fund | Democracy

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. These government-operated websites allow visitors to view the government's checkbook - who receives state money, how much, and for what purposes.

News Release | Iowa PIRG Education Fund | Democracy

Iowa Receives an "F" in Annual Report on Transparency of Government Spending

Iowa once again received an “F” 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 Iowa Public Interest Research Group (Iowa PIRG).

Media Hit | Safe Energy

MidAmerican gives an expensive sales pitch

Article by opinion columnist, Rekha Basu, with the Des Moines Register discussing the potential pitfalls of forceing ratepayers to front the bill for new nuclear power plants in Iowa. This article provides the "sales pitch" by MidAmerican Energy, but questions whether or not the "pitch" will or should hold the confidence of Iowa's consumers.

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News Release | Iowa PIRG Education Fund | Democracy

Iowa Receives an "F" in Annual Report on Transparency of Government Spending

Iowa once again received an “F” 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 Iowa Public Interest Research Group (Iowa PIRG).

Media Hit | Safe Energy

MidAmerican gives an expensive sales pitch

Article by opinion columnist, Rekha Basu, with the Des Moines Register discussing the potential pitfalls of forceing ratepayers to front the bill for new nuclear power plants in Iowa. This article provides the "sales pitch" by MidAmerican Energy, but questions whether or not the "pitch" will or should hold the confidence of Iowa's consumers.

News Release | Iowa PIRG Education Fund | Democracy

Tracking Down Secrect Campaign Funds Spent in Super PACs

Today Iowa PIRG Education Fund and Demos released a new analysis of the funding sources for the campaign finance behemoths, Super PACs. The findings confirmed what many have predicted in the wake of the Supreme Court’s damaging Citizens United decision: since their inception in 2010, Super PACs have been primarily funded by a small segment of very wealthy individuals and business interests, with a small but significant amount of funds coming from secret sources.

News Release | Iowa PIRG Ed Fund | Democracy, Tax

Wells Fargo One of the 'Dirty Thirty'

With the second anniversary approaching of the Supreme Court case Citizens United rapidly approaching – it is clear that the floodgates to corporate political spending are open, and that Fortune 500 Companies are taking full advantage. A report released today by Iowa PIRG Education Fund and Citizens for Tax Justice reveals 30 of our nations most profitable corporations that spent more to lobby Congress than they did in taxes.

News Release | Iowa PIRG Education Fund | Safe Energy

Nuclear Power a Bad Financial Bet for Iowa, New Report Says

A new report documenting the high financial risks of nuclear power was unveiled today by groups advocating that Iowa place its energy bets on other energy sources. The report, The Nuclear Gamble: Why Nuclear Power is a Bad Bet for Iowans, was released after the Legislature shelved a proposal last session to fund new nuclear plants but amid ongoing speculation that utilities and the nuclear industry will resume a push for nuclear power.

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Result | Tax

Closing Contractor Loopholes

Iowa PIRG, in federation with state PIRGs across the country, backed a new law to close that loophole and another law requiring contractors to pay back taxes before being awarded new contracts

Result | Democracy

Promoting Young Voter Participation

Two million more 18-24 year olds voted in 2008 than in the presidential election in 2004.

Result | Consumer Protection

Confronting Data Dealers on Identity Theft

In the wake of failures in data security on the part of data dealers and credit card companies, Iowa PIRG crafted model legislation that has been enacted in 40 states. We also helped pass a law that provides one free credit report each year.

Report | Iowa PIRG Education Fund | 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 | Iowa PIRG Education Fund | Transportation

Transportation and the New Generation

Youth in Iowa and accross the country have begun to shift their transportation preference our from behind the wheel, and towards alternative options. Increased dependence on transportation alternatives like public transit, biking, or passenger rail supports re-invisioned transportation policy solutions that reflect the needs of twenty-first century Iowa.

Report | Iowa PIRG Education Fund | Democracy

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. These government-operated websites allow visitors to view the government's checkbook - who receives state money, how much, and for what purposes.

Report | Iowa PIRG Education Fund | Democracy

Auctioning Democracy

In the wake of the Supreme Court’s damaging Citizens United decision: since their inception in 2010, Super PACs have been primarily funded by a small segment of very wealthy individuals and business interests, with a small but significant amount of funds coming from secret sources.

Report | Democracy, Tax

Representation without Taxation

Marking the second anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision in the Citizens United vs. FEC case – which opened the floodgates to corporate spending on elections – this report takes a hard look at the lobbying activities of profitable Fortune 500 companies that exploit loopholes and work to distort the tax code to avoid billions of dollars in taxes.

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Blog Post | Consumer Protection

Today, CFPB to announce overdraft fee investigation, unveil "penalty box" disclosure, possibly end $39 lattes. | Ed Mierzwinski

Would you knowingly agree to pay a $35 fee each time you used your debit card at point of sale, simply to allow you to purchase a $4 latte with only $2 in your account? Even the banks didn't think so, that's why they made “standard overdraft protection” a feature of your checking account that you didn't need to choose.

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Blog Post | Consumer Protection

Iowa PIRG Applauds CFPB Proposal to Regulate Biggest Credit Bureaus | Ed Mierzwinski

Last summer over 10,000 PIRG members submitted comments to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) urging strict regulation of credit bureaus and credit scoring firms. We applaud the CFPB for its proposal today to subject the nation’s largest credit bureaus and credit scoring firms to full scrutiny as “larger participants” (CFPB pdf) in the financial marketplace."

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Blog Post | Consumer Protection

Encouraging news on HUD/state AG settlement with big mortgage servicers | Ed Mierzwinski

The terms of the settlement, which was announced this morning, are at the page http://www.nationalmortgagesettlement.com. We are reading it now. Original: If I am reading the overnight news stories correctly (NY TIMES and Politico and Boston Globe), it appears that negotiators have clarified that the well-publicized settlement between HUD and state AGs and the nation's 5 largest mortgage servicers will not release the big banks from claims related to their activities with the mysterious entity known as MERS that aided and abetted their illegal foreclosures. If so, this is a big deal in ultimately holding the big banks fully accountable.

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Blog Post | Consumer Protection

CFPB's Cordray to Highlight Achievements/Goals Today In Senate | Ed Mierzwinski

The Senate Banking Committee will hold an oversight hearing today at 10 am (live video) on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's semi-annual report to Congress. The witness will be CFPB director Rich Cordray, who received a PIRG-backed recess appointment from the President on January 4th. Expect some CFPB opponents on the committee to boycott; others to show up.

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Wall Street Reform

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