Home

What's New

Media Hit | Transportation

Iowa has nation's third-worst bridges

Iowa ranks third for having the worst bridges in the United States, according to a report issued today by a coalition of groups that want to increase government spending on the nation’s transportation system.

> Keep Reading
Result | Budget, Tax

New Transparency in Government Spending for Iowans

Iowa PIRG put pressure on decision makers to provide Iowans with transparent information about government spending - allowing us to hold government officials accountable when it comes to the public purse.

> Keep Reading
Media Hit | Safe Energy

Regulators Critize Nuclear Plant Cost Idea

Iowa utility regulators shared critisisms of Iowa's nuclear CWIP legislation, HF 561, that echoed the concerns of consumer advocacy groups like Iowa PIRG and AARP. 

> Keep Reading
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.

> Keep Reading
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.

> Keep Reading

Pages

Media Hit | Transportation

Iowa has nation's third-worst bridges

Iowa ranks third for having the worst bridges in the United States, according to a report issued today by a coalition of groups that want to increase government spending on the nation’s transportation system.

> Keep Reading
Media Hit | Safe Energy

Regulators Critize Nuclear Plant Cost Idea

Iowa utility regulators shared critisisms of Iowa's nuclear CWIP legislation, HF 561, that echoed the concerns of consumer advocacy groups like Iowa PIRG and AARP. 

> Keep Reading
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.

> Keep Reading
Media Hit | Consumer Protection

Obama made right appointment

Iowa PIRG Advocate Letter to the Editor on the confirmation of Richard Cordray as the new head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

> Keep Reading
Media Hit | Safe Energy

Group Urges Caution on New Nuclear Plants

Iowa should not build more nuclear plants unless they produce power at a lower cost than other options, including energy conservation, the Iowa Public Interest Research Group said Thursday.

> Keep Reading

Pages

Result | Budget, Tax

New Transparency in Government Spending for Iowans

Iowa PIRG put pressure on decision makers to provide Iowans with transparent information about government spending - allowing us to hold government officials accountable when it comes to the public purse.

> Keep Reading
Result | Consumer Protection

President Confirms Director Cordray To Head the CFPB

Iowa PIRG applauds President Obama for standing up for consumers by making a recess appointment of former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray to head the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The President’s action means that the CFPB indisputably now has all its powers to protect the public from unfair financial practices, whether by banks or other financial firms, such as payday lenders and credit bureaus.

> Keep Reading
Result | Safe Energy

Protecting Iowans from the financial risk of nuclear power

Iowa PIRG stopped Iowa leaders from allowing MidAmerican Energy to charge ratepayers in advance for the development, licensing and construction of new nuclear power plants in Iowa.

> Keep Reading
Result | Transportation

Keeping Iowa on Track with Passenger Rail

Iowa PIRG helped Iowans stay on track to updating our transportation system with new passenger rail from Iowa City to Chicago.

> Keep Reading
Result | Consumer Protection

KIDS’ SCHOOL LUNCHES NOW SAFER

For years, America’s schoolchildren have been eating beef, chicken and other foods that would have been rejected as substandard even by fast food chains. Thanks in part to our advocacy, the U.S.D.A. has stopped buying such low-quality meat for school lunches.

> Keep Reading

Pages

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.

> Keep Reading
Report | Iowa PIRG Education Fund | Safe Energy

The Nuclear Gamble: Why Nuclear Power is a Bad Bet for Iowans

Nuclear power is among the most costly approaches to solving Iowa’s energy problems. Fearing the many significant financial risks of new nuclear projects, private investors have stayed away. As a result, utilities and nuclear proponents are now asking Iowa citizens and businesses to pay more on their electricity bills to make the construction of a new nuclear reactor possible.

> Keep Reading
Report | Consumer Protection

Trouble in Toyland

The 2011 Trouble in Toyland report is our 26th annual survey of toy safety. In this report, we provide safety guidelines for consumers when purchasing toys for young children and provide examples of toys currently on store shelves that may pose potential safety hazards.

> Keep Reading
Report | Iowa PIRG Education Fund | Consumer Protection, Transportation

Caution: Red Light Cameras Ahead

Privatized traffic law enforcement systems are spreading rapidly across the United States. As many as 700 local jurisdictions have entered into deals with for-profit companies to install camera systems at intersections and along roadways to encourage drivers to obey traffic signals and follow speed limits.

> Keep Reading
Report | Iowa PIRG Education Fund | Health Care

Making the Grade: A Scorecard for State Health Insurance Exchanges

When it comes to health care, there are few magic-bullet solutions for the many problems consumers face in the marketplace: insurers don’t compete for their business, leading to higher prices and lower quality. Important information about coverage is buried in the fine print, making it hard to know what’s really covered or which plan is right. And costs are continuing their unsustainable rise.

> Keep Reading

Pages

Blog Post | Consumer Protection

President’s Recess Appointment Gives Watchdog Teeth It Needs To Protect Consumers From Wall Street or Payday Lender Financial ShenanigansSonia Ashe

Kudos to President Obama for standing up for consumers this week by making a recess appointment of former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray to head the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The President’s action means that the CFPB now has all its powers to protect the public from unfair financial practices, whether by banks or other financial firms, such as payday lenders and credit bureaus.

> Keep Reading

Tools & Resources

  • HEEDING THE LESSONS OF FUKUSHIMA, JAPAN
    More than 1 million Iowans live within 50 miles of a nuclear power plant. Stay up to date on our opposition to new plants in our state.
    Learn more
    Get updates
  • STOP TAX DODGERS
    Corporate tax avoidance cost taxpayers $100 billion last year. We're working to close the loopholes that allow companies to avoid paying the taxes they owe.
    Learn more
    Take Action
  • BUILDING A BETTER HEALTH CARE MARKETPLACE
    Now the fight for health care reform is in Iowa.
    Learn More
  • DANGEROUS TOYS ON STORE SHELVES?
    Find out what to watch out for—from toxic chemicals to choking hazards—in our “Trouble In Toyland” report.
    Learn more
    Get Report

Get Alerts

Join our network to stay up to date on our campaign for safe energy and take action on critical issues.

Support Us

Your donation supports Iowa PIRG’s work to stand up for consumers on the issues that matter, especially when powerful interests are blocking progress.

donate today