News

Most Recent News

Data Shows Toy Safety Recalls Increased 22% Over Last Year 7/23/2008

The year 2007 was called the year of the recall. But in 2008, recalls are up, according to Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) data. Already, as these data show, more toys and children’s products have been recalled in the first half of this year than in the first half of last year, a supposed “100-year-flood” period. Yet the remedial CPSC reform legislation passed overwhelmingly by both the House and Senate in response to that 2007 recall wave has yet to become law. It is stalled in conference committee, where both the toy and chemical industries seek to block, weaken or delay some of its most critical reforms. This report explains why Congress needs to enact a strong final law that includes all of these key uncompleted reforms1 -- a new toy standard that requires mandatory safety testing for toys, a ban on toxic phthalates and whistleblower protections -- while rejecting industry’s eleventh-hour demands to add new and unprecedented limits on state authority to enforce and enact product safety laws.

U.S. House addresses high gas prices by investing close to $2 billion in public transportation 6/26/2008

Responding to record-high gas prices and the rising use of public transportation, the House of Representatives today passed HR 6052, the Saving Energy through Public Transportation Act, by a vote of 322 to 98 which authorizes 1.7 billion dollars to transit agencies across America to expand services and reduce fares. It is projected that over $80 million would be directed towards projects in Florida. This investment is part of a long-term solution that gives Americans affordable and convenient alternatives to driving and allows transit agencies to keep up with drastic increases in ridership brought on by high gas prices.

New Report Shows Americans Are Squandering Stimulus Checks at the Gas Pump and Calls for More Public Transit 6/25/2008

Without sufficient alternatives to driving, American families spent their entire economic stimulus check on high-priced gas. The average price of gasoline in Florida has surpassed $4 a gallon. In response, transit ridership has surged, but government still does little to help Floridians drive less.

Browse recent news releases by issue.

Most Recent Reports

Total Recall: The Need for CPSC Reform Now 7/23/2008

The year 2007 was called the year of the recall. But in 2008, recalls are up, according to Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) data. Already, as these data show, more toys and children’s products have been recalled in the first half of this year than in the first half of last year, a supposed “100-year-flood” period. Yet the remedial CPSC reform legislation passed overwhelmingly by both the House and Senate in response to that 2007 recall wave has yet to become law. It is stalled in conference committee, where both the toy and chemical industries seek to block, weaken or delay some of its most critical reforms. This report explains why Congress needs to enact a strong final law that includes all of these key uncompleted reforms1 -- a new toy standard that requires mandatory safety testing for toys, a ban on toxic phthalates and whistleblower protections -- while rejecting industry’s eleventh-hour demands to add new and unprecedented limits on state authority to enforce and enact product safety laws.

Squandering the Stimulus: An Analysis of Household Gas Spending 6/25/2008

Two thirds of oil in the United States goes to transportation, with the largest share consumed by cars and trucks. Nothing illustrates how the lack of transportation options hurts consumers and our economy more than the fact that, since approval of the tax rebates in February, Americans on average have already spent the amount of their stimulus checks at the pump.

Mixed Signals: How Retailers Mislead Consumers on the Digital Television (DTV) Transition. 2/13/2008

Many consumers are just now hearing about the government-ordered digital transition and they are going to electronics retail stores to ask questions about what is necessary to maintain their TV reception. Florida PIRG, along with other state PIRG’s recently conducted “secret shopper” surveys at 132 electronics stores in ten states – including Tallahassee, Florida – to determine if America’s big electronics retailers are properly preparing their customers for the digital transition.

More Reports

Our Issues in the News

Battle over amending Florida Constitution rages on 4/08/2008

Anyone who thought the long, nasty fight over amending Florida's constitution had ended should think again.

Florida's Debt Traps 3/11/2008

The fight to stomp out predatory lending has always been difficult -- the minute lawmakers target one form of usury, another springs up to take its place.

Ring Tone Settlement May Signal New Policies 3/01/2008

TALLAHASSEE - Accused of billing customers for ring tone services that were supposed to be free, AT&T Mobility, the nation's largest cell phone carrier, has agreed to refund more than $10 million to thousands of Florida consumers.

Press Archive

ISSUES