ABOUT WISPIRG
Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group (WISPIRG), founded in 1989, is an advocate for the public interest. When consumers are cheated or the voices of ordinary citizens are drowned out by special interest lobbyists, WISPIRG 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. WISPIRG’s mission is to deliver persistent, result-oriented public interest activism that protects consumers, encourages a fair, sustainable economy, and fosters responsive, democratic government.
Public Health & Toxics
All Wisconsinites deserve to live and work in healthy, toxic-free environments. Unfortunately, polluters continue to pump billions of pounds of toxic chemicals into our air, land and water each year, many of which can cause cancer and other severe health effects. In addition, products like cigarettes increase the threat to everyone’s health. WISPIRG is working to pass legislation to address these threats.
- • WISPIRG supports a statewide comprehensive, smoke free indoor air law that includes bars and restaurants. Secondhand smoke is the third leading cause of preventable death in America. As U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona concluded in a 2006 report, there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. The time has come to pass a statewide law that protects the health of our families and children by making public workplaces, including bars and restaurants, smoke free.
Transportation For The 21st Century
A world-class public transportation system is key to Wisconsin’s future, spurring economic growth while reinvigorating our communities, improving quality of life, reducing traffic congestion, decreasing our over-dependence on fossil fuels, cutting the pollution that causes global warming and preventing sprawling development that threatens Wisconsin’s open spaces. With investment in transit and road repair, we can create jobs and revitalize the economy while building a 21st century transportation infrastructure.
- • WISPIRG supports the governor’s Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) proposal in AB-75 to create the Dane County RTA, Fox Cities RTA and Southeast RTA. In addition, WISPIRG supports language in AB-75 that will permit Wisconsin’s communities not covered in the governor’s budget to form RTAs. Under current Wisconsin law, communities can’t organize their own RTAs to create light rail, streetcars, modern buses or other forms of public transportation. Many other states have used RTAs to provide business-friendly, green and convenient transportation choices.
- • WISPIRG supports ensuring capital funding goes to fix our crumbling roads and bridges first, before building more.
- • WISPIRG supports improving the planning process so that our scarce transportation dollars are spent wisely.
Tax & Budget Policy
Transparency and accountability with the public purse fosters democratic governance and more efficient use of public funds. Wisconsin deserves to get the greatest results and accountability for each dollar. And taxpayers have a right to know whether their dollars are being used efficiently and effectively.
- • WISPIRG supports AB-168/SB-92, which requires the state to make transparent and provide additional oversight on earmarks—legislative expenditures that are slipped into other laws and would not otherwise be subject to the ordinary process of accountability.
Fostering A Democratic Government
Money plays far too great of a role in our elections. Large contributions from a few groups and individuals unduly influence who wins elections and reduce the role of ordinary voters in our democracy.
- • WISPIRG supports SB-40/AB-65, also known as the Impartial Justice Bill, which calls for the creation of a system of full public financing for state Supreme Court races.
- • WISPIRG supports SB-23/AB-42, which prohibits elected state officials and their campaign committees from fundraising during state budget deliberations.
- • WISPIRG supports SB-43/AB-63, which requires disclosure of special interest electioneering, also known as issue ad disclosure.
