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.
Protecting Public Health
Secondhand smoke is the third leading cause of preventable death in America. As US Surgeon General Richard Carmona concluded in a 2006 report, there is no safe level of exposure to second hand smoke. Wisconsin should not fall behind Illinois, Minnesota and 20 other states in protecting public health from second hand smoke.
• WISPIRG supports SB150, which bans smoking in all public workplaces, including bars and restaurants.
Encouraging Open, Transparent Government
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 SB434/AB741, which discloses information regarding economic development subsidies, including but not limited to any tax breaks, grants, or low interest loans made by the state government, and makes this information publicly available online.
• WISPIRG supports AB739, 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.
Making Education More Affordable
In addition to tuition and room and board, students spend an average of $900 a year on course materials. Prices keep going up faster than inflation. The main problem is that in the textbook market the person who chooses the textbook (faculty) does not actually buy the textbook; students and their families do. Price signals also fail to control prices in the textbook market as publishers withhold pricing information from faculty, bundle textbooks with expensive but unnecessary workbooks and CD-Roms, and undermine the used book market by constantly releasing new editions.
• WISPIRG supports requiring publishers to include pricing information and changes in content in new editions with any information they provide to faculty about a textbook, and to provide unbundled options. Wisconsin should prevent publishers from pricing students out of an education.
Protecting Consumers
Consumers should be protected from unsafe, shoddy or over-priced products. Ideally, market forces should ensure that products are priced fairly, that consumers have adequate choices and that consumer health and safety is guaranteed when they buy goods and services. When market forces fail to achieve these outcomes, consumer protections are needed.
• WISPIRG supports SB211/AB416, the Check Scam Protection Bill, which would protect consumers and businesses by banning the use of the “check scam,” a deceptive practice wherein a consumer is sent a check that, when cashed, commits the victim to products or services that they do not intend to purchase.
• WISPIRG supports SB259/AB387, banning the practice of allowing credit scores to be used in determining insurance rates. There is no link between a credit score and insurance risk. Moreover, frequent inaccuracies in credit reports unfairly penalize consumers when this unfair business practice is allowed.
• WISPIRG supports SB245, the Smart Shopper Gift Card Bill, that protects the financial value of gift cards by eliminating service fees and prohibiting expiration dates. Consumers should receive the full value of the products they pay for.
Encouraging Toy Safety
Although most toys are safe, there are still a number of toy hazards found on toy shelves. The unfortunate news in August 2007 that another 9 million toys tainted with lead paint or dangerous small magnets were recalled only underscores the fact that hazards remain.
• WISPIRG supports SB37, the Children’s Product Safety Act, that prohibits the sale of an illegal or recalled children’s product by a commercial retailer. In addition, the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection must compile a list of toys that can not be sold and make this list available to the public via the Internet.
• WISPIRG supports banning toxic chemicals in toys. Children should not be exposed to chemicals that either are known to cause health effects or pose a potential hazard.
Fostering 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 SB182/AB355, which creates a system of full public financing for elections for state office.
• WISPIRG supports SB171/AB250, also known as the Impartial Justice Bill, which calls for the creation of a system of full public financing for state Supreme Court races.
Promoting Cheaper, Cleaner, Safer Energy
The best, simplest, quickest, cheapest, and cleanest way to solve our energy problems is to be a lot more aggressive on energy efficiency. Energy efficiency measures provide common sense solutions that save money, enhance reliability of the grid, and reduce air and water pollution, thereby protecting public health.
• WISPIRG supports AB725/SB421, which will create a seven day sales ‘tax holiday’ for Energy Star certified appliances sold in the state of Wisconsin, with the dual goal of encouraging the purchase of high efficiency appliances and saving consumers and businesses money on their energy bills.
• WISPIRG opposes AB346, which removes consumer and safety requirements for the construction of new nuclear power plants, including provisions that utilities must prove that new plants will be cost-effective and have a safe repository for radioactive waste.
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 global warming pollution and preventing sprawling development that threatens Wisconsin’s open spaces.
• WISPIRG supports legislation that allows localities to raise their own revenues for regional transportation agencies to improve transportation options.