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Media Hit | Consumer Protection

Free checking still widely available, report says; some banks mum on fee info

Free checking can still be found at financial institutions in Wisconsin and nationwide, but consumers are more likely to see it at smaller banks and at credit unions than at some of the biggest banks, according to a survey by Public Interest Research Groups around the country.
Free checking can still be found at financial institutions in Wisconsin and nationwide, but consumers are more likely to see it at smaller banks and at credit unions than at some of the biggest banks, according to a survey by Public Interest Research Groupsaround the country. 

Read more: http://host.madison.com/business/free-checking-still-widely-available-report-says-some-banks-mum/article_a45e708c-2f79-11e2-8638-001a4bcf887a.html#ixzz2CVvvHGyc

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Blog Post | Health Care

Health Care and Business Leaders Rise Up for a State-Based Health Insurance Exchange | Bruce Speight

We understand that the Affordable Care Act and its core components, including the health insurance exchanges, have become highly polarized and partisan, despite being solutions that have been embraced by both Republicans and Democrats for many years.  But, it is a time for cool heads to prevail and for Governor Walker and state leaders to do what is right for Wisconsin - develop a state-based health insurance exchange.

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Report | WISPIRG Foundation | Consumer Protection

Big Banks, Bigger Fees 2012

Since Congress largely deregulated consumer deposit (checking and savings) accounts beginning in the early 1980s, the state PIRGs have tracked bank deposit account fee changes and documented the banks’ long-term strategy to raise fees, invent new fees and make it harder to avoid fees.  Over the last six months, state PIRG staff conducted inquiries at 250 bank and 116 credit union branches in 17 states and the District of Columbia and reviewed bank fees online in these and 7 other states.

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News Release | WISPIRG Foundation | Consumer Protection

New Survey Shows Free Checking Widely Available At Small Banks

A survey of 26 Wisconsin banks and credit unions and hundreds of banks and credit unions in 24 states and the District of Columbia found that free checking remains available at more than 6 out of 10 small banks and credit unions but was only found at one-quarter of surveyed big banks (those with over $10 billion in deposits). The survey released by the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group (WISPIRG) also revealed that fewer than half of branches surveyed obeyed their legal duty to fully disclose fees to prospective customers on the first request, while 12% provided no fee information at all.

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Blog Post | Democracy

Voters Reject Big Money in Politics, Now It’s Time for Reform | Joe Rasmussen

Voters sent a message last Tuesday, showing resounding support for our leaders to take steps to deal with the outsized influence of big money in our elections, including a resolution passed in Eau Claire County, WI endorsing a Constitutional Amendment to overturn Citizens United.

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Media Hit | Higher Ed

The New Student Battle Cry: Don't Double My Rate!

The media and the country are just waking up to the alarming fact that unless Congress acts by July 1, the interest rate on subsidized Stafford student loans will double from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent. Congress must not let that happen.

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Media Hit | Tax

Bruce Speight - La Crosse Tribune Op:ed: Tax code leaves us picking up the tab

This week, hard-working people and small business owners in La Crosse and all around the country will file their tax returns. Many would be shocked to hear about an invisible tax burden put on them this year by some of the largest, most profitable corporations.

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News Release | WISPIRG | Tax

Congresswoman Moore Statement on Offshore Tax Havens

Congresswoman Moore Statement on Offshore Tax Havens and WISPIRG "Picking Up the Tab" Report.

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News Release | WISPIRG Foundation | Tax

Offshore Tax Havens Cost Average Wisconsin Taxpayers $372 a Year, Each Wisconsin Small Business $2,165, New Study Finds

With tax day approaching, a new study released by WISPIRG found that the average Wisconsin taxpayer in 2011 would have to shoulder an extra $372 tax burden to make up for revenue lost from corporations and wealthy individuals shifting income to offshore tax havens. The report additionally found that the average additional tax burden shouldered by Wisconsin small businesses added up to $2,165 due to the “offshoring” of profits by large corporations.

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Media Hit | Transportation

Report Shows Driving Down In Wisconsin

Since the year 2000, Wisconsin has seen a 2% increase in those without a driver's license under age 30. (from 14 to 16 percent) A new report questions whether transportation spending is out of step with how people--especially younger ones-- are getting around.

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Report | WISPIRG Foundation | Tax

Tax Shell Game

According to “Tax Shell Games: How Much Did Offshore Tax Havens Cost You in 2010?” a new Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group (WISPIRG) report, the use of offshore tax havens results in $434 in additional tax burden for taxpayers around the country.  Here in Wisconsin, it’s $372 per taxpayer.

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Report | WISPIRG Foundation | Financial Reform

Big Banks Bigger Fees

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Report | WISPIRG Foundation | Safe Energy

Unacceptable Risk

A new report released today by the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group documents a history of safety problems at nuclear reactors in the United States. These incidents – like the crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant in Japan – illustrate that nuclear power carries with it risks that are simply not worth taking.

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Report | WISPIRG Foundation | Budget

Following the Money 2011

Wisconsin got a “D+” when it comes to openness about government spending, according to Following the Money 2011: How the States Rank on Providing Online Access to Government Spending Data, the second annual report of its kind by the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group (WISPIRG).  Included with the report is an interactive online tool that allows users to view what Wisconsin is doing best and worst compared to other states’ transparency practices.

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Report | WISPIRG | Health Care

Building a Better Health Care Marketplace

The opportunity to create a state exchange will allow Wisconsin to increase competition and improve choices in our insurance market. However, to fully realize this opportunity, the exchange must be accountable to the public, and the individual and small business consumers who will buy their coverage through it.

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Tools & Resources

  • Reclaim Democracy
    The Supreme Court's Citizens United decision ushered in an era of unprecedented spending by big money in our elections, but we're working to return our democracy back to the principle of "one person, one vote."
    Learn more
    ADD YOUR VOICE
  • END SECRET MONEY GIVEAWAYS
    Wisconsin recently lost track of $50 million in taxpayer loans to private companies. We're working for new rules and oversight to protect taxpayers from waste, fraud and abuse.
    Learn More
  • How Many Tax Dollars In A Twinkie?
    Every year, more than a billion taxpayer dollars subsidize high-fructose corn syrup and other key ingredients in junk food at a time when 1 in 3 kids is overweight or obese.
    Take Action
  • STOP TAX DODGERS
    Corporate tax avoidance cost Wisconsinites $1.6 billion last year. WISPIRG is working to close the loopholes that allow companies to avoid paying the taxes they owe.
    Learn more
    Sign the petition

You Can Help

We have a chance to curb the unprecedented spending by big money in our elections. Your support will help us do the research, advocacy and grassroots organizing to convince our elected officials to act.

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JOIN THE CALL

Already 300-plus communities and seven states have gone on record calling for a constitutional amendment. Make sure you town has joined the call to stanch the flow of special interest money in our elections.

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