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MASSPIRG FIGHTS FOR THE PUBLIC­—MASSPIRG Executive Director Janet Domenitz testifying before the legislative committee considering the Updated Bottle Bill, urging lawmakers to stand with the public instead of siding with the beverage and bottling industries, and to vote to update the commonwealth's most sucessful recycling program.

An Independent Voice For Consumers

MASSPIRG is a consumer group that stands up to powerful interests whenever they threaten our health and safety, our financial security or our right to fully participate in our democratic society. 

Since 1972, we’ve stood up for consumers, countering the influence of big banks, insurers, chemical manufacturers and other powerful special interests. 

Our team of researchers uncovers the facts; our staff bring our findings to the public, through the media as well as one-on-one interactions; and our advocates bring the voice of the public to the halls of power on behalf of consumers.

MASSPIRG takes on powerful interests on behalf of consumers in Massachusetts, working to win concrete results for our health, safety and financial security. Since 1972, we’ve been a voice for consumers, countering the influence of big banks, insurers, chemical manufacturers and other powerful special interests. Our team of researchers uncovers the facts; our staff bring our findings to the public, through the media as well as one-on-one interactions; and our advocates bring the voice of the public to the halls of power on behalf of consumers.

OUR TOP PRIORITIES

Using the time-tested tools of investigative research, media exposés, grassroots organizing, advocacy and litigation, MASSPIRG stands up to powerful interests and delivers concrete results. 


 

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

MASSPIRG is pushing state leaders to implement a comprehensive plan to reduce, reuse and recycle our waste down to zero—starting by expanding the Bottle Bill to cover bottled water and sports drinks. >LEARN MORE
 

 

IMPROVE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

MASSPIRG is fighting to enhance and expand public transportation statewide, whether it’s improving conditions for the T, extending the reach of commuter rail, or expanding bus service for the regional transit authorities. >LEARN MORE
 

 

PROTECT KIDS' HEALTH

MASSPIRG is working to keep our children safe. In 2008, we helped ban lead in children’s products. Now, the chemical industry and manufacturers are lobbying Congress to “reform” the law and allow lead back into toys. >LEARN MORE
 


 

MASSPIRG Staff — A Partial List

 

MASSPIRG is an advocate for the public interest. When consumers are cheated, or the voices of ordinary citizens are drowned out by special interest lobbyists, MASSPIRG speaks up and takes action. We uncover threats to public health and well-being and fight for the public interest.


 
JANET DOMENITZ

Executive Director

(617) 292-4800

>CONTACT
>BIO
 

 

DEIRDRE CUMMINGS

Legislative Director

(617) 292-4800

>CONTACT
>BIO
 

 

ELIZABETH WEYANT

Staff Attorney

(617) 747-4314

>CONTACT
>BIO
 

 

Funded by our Citizen Members

 

Thousands of MASSPIRG members and supporters fund the staff who conduct research, public education and advocacy on important issues. You provide the clout we need to win real results.

MASSPIRG And The Federation Of State Public Interest Research Groups

 

MASSPIRG is an independent, state-based, citizen-funded organization that advocates for the public interest and is a member of U.S. PIRG, the federation of state Public Interest Research Groups.

 

Since 1970, state PIRGs have delivered results-oriented citizen activism, stood up to powerful special interests, and used the time-tested tools of investigative research, media exposés, grassroots organizing, advocacy and litigation to win real results on issues that matter.

 

Across the country, state PIRGs employ close to 400 organizers, policy analysts, scientists and attorneys, and are active in 47 states, with a federal lobby office in Washington, D.C. On national issues that impact Bay Staters, we also coordinate our efforts, pool resources, and share expertise so that we can have the biggest impact — here in Massachusetts and for the country at large.

 

What's New

Media Hit | Solid Waste

Still waiting for state’s master plan to reduce solid waste

While it’s cause for great celebration that Massachusetts is planning to reduce waste, it’s also a reminder that the Department of Environmental Protection has yet to produce the solid waste master plan — the comprehensive, 10-year waste plan required by law. We can’t help feeling like we’re at the celebration, blindfolded, with a tail in our hands but no donkey on the wall.

 

> Keep Reading
News Release | MASSPIRG | Consumer Protection

Consumer Groups Oppose Bill to Remove Prices From Groceries

 

It soon may be harder for Massachusetts shoppers to find out the price of groceries if a bill just entering the final stage of passage in the House becomes law.

“Everywhere we turn, we are bombarded with ever more sophisticated pricing strategies and gimmicks by companies trying to sell us things.  These days shoppers need more and clearer price information, not less about the products we buy,” said Deirdre Cummings, MASSPIRG legislative director.  “This is a pro-big-business, anti-consumer bill.”

> Keep Reading
News Release | MASSPIRG | Higher Ed

Students Give Scott Brown a Math Lesson

“Senator Scott Brown has expressed his commitment to affordable higher education. But on Tuesday he voted to block a Senate bill that would have extended existing student loan interest rates,” said Lizzi Weyant, staff attorney at MASSPIRG. “Bay State students can’t afford for him not to vote the right way.”

> Keep Reading
News Release | MASSPIRG | Democracy

First-of-its-kind “Refrain From Political Spending” Resolution to Be Voted on at Bank of America Shareholder Meeting Wednesday

On Wednesday, May 9, shareholders at Bank of America will vote “yea” or “nay” on a first-of-its-kind “refrain from political spending” resolution.

“With this resolution, we are bidding to take back democracy from corporate special interests. Bank of America is the archetype of the reckless corporation, and we do not want them or any other corporate interest having unlimited power in our democracy,” said Janet Domenitz.

> Keep Reading
Media Hit | Higher Ed

MASSPIRG on Student Loans

MASSPIRG is out with a release today stating that a potential increase in interest rates for federal student loans could cost Massachusetts students $160 million a year. According to MASSPIRG, the average student who takes out student loans graduates with over $25,000 in debt on those loans. On average, doubling the interest rate would add about $1,000 for every year a student takes out a loan, MASSPIRG stated.

> Keep Reading

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Media Hit | Solid Waste

Still waiting for state’s master plan to reduce solid waste

While it’s cause for great celebration that Massachusetts is planning to reduce waste, it’s also a reminder that the Department of Environmental Protection has yet to produce the solid waste master plan — the comprehensive, 10-year waste plan required by law. We can’t help feeling like we’re at the celebration, blindfolded, with a tail in our hands but no donkey on the wall.

 

> Keep Reading
News Release | MASSPIRG | Consumer Protection

Consumer Groups Oppose Bill to Remove Prices From Groceries

 

It soon may be harder for Massachusetts shoppers to find out the price of groceries if a bill just entering the final stage of passage in the House becomes law.

“Everywhere we turn, we are bombarded with ever more sophisticated pricing strategies and gimmicks by companies trying to sell us things.  These days shoppers need more and clearer price information, not less about the products we buy,” said Deirdre Cummings, MASSPIRG legislative director.  “This is a pro-big-business, anti-consumer bill.”

> Keep Reading
News Release | MASSPIRG | Higher Ed

Students Give Scott Brown a Math Lesson

“Senator Scott Brown has expressed his commitment to affordable higher education. But on Tuesday he voted to block a Senate bill that would have extended existing student loan interest rates,” said Lizzi Weyant, staff attorney at MASSPIRG. “Bay State students can’t afford for him not to vote the right way.”

> Keep Reading
News Release | MASSPIRG | Democracy

First-of-its-kind “Refrain From Political Spending” Resolution to Be Voted on at Bank of America Shareholder Meeting Wednesday

On Wednesday, May 9, shareholders at Bank of America will vote “yea” or “nay” on a first-of-its-kind “refrain from political spending” resolution.

“With this resolution, we are bidding to take back democracy from corporate special interests. Bank of America is the archetype of the reckless corporation, and we do not want them or any other corporate interest having unlimited power in our democracy,” said Janet Domenitz.

> Keep Reading
Media Hit | Higher Ed

MASSPIRG on Student Loans

MASSPIRG is out with a release today stating that a potential increase in interest rates for federal student loans could cost Massachusetts students $160 million a year. According to MASSPIRG, the average student who takes out student loans graduates with over $25,000 in debt on those loans. On average, doubling the interest rate would add about $1,000 for every year a student takes out a loan, MASSPIRG stated.

> Keep Reading

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Result | Financial Reform

Reining in Wall Street

On July 21, 2010, Congress enacted the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.  Senator Scott Brown voted in favor of reform after MASSPIRG presented him with a new ride to replace his iconic, old pick up truck.  A BMW is more befitting of a man with close ties to Wall Street. Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown voted for Financial Reform.

> Keep Reading
Result | Transportation

Expanding Public Transportation

Fewer cars will clog Boston’s highways thanks to an upcoming five-mile extension of the Green Line. Our research and advocacy helped build support for the project. We also helped convince state leaders to begin study on four additional major rail expansions.

> Keep Reading
Result | Health Care

Ending Big Pharma’s Giveaways To Doctors

Drugmakers can no longer shower doctors with free gifts, meals and trips to boost the sales of prescription drugs. That’s because we persuaded Beacon Hill leaders to crack down on Pharma’s “direct-to-doctor” marketing practices, which contribute to the spiraling cost of prescriptions.

> Keep Reading
Result | Consumer Protection

Keeping Dangerous Toys Off Store Shelves

Toxic chemicals, including lead and hormone-disrupting phthalates, are now banned in toys, thanks to a law we worked alongside our delegation to help pass in Congress. The same law requires regulators to test toys and infant products for safety before they hit store shelves.

> 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

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Report | MASSPIRG Education Fund | Budget, Tax

Picking up the Tab

Some U.S.-based multinational firms or individuals avoid paying U.S. taxes by transferring their earnings to tax haven countries with minimal or no taxes. These tax haven users benefit from their access to America’s markets, workforce, infrastructure and security; but they pay little or nothing for it—violating the basic fairness of the tax system and forcing other taxpayers to pick up the tab.

> Keep Reading
Report | MASSPIRG Education Fund | Transportation

Transportation and the New Generation

The trend away from steady growth in driving is likely to be long-lasting—even once the economy recovers. Young people are driving less for a host of reasons—higher gas prices, new licensing laws, improvements in technology that support alternative transportation, and changes in Generation Y’s values and preferences—all factors that are likely to have an impact for years to come.

> Keep Reading
Report | MASSPIRG Education Fund | Health Care

massachusetts Lives at Risk

The United States Congress is currently considering so-called “regulatory reform” legislation that would add new bureaucratic hurdles to stall and, in some cases, stop the creation of new safeguards and standards that hold corporations accountable and protect the public. According to our analysis, the result would be demonstrable harm for the people of Massachusetts.

> Keep Reading
Report | MASSPIRG Education Fund | Democracy, Tax

Loopholes for Sale

Recent polls show a large majority of Americans, including small business owners, are convinced that profitable corporations are not paying enough in taxes. Citizens for Tax Justice and U.S. PIRG’s Loopholes for Sale pursues the intersection of corporate campaign contributions to members of Congress and the absence of Congressional action to close corporate tax loopholes and raise additional revenue from corporate taxes. The report includes the following findings:

> Keep Reading
Report | MASSPIRG Education Fund | Budget, Tax

Following the Money 2012

The ability to see how government uses the public purse is fundamental to democracy. Transparency in government spending promotes fiscal responsibility, checks corruption, and bolsters public confidence

> Keep Reading

Pages

Blog Post | Solid Waste

March Madness and the Updated Bottle Bill | Janet Domenitz

The TUE committee postpones moving the bill out of Committee (technically called an ‘extension’), AGAIN.

> Keep Reading
Blog Post | Democracy

Testimony in favor of A Resolution Restoring Free Speech | Janet Domenitz

The resolution calls upon the United States Congress to pass, and send to the states for ratification, a constitutional amendment to restore the First Amendment and fair elections to the people. The impetus for this resolution was a decision issued by the United States Supreme Court in January 2010 which basically allowed for unlimited, as well as untraceable, corporate money in our electoral campaigns.

> Keep Reading
Blog Post | Financial Reform

CFPB to announces overdraft fee investigation, unveiling "penalty box" disclosure, possibly ending $39 lattes.Ed MierzwinskiElizabeth Weyant

At a news conference in NYC today, Director Richard Cordray of the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) will announce a major investigation of bank overdraft fee practices and propose a model "penalty box" disclosure to appear on bank statements. The investigation could end the $39 latte-- $4 bucks for the coffee, $35 for the debit card overdraft fee.

> Keep Reading
Blog Post | Consumer Protection

Testimony Opposing SB 548 An Act Relative to Manufacturer Rebates and Discount Programs | Deirdre Cummings

MASSPIRG strongly opposes SB 548 An Act Relative to Manufacturer Rebates and Discount Programs which will increase cost of health care by repealing the current prohibition on the drug industry marketing tactic, rx co-pay coupons, designed to increase the use of higher cost, more profitable, brand name drugs. 

> Keep Reading
Blog Post | Democracy

In Support of An Act Relative to Accountability for Corporate Political Spending | Janet Domenitz

We sorely need this bill as result of a terrible Supreme Court decision last year. The decision in Citizens United v. FEC afforded already powerful corporate interests even greater influence in our elections. In that decision, five of the nine justices decided to sweep away decades of legal precedent and protections which served to uphold the integrity of our elections process. An Act Relative to Accountability for Corporate Political Spending is a straightforward and important response to this ‘deform’.

> Keep Reading

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