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Media Hit | Food

Michigan Messenger: Ag subsidies blamed for obesity epidemic

Gov. Rick Snyder’s campaign to reduce obesity may be impeded by federal agricultural subsidies that make junk food cheaper than fruits and vegetables. In a new report — Apples to Twinkies: Comparing Federal Subsidies of Fresh Produce and Junk Food — the Public Interest Research Group in Michigan finds that between 1995 and 2010 Americans spent over $260 billion on agricultural subsidies, with most of the money going to commodity crops like corn and soybeans, which are processed into high fructose corn syrup and oil and used in snack foods.

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Report | PIRGIM Education Fund | Food

Apples to Twinkies

The rise in childhood obesity has many causes, but one of the most important is the increased prevalence of high-fat, heavily sweetened junk food.  And shockingly, American taxpayers are spending billions to subsidize junk food ingredients, making the problem worse.

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Result | Food

Researching How Tax Dollars Become Twinkies

PIRGIM research found that since 1995, $17 billion in agricultural subsidies have gone to corn syrup and other junk food ingredients. That’s enough to buy 2.8 billion Twinkies, and vastly more than has gone to apples and other fresh fruits and vegetables.

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Report | U.S. PIRG | Financial Reform

Ten Reasons Why We Need the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Now

For years leading up to the 2008 financial collapse, federal bank regulators ignored numerous warnings of increasingly predatory mortgage practices, credit card tricks and unfair overdraft policies used by banks. The banks were earning billions from “gotcha” practices. Incredibly, bank regulators actively encouraged this behavior, arguing it was profitable and kept banks safe. No regulator cared about its other (and, to them, secondary) job: enforcing consumer laws.

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Media Hit | Tax

Daily Tribune: Corporate tax protesters gather at Royal Oak post office

Taxpayers gathered at the Royal Oak post office today to call for closing loopholes they say allow 83 of the 100 largest corporations in America to avoid an estimated $100 billion a year in taxes by hiding their profits overseas.

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Report | MASSPIRG | Higher Ed

Exposing the Textbook Industry

Today’s college students are under enormous financial pressure. The gap between tuition and fees and financial aid leaves many students working long hours through college, struggling to make ends meet, and graduating with large debts. The high cost of textbooks is yet another financial burden. The cost of textbooks is not just a drop in the bucket of tuition and fees; the average student spends about $900 per year on textbooks, which is nearly 20% of tuition and fees at a four year public institution. Moreover, textbook prices are rising at about four times the rate of inflation.

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Report | U.S. PIRG | Higher Ed

Cutting Interest Rates, Lowering Student Debt

In 21st century America, a college education is critical for individual success and the strength of our nation.  Higher education is associated with better health, greater wealth and more vibrant civic participation, as well national economic competitiveness in today’s global environment.  As the need for a college degree has grown, however, so has the cost of obtaining that education.  The result is rising student debt.

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Report | PIRGIM Education Fund

Undisclosed Pollution

Since 1987, the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) program has been the nation’s premiere pollution disclosure program. By requiring companies to disclose the pollution they release to our air, water, and land, transfer off site, or dispose in a waste dump, the TRI program has ensured the public’s right-to-know about toxic pollution in communities.

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Report | PIRGIM Education Fund | Consumer Protection

Body of Evidence

Manufacturers of common household products add Deca to plastics or fabrics to make them resist the spread of fire. A growing body of evidence shows that exposure to Deca may cause adverse health effects, including damage to the nervous system and impaired motor skills.

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Report | PIRGIM | Consumer Protection

Policing Privacy

This report summarizes interviews PIRGIM held with Michigan law enforcement officers from September 2003. These officers are on the front lines of the efforts to slow the identity theft crime wave. Their unique and often unheard perspective results from their contact with every aspect of the crime, as well as the multiple players involved-the victims, the credit lenders, the thieves and the prosecutors.

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Tools & Resources

  • Let’s Update The Bottle Bill
    Every year we needlessly throw away enough bottles and cans to wrap around Lake Michigan 33 times. It’s time to Update the Bottle Bill.
    Learn more
    Take Action
  • YOUR TAX DOLLARS BECOME CORN SYRUP
    At a time when one-in-three kids is overweight or obese, over a billion taxpayer dollars go to high-fructose corn syrup and junk food ingredients.
    Learn more
    Take Action
  • 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
  • STOP TAX DODGERS
    Corporate tax avoidance cost Michiganders $2 billion last year. PIRGIM is working to close the loopholes that allow companies to avoid paying the taxes they owe.
    Learn more
    Take Action

You Can Help

We have a chance to cut billions in junk food subsidies this year. Your support will help us do the research, advocacy and grassroots organizing to convince our elected officials to act.

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Priority Action

Given public concern about obesity and federal spending, your support can help us finally beat Big Ag and end subsidies for junk food.

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