We need a COVID-19 testing plan that meets our current needs and implements the widespread testing public health experts say it will take to move away from social distancing.
We need a COVID-19 testing plan that meets our current needs and implements the widespread testing public health experts say it will take to move away from social distancing.
Public Health
Responding to the crisis
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, now more than ever, we need to work together to ensure that our government has a coordinated, strategic response to safeguard the public’s health, protect consumers from emerging dangers and ensure people can still participate fully in our democracy.
Transportation
Texas commission heads the wrong way on $8 billion highway project
The Texas Transportation Commission recently released a plan to fully fund an expansion of Interstate 35 through downtown Austin. But evidence shows that highway projects such as these are more often boondoggles, wasting taxpayer dollars while exacerbating, not alleviating, traffic congestion.
Consumer Protection
Record volume of CFPB complaints encapsulates why Americans need greater financial protection
A U.S. PIRG report finds that complaints filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reached record numbers in April. Credit reporting complaints, which historically top the list, increased by more than 20,000.
COVID-19
PIRG backs $46.5 billion plan for contact-tracing and self-isolation
Health experts agree that contact-tracing and self-isolation are key elements in any successful reopening strategy. That's why our national network is supporting a bipartisan plan to allocate $46.5 billion to bolster coronavirus containment measures.
We can't do it without you.
TexPIRG is your advocate for the public interest, speaking out for healthier, safer, more secure lives for all of us.
News & Research
Blog Post
I’ve been reading the CFPB’s mail. It’s okay, you can too. It’s public. Not surprisingly, the latest CFPB consumer complaints paint a grim picture of the pandemic’s effect on family finances. I ask: Why isn’t the CFPB doing more to help struggling consumers?
Blog Post
Mortgage servicers failed Americans during the last recession. And if early data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is any indication, history may well be on its way to repeating.
News Release | U.S. PIRG Education Fund
This coming Monday, June 1, will mark the third full month that bills are due since COVID-19 was declared a national state of emergency in March. To help Americans manage their finances, U.S. PIRG Education Fund has published an updated guide with tips on what to do about paying bills during the crisis.
News Release
Texas Secretary of State Ruth Hughs released guidance today on how to prepare safe polling locations amid COVID-19.
Lauren Banister, TexPIRG associate, issued the following statement
News Release | U.S. PIRG
U.S. PIRG has joined leading consumer and banking organizations to applaud a bi-partisan Senate bill to broaden protections in the recent COVID-19 stimulus package. Under the CARES Act, Congress exempted Economic Impact Payments from offset for debts owed to federal and state agencies, except in the case of child support, but did not exempt them from court-ordered garnishment to pay creditors.
RESOURCE
Coronavirus update
In the midst of the coronavirus outbreak, we’ve taken steps for all of our staff to work remotely for safety reasons. But rest assured, we’ll keep advocating for you as we work for a healthier, safer world.
Learn more about how we can work together to address the COVID-19 pandemic.