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News Release | NJPIRG Law & Policy Center | Budget, Tax

“IT’S TIME TO LISTEN TO MAIN STREET, NOT WALL STREET”

TRENTON, December 6th – With Congress scrambling to agree on ways to reduce the deficit, NJPIRG and the NJ Main Street Alliance joined with New Jersey small business owners today, urging Congress and the President to listen to the needs of small businesses in ongoing debates over the fate of the Bush tax cuts and corporate tax loopholes. The groups were supported in their push for more equitable individual and corporate taxation by Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06).

Report | NJPIRG Law & Policy Center | Budget, Tax

What America Could Do with $150 Billion Lost to Offshore Tax Havens

Many corporations and wealthy individuals use offshore tax havens—countries with minimal or no taxes—to avoid paying $150 billion in U.S. taxes each year. To put this sum in perspective, this factsheet provides examples of how it could be used.

Media Hit | Tax

Opinion: BP Settlement on Gulf Oil Spill Flows From Its Own Deep Pockets

Unlike earlier BP settlements related to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf, the November 2012 settlement forces the company to take responsibility for its crimes that tragically cost 11 workers’ lives and led to an environmental catastrophe - and this time, American taxpayers won’t be asked to pick up much of the tab.

News Release | NJPIRG Law & Policy Center | Consumer Protection

Survey Finds Dangerous Toys on Store Shelves

Dangerous or toxic toys can still be found on America’s store shelves, according to New Jersey Public Interest Research Group’s 27th annual Trouble in Toyland report.

Report | NJPIRG Law & Policy Center | Consumer Protection

Trouble in Toyland 2012

The 2012 Trouble in Toyland report is the 27th annual U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) survey of toy safety. In this report, U.S. PIRG provides safety guidelines for consumers when purchasing toys for small children and provides examples of toys currently on store shelves that may pose potential safety hazards.

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News Release | NJPIRG | Safe Energy

Court Recognizes Spent Fuel Safety Threat

“We’re pleased the Court recognized that nuclear waste storage poses a significant health and safety threat and the NRC’s storage rules demand further scrutiny.”

"Spent fuel storage is a very real problem for New Jerseyans and Governor Christie was right to challenge the NRC."

News Release | NJPIRG | Safe Energy

NJPIRG Statement on the Resignation of NRC Chairman Gregory Jaczko

“We are deeply concerned by Chairman Gregory Jaczko’s resignation from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.”

News Release | NJPIRG Law and Policy Center | Transportation

New Report: Long-Term Drop in How Much People Drive, Youth Desire More Transportation Options

A new report released today by the NJPIRG Law and Policy Center demonstrates that Americans have been driving less since the middle of last decade. The report, Transportation and the New Generation: Why Young People are Driving Less and What it Means for Transportation Policy, shows that young people in particular are decreasing the amount they drive and increasing their use of transportation alternatives.

News Release | NJPIRG Law and Policy Center | Democracy, Tax

Thirty Companies Contribute $41 Million to 524 Members of Congress, Receive $10.6 Billion in Tax Rebates

A new report released Wednesday, March 21 by NJPIRG Law and Policy Center and Citizens for Tax Justice (CTJ) found that thirty unusually aggressive tax dodging corporations have made campaign contributions to 524 (98 percent) sitting members of Congress, and disproportionately to the leadership of both parties and to key committee members.

News Release | NJPIRG Law & Policy Center | Budget, Tax

New Report: New Jersey Receives a “C+” in Annual Report on Transparency of Government Spending

NJ receives a C+ in online access to government spending, in this third annual report.

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Report | NJPIRG Law & Policy Center | Financial Reform

Remove Barriers to Low Interest Rates

Congress has a rare bipartisan opportunity to put more money in Americans’ pockets, strengthen the housing market and boost the entire economy. By making it easier to refinance into today’s low interest rates, Congress could expand the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) so it helps up to 13 million Americans nationwide save $35 billion.* In our state alone, more than 402,000 families would qualify, saving them about $1.67 billion in lower mortgage payments.

Report | NJPIRG Law & Policy Center | Financial Reform, Higher Ed

The Campus Debit Card Trap

Banks and other financial firms are taking advantage of a variety of opportunities to form partnerships with colleges and universities to produce campus student ID cards and to offer student aid disbursements on debit or prepaid cards.

Report | 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.

Report | NJPIRG Law and Policy Center | Transportation

Transportation and the New Generation

The United States is in the midst of the longest decline in driving since World War II, with the greatest reduction in driving occurring among young people. Transportation and the New Generation explores the reasons why young people are driving less and the implications for transportation policy in the United States.

Report | NJPIRG Law and Policy Center | 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 NJPIRG’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.

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How Your Taxes Become Twinkies

Find out how government subsidies disproportionately benefit junk food over fresh fruit and vegetables.

Get the report
Bigger Banks Have Bigger Fees

Our survey found that more than half of banks are not entirely upfront about their fees. Some even broke the law.

Get the report
Our Unsafe Nuclear Power Plants

Our report, “Unacceptable Risk,” examines two decades worth of “close calls,” leaks and other problems at our country’s 104 nuclear reactors.

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Making The Grade

Find out how our state stacks up in reforming our health care system and learn more about health insurance exchanges.

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