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About Iowa PIRG

For more than 20 years, Consumer Program Director Ed Mierzwinski has helped us stand up against big banks and credit card companies.

An Independent Voice For Consumers

Iowa PIRG 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. 

For decades, 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.

Our Mission
When consumers are cheated or the voices of ordinary citizens are drowned out by special interest lobbyists, Iowa PIRG speaks up and takes action. We uncover threats to public health and wellbeing and fight to end them, using the time-tested tools of investigative research, media exposés, grassroots organizing, advocacy and litigation. Iowa PIRG’s mission is to deliver persistent, result-oriented public interest activism that protects consumers, encourages a fair, sustainable economy, and fosters responsive, democratic government.

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

AN INDEPENDENT VOICE FOR CONSUMERS

Consumer Program Director Ed Mierzwinski has fought for consumers for more than 20 years. He spearheaded the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which recently forced Capital One to pay back $140 million in unfair credit card fees to consumers.>LEARN MORE


 

CLOSE CORPORATE TAX LOOPHOLES

We exposed the Fortune 500 companies like GE and Goldman Sachs who stash their profits away overseas to dodge taxes. Offshore tax havens cost us an estimated $150 billion every year. >LEARN MORE
 

 

CAMPAIGN FOR ENERGY SAFETY

Rather than forcing Iowans to pay for expensive and risky nuclear power plants, our leaders need to put Iowa on the path to a safer, more responsible energy future. >LEARN MORE
 

 

21st CENTURY TRANSPORTATION

Passenger rail could bring jobs and economic development while connecting Des Moines to Ohmaha and Chicago. We've been showing the governor that if they build it, Iowans will ride it. >LEARN MORE
 


 

Iowa PIRG And The Federation Of State Public Interest Research Groups
Iowa PIRG 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 Georgians, we also coordinate our efforts, pool resources, and share expertise so that we can have the biggest impact—here in Georgia and for the country at large.

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


 

SONIA ASHE

Advocate

(515) 282-4193

>CONTACT
>BIO
 

 

STEVE BLACKLEDGE

Regional Director

(916) 448-4516 x108

>CONTACT
>BIO
 

 

GARY KALMAN

Federal Legislative Office Director

(202) 546-9707 x311

>CONTACT
>BIO
 

 

ED MIERZWINSKI

Federal Consumer Program Director

(202) 546-9707 x314

>CONTACT
>BIO
 


 

Funded By Our Citizen Members 

Thousands of Iowa PIRG members and supporters fund our staff so we can counter the influence of powerful special interests by: 

 

• conducting research; 

• educating the public; and 

• advocating in the public interest by, for example, making our case face-to-face with elected officials. 

 

Your contribution provides the resources and the clout we need to win real results. 

 

What's New

Report | Iowa PIRG Education Fund | Transportation

A New Direction

Americans drive fewer total miles today than we did eight years ago, and fewer per person than we did at the end of Bill Clinton’s first term. The unique combina­tion of conditions that fueled the Driving Boom—from cheap gas prices to the rapid expansion of the workforce during the Baby Boom generation—no longer exists. Meanwhile, a new generation—the Mil­lennials—is demanding a new American Dream less dependent on driving.

> Keep Reading
News Release | Iowa PIRG | Tax

Offshore Tax Havens Cost Average Iowa Taxpayer $897 a Year, Iowa Small Businesses $2,712

With Tax Day approaching, it’s a good time to be reminded of where our tax dollars are going. Sonia Ashe of Iowa PIRG was joined today by Sue Dinsdale of the Iowa Citizen Action Network and Lora Fraracci, owner of local cleaning service Earth Made Clean, to release a new study which revealed that the average Iowa taxpayer in 2012 would have to shoulder an extra $897 in taxes to make up for the revenue lost due to the use of offshore tax havens by corporations and wealthy individuals. 

> Keep Reading
Report | Iowa PIRG | Budget, Tax

Picking Up the Tab 2013

Some U.S.-based multinational firms and individuals avoid paying U.S. taxes by using accounting tricks to shift profits made in America to offshore tax havens—countries with minimal or no taxes. They 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
News Release | Iowa PIRG Education Fund | Tax

Sun Shines on Government Spending in Iowa

Iowa received a “B” when it comes to government spending transparency, according to “Following the Money 2013: How the States Rank on Providing Online Access to Government Spending Data,” the fourth annual report of its kind by the Iowa PIRG Education Fund

> Keep Reading
Report | Iowa PIRG Education Fund | Tax

Following the Money 2013

Every year, state governments spend tens of billions of dollars through contracts with private entities for goods and services, subsidies to encourage economic development, grants, and other forms of spending. Accountability and public scrutiny are necessary to ensure that state funds are well spent. 

> Keep Reading

Pages

News Release | Iowa PIRG | Tax

Offshore Tax Havens Cost Average Iowa Taxpayer $897 a Year, Iowa Small Businesses $2,712

With Tax Day approaching, it’s a good time to be reminded of where our tax dollars are going. Sonia Ashe of Iowa PIRG was joined today by Sue Dinsdale of the Iowa Citizen Action Network and Lora Fraracci, owner of local cleaning service Earth Made Clean, to release a new study which revealed that the average Iowa taxpayer in 2012 would have to shoulder an extra $897 in taxes to make up for the revenue lost due to the use of offshore tax havens by corporations and wealthy individuals. 

> Keep Reading
News Release | Iowa PIRG Education Fund | Tax

Sun Shines on Government Spending in Iowa

Iowa received a “B” when it comes to government spending transparency, according to “Following the Money 2013: How the States Rank on Providing Online Access to Government Spending Data,” the fourth annual report of its kind by the Iowa PIRG Education Fund

> Keep Reading
News Release | Iowa PIRG

Iowa PIRG participates in roundtable with CFPB

Iowa PIRG Advocate Sonia Ashe joined consumer advocates, financial industry leaders and academics in assessing the strengths and areas for improvement in a new complaint database launched by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at a field hearing at the Des Moines Central Library attended by CFPB Director Richard Cordray and other high-ranking CFPB officials.

> Keep Reading
Media Hit | Tax

Corporate wrongdoing should not be tax deductible

Although we seem to generally be on the road to economic recovery — my blood still boils when I think about the role big banks played in the mortgage crisis that drove our economy to the brink of collapse. It boils a little more when I remember the record profits they enjoyed afterwards, and the multibillion dollar bonuses they doled out after benefiting from a taxpayer bailout.

> Keep Reading
News Release | Iowa PIRG Ed Fund | Tax

Offshore Tax Dodging Blows a $260 Million Hole in Iowa’s Budget

In the midst of debates over Iowa’s budget, Iowa PIRG Ed Fund released a new study revealing that Iowa lost $260 million due to offshore tax dodging in 2012. Many of America’s wealthiest individuals and largest corporations, including 83 of the 100 largest publicly traded companies, use tax loopholes to shift profits made in the United States to offshore tax havens, where they pay little to no taxes.

> Keep Reading

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Result | Safe Energy

Once Again - Protecting Consumers from the High Cost and Risk of Nuclear Power

For the second year in a row, MidAmerican Energy attempted to put ratepayers on the hook for new nuclear power plants in Iowa - with no consumer protections to limit how much we'd have to pay, and no possibility of refund if plans for the plant fell through. Thanks to the concerted effort of Iowa PIRG and coalition partners, we were able to stop this bad bill from passing once again.

> Keep Reading
Result | Consumer Protection

President Confirms Director Cordray To Head the CFPB

Iowa PIRG applauds President Obama for standing up for consumers by making a recess appointment of former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray to head the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The President’s action means that the CFPB indisputably now has all its powers to protect the public from unfair financial practices, whether by banks or other financial firms, such as payday lenders and credit bureaus.

> Keep Reading
Result | Safe Energy

Protecting Iowans from the financial risk of nuclear power

Iowa PIRG stopped Iowa leaders from allowing MidAmerican Energy to charge ratepayers in advance for the development, licensing and construction of new nuclear power plants in Iowa.

> Keep Reading
Result | Budget, Tax

New Transparency in Government Spending for Iowans

Iowa PIRG put pressure on decision makers to provide Iowans with transparent information about government spending - allowing us to hold government officials accountable when it comes to the public purse.

> Keep Reading
Result | Transportation

Keeping Iowa on Track with Passenger Rail

Iowa PIRG helped Iowans stay on track to updating our transportation system with new passenger rail from Iowa City to Chicago.

> Keep Reading

Pages

Report | Iowa PIRG Education Fund | Transportation

A New Direction

Americans drive fewer total miles today than we did eight years ago, and fewer per person than we did at the end of Bill Clinton’s first term. The unique combina­tion of conditions that fueled the Driving Boom—from cheap gas prices to the rapid expansion of the workforce during the Baby Boom generation—no longer exists. Meanwhile, a new generation—the Mil­lennials—is demanding a new American Dream less dependent on driving.

> Keep Reading
Report | Iowa PIRG | Budget, Tax

Picking Up the Tab 2013

Some U.S.-based multinational firms and individuals avoid paying U.S. taxes by using accounting tricks to shift profits made in America to offshore tax havens—countries with minimal or no taxes. They 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 | Iowa PIRG Education Fund | Tax

Following the Money 2013

Every year, state governments spend tens of billions of dollars through contracts with private entities for goods and services, subsidies to encourage economic development, grants, and other forms of spending. Accountability and public scrutiny are necessary to ensure that state funds are well spent. 

> Keep Reading
Report | Iowa PIRG Education Fund | Tax

The Hidden Cost of Offshore Tax Havens

When U.S. corporations and wealthy individuals use offshore tax havens to avoid paying taxes to the federal government, it is an abuse of our tax system. Tax haven abusers benefit from our markets, infrastructure, educated workforce, and security, but they pay next to nothing for these benefits. Ultimately, taxpayers must pick up the tab, either in the form of higher taxes, cuts to public spending priorities, or increased national debt. 

> Keep Reading
Report | Iowa PIRG Education Fund | Democracy

Billion Dollar Democracy

The first presidential election since Citizens United lived up to its hype, with unprecedented outside spending from new sources making headlines.

> Keep Reading

Pages

Blog Post | Ed's Blog

FTC SEEKS INFORMATION FROM DATA BROKERS | Ed Mierzwinski

Today, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued nine administrative orders seeking information to analyze the "Data Broker Industry’s Collection and Use of Consumer Data." The questions being asked track closely the questions posed both in a forthcoming U.S. PIRG/Center for Digital Democracy law review article and in similar information requests from the Bi-Partisan Congressional Privacy Caucus.

> Keep Reading
Blog Post | Ed's Blog

CFPB'S #2 IS LEAVING, REPLACEMENT MUST MEET STANDARDS TO BECOME #1 | Ed Mierzwinski

The industry trade press is all a-flutter with demands that when CFPB Deputy Director Raj Date leaves, that be replaced with what they characterize as "another" bank-friendly regulator when he leaves. Raj Date wasn't selected as CFPB special advisor and then deputy director because he had a banking background; he was selected because his additional consumer background made him qualified to become director.

> Keep Reading
Blog Post | Ed's Blog

GROUPS CRITICIZE FTC USED CAR RULE AND OTHER FINANCIAL FOLLIES | Ed Mierzwinski

Americans for Financial Reform and other leading groups slammed a proposed new FTC Used Car Rule for failing to protect consumers and ignoring advice of advocates and state attorneys general. Meanwhile, in case you missed it, find out why an alleged financial fraudster was featured on the New York Times baseball page and read other financial follies of the week.

> Keep Reading
Blog Post | Health Care

Here's the Rx refill you didn't order | Sonia Ashe

Is your pharmacy refilling your prescription without your knowledge or approval, and billing your insurance company for the cost? If so, it’s the latest example of waste we shouldn't tolerate in our health care system.

> Keep Reading
Blog Post | Financial Reform, Ed's Blog

Consumers want "Do not track" privacy right but powerful firms fight back | Ed Mierzwinski

A new study shows that web surfers want an easy-to-use Do-Not-Track right to stop online tracking and collection of information about their web choices. But a powerful coalition of web advertisers and web publishers is fighting back, here and abroad, and it claims that such targeted advertising is what makes the Internet "free."

> Keep Reading

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Tools & Resources

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Your support will help us do the research, advocacy and grassroots organizing that it will take to connect Iowa to future with the Midwest passenger rail.

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Priority Action

We can bring Iowans closer together and connected to major metro centers from Omaha to Chicago and beyond,  we just need to make sure Governor Branstad to gets on board.

Email Barnstad

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