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

An Independent Voice For Consumers

Maryland 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 TOP PRIORITIES

 

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


 

AN INDEPENDENT VOICE FOR CONSUMERS

Maryland PIRG Program Advocate Jenny Levin has stood up to the chemical industry to win safeguards against toxic consumer products. We've won bans on BPA in baby bottles and formula cans, lead and cadmium in children's toys, and toxic flame retardants used in household products. >LEARN MORE

 


STOP SUBSIDIZING OBESITY

When big agribusinesses like Monsanto lobbied to keep their billion dollar junk food subsidies, we organized public opposition by talking to over 1 million people and building a coalition of more than 550 farmers. >LEARN MORE

PROTECTING CONSUMERS

After the financial crisis, we spearheaded the fight to create the Consumer Protection Financial Bureau, which recently forced Capital One to pay back consumers $140 million in unfair credit card fees. >LEARN MORE

 

CLOSE CORPORATE TAX LOOPHOLES

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


 

When consumers are cheated or the voices of ordinary citizens are drowned out by special interest lobbyists, Maryland PIRG speaks up and takes action. We uncover threats to public health and well-being and fight to end them, using the time-tested tools of investigative research, media exposés, grassroots organizing, advocacy and litigation. Maryland 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.

Maryland PIRG STAFF - A Partial List

Maryland 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, Maryland PIRG speaks up and takes action. We uncover threats to public health and well-being and fight for the public interest.


 

JENNY LEVIN

State Advocate

(410) 467-9389

>CONTACT
>BIO
 

 

STEVE BLACKLEDGE

Deputy Director

(916) 448-4516 x108

>CONTACT
>BIO
 

 

ED MIERZWINSKI

Federal Consumer Program Director

(202) 546-9707 x314

>CONTACT
>BIO
 


 

Maryland PIRG And The Federation Of State Public Interest Research Groups

Maryland 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 Marylanders, we also coordinate our efforts, pool resources, and share expertise so that we can have the biggest impact — here in Maryland and for the country at large.

FUNDED BY OUR CITIZEN MEMBERS

Thousands of Maryland PIRG members and supporters fund our staff so we can counter the influence of lobbyists for the banks, insurance companies and other powerful special interests. To win, we conduct research, educate the public, and advocate in the public interest before key decision-makers.

 

What's New

Blog Post | Budget, Tax

Senate Budget Debate Shows Bipartisan Support for Closing Offshore Tax Loopholes | Jenny Levin

A bipartisan group of senators agree that closing offshore tax loopholes, which allow large profitable companies to dodge billions in taxes, needs to be part of the budget.

> Keep Reading
Blog Post | Democracy

Voting Rights Take Center Stage at the General Assembly | Laura Muth

Last week was a big week in Maryland politics. One of Maryland PIRG’s top priorities, same-day voter registration (SDR), got plenty of airtime. We worked with a broad coalition of partners to provide testimony on a bill introduced by the governor that aims to expand voting rights by letting eligible Marylanders to register to vote at polling places during the early voting period, as well as increasing the number of early voting days to eight and increasing the number of polling places during early voting.

> Keep Reading
Blog Post | Consumer Protection

Maryland PIRG 2013 General Assembly Session Priorities | Jenny Levin

Maryland PIRG is an advocate for the public interest. Our mission is to deliver persistent, results-oriented public interest activism that protects public health, respects consumers’ rights, encourages a fair, sustainable economy, and fosters a responsive, democratic government. There are hundreds of registered lobbyists in Annapolis all are looking out for one particular segment of the population or special interest; we are one of the few groups working in the Capitol whose job is to think about what’s good for EVERYONE.

> Keep Reading
News Release | Maryland PIRG Foundation | Tax

Offshore Tax Dodging Blows $966 Million Hole in Maryland Budget: New Maryland PIRG Study Exposes the Real Cost of Tax Loopholes for Maryland Residents

With Maryland facing tough budget choices, especially with regards to transportation, Maryland PIRG released a new study revealing that Maryland lost $966 million due to offshore tax dodging in 2012. Many of America’s wealthiest individuals and largest corporations, use tax loopholes to shift profits made in America to offshore tax havens, where they pay little to no taxes.

 

> Keep Reading
Report | Maryland PIRG Foundation | 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

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News Release | Maryland PIRG | Democracy

Distorted Democracy: Post-Election Edition

Our new analysis of data through Election Day from the Federal Election
Commission (FEC) and other sources shows how big outside spenders
drowned out small contributions in the 2012 election cycle: just 61
large donors to Super PACs giving on average $4.7 million each matched
the $285.1 million in grassroots contributions from more than 1,425,500
small donors to the major party presidential candidates.

> Keep Reading
News Release | U.S. PIRG Education Fund and Demos | Democracy

Distorted Democracy: Big Money and Dark Money in the 2012 Elections

A new analysis of pre-election data from the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and other sources by U.S. PIRG and Demos shows that outside spending in the first presidential election since Citizens United is living up to its hype: new waves of “outside spending” have been fueled by dark money and unlimited fundraising from a small number of wealthy donors.

> Keep Reading
News Release | U.S. PIRG Education Fund | Consumer Protection

NEW REPORT: AMERICAN LIVES AT RISK FROM UNSAFE FOODS

Despite government commitments to address the problem, food recalls are on the rise and our food safety systems are broken, according to a new report by U.S. PIRG.  Contaminated food makes 48 million Americans sick every year and costs over $77 billion in aggregated economic costs.  In the USA over the last 21 months, 1753 people were made sick from foodborne illnesses linked directly to food recalls and the cost was over $227 million.

> Keep Reading
News Release | U.S. PIRG | Democracy

ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF SECRETS AND LIES

U.S. PIRG, Maryland PIRG and small business representatives and others call on U.S. Chamber of Commerce to disclose the sources of funds behind its dark money electoral advertising

> Keep Reading
News Release | Maryland PIRG | Budget

Small Farmers and Citizens Speak Out Against Agricultural Subsidies in Farm Bill

Small farmers and ordinary citizens across the country are taking a stand against wasteful agricultural subsidies in the federal Farm Bill. With only a few weeks left before they adjourn for the election, reauthorizing or extending the Farm Bill is one of Congress’s top priorities.

> Keep Reading

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Report | Maryland PIRG Foundation | Transportation

Transportation and the New Generation

During the second half of the 20th century, the total number of miles driven in America steadily increased. Then, at the turn of the century, the trend changed. Americans now drive less than we did in the mid-2000s—both in absolute and per-capita terms.

> Keep Reading
Report | Maryland PIRG Foundation | Budget

Following the Money

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
Report | Maryland PIRG Foundation | Safe Energy

Too Close to Home

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, which took place in March 2011, delivered a reminder to the world that nuclear power comes with inherent risks. Among the risks demonstrated by the Fukushima crisis is the threat of water contamination—including contamination of drinking water supplies by radioactive material.

> Keep Reading
Report | Maryland PIRG, WTC, Safer States | Consumer Protection

Hidden Hazards in the Nursery

Parents expect the products they buy for their babies to be safe. But new testing of 20 baby and children’s products, including bassinet pads, nursing pillows, changing pads, and car seats, has found toxic flame retardants in 85% of the items.

> Keep Reading
Report | Budget, Democracy

Representation Without Taxation

Marking the second anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision in the Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission case, this report takes a hard look at the lobbying activities of profitable Fortune 500 companies that exploit loopholes and distort the tax code to avoid billions of dollars in taxes.

> Keep Reading

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Blog Post | Democracy

U.S. PIRG Democracy Advocate on summary reversal in American Tradition Partnership vs. Bullock

Today the Supreme Court passed on the opportunity to revisit its disastrous 2010 Citizens United decision—which is wreaking havoc on democracy—and it has done so in a way that avoids giving the American public a much deserved explanation.

> Keep Reading
Blog Post | Food, Tax

Senate Farm Bill Moves to Floor | Jenny Levin

The Senate is moving to vote on the farm bill, S.3240, that would continue the current system of agricultural subsidies to large, profitable, agribusiness. Taxpayers’ hard earned dollars will be handed out needlessly in the billions. And subsidies will continue for corn and soy, which is then processed into junk food ingredients, like high fructose corn syrup, accelerating the obesity epidemic in America. 

> Keep Reading
Blog Post | Higher Ed

Statement of Rich Williams, U.S. PIRG Higher Education Advocate, on the Congressional passage of legislation to prevent student loan interest rates from doubling:

"Congress listened to students and their families and delivered a bill that stops student loan interest rates from doubling," stated U.S. PIRG Higher Education Advocate Rich Williams. "Students already face unprecedented student loan debt and adding an additional $1,000 more would not only crunch individual borrowers, but would have further weighed down the recovering economy. We applaud Congress for coming together to pass this much-needed legislation."

> Keep Reading
Blog Post | Democracy

Why Target is Still a Target

Two years ago, the public spoke out against the Supreme Court’s decision to allow unlimited corporate spending in politics when consumers boycotted Target Corporation for controversial political spending in Minnesota’s state elections. 

When Target’s CEO Gregg Steinhafel used general treasury funds, money that rightfully belongs to the corporation’s shareholders, to support a group backing a candidate known for his outspoken anti-LGBT positions, it was more than a blemish on the reputation of a corporation that brands itself as progressive. That irresponsible contribution was a violation of both shareholder and public trust and, not surprisingly, it resulted in scandal and boycotts that threatened the assets of shareholders who never authorized the use of their money for political spending.

> Keep Reading
Blog Post | Consumer Protection

Don’t Freeze our Public Health and Consumer Safety Protections | Jenny Levin

Last year, in the 175 days that the U.S. House of Representatives was in session it passed more than 190 anti-regulatory bills, putting profits over public safety. And they are still at it.

> Keep Reading

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Tools & Resources

Priority Action

Tell Governor O'Malley: Help reduce litter by supporting a Bottle Bill for Maryland.

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