You are here

Home >

About WISPIRG

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

WISPIRG 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, WISPIRG stands up to powerful interests and delivers concrete results. 


 

STOP THE OVERUSE OF ANTIBIOTICS

The overuse of antibiotics on factory farms is contributing to the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, threatening millions of Americans every year. We're calling on major restaurants to take strong action to address this growing public health threat. >LEARN MORE
 
 


 

DEMOCRACY FOR THE PEOPLE 

We're working to stanch the flow of big money in our democracy by increasing the influence of small donors in elections. We're also part of a national coalition that's helped 16 states and more than 650 cities call for an amendment to overturn Citizens United. >LEARN MORE
 


 

CONSUMER PROTECTION

Consumer Program Director Ed Mierzwinski has fought for consumers for more than 20 years. He spearheaded our fight to create the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which has provided more than $11 billion in relief for consumers harmed by illegal practices. >LEARN MORE
 


 

21st CENTURY TRANSPORTATION 

We're spending billions on highway expansion projects instead of investing in public transit, biking and pedestrian options that people want and need. We're putting a spotlight on these projects, and calling on policymakers to invest in 21st Century Transportation. >LEARN MORE
 


 


 

With public debate around important issues often dominated by special interests pursuing their own narrow agendas, the WISPIRG offers an independent voice that works on behalf of the public interest. The WISPIRG works to protect consumers and promote good government. We investigate problems, craft solutions, educate the public, and offer citizens meaningful opportunities for civic participation.

For information about a specific report, please contact the author. If you are a foundation interested in supporting the WISPIRG's work, or if you have general inquiries, please contact us here.

WISPIRG and the Federation of State Public Interest Research Groups


WISPIRG is an independent, state-based, citizen-funded organization that educates for the public interest and is a member of U.S. PIRG Education Fund.

 

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, 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 office in Washington, D.C. On national issues, we also coordinate our efforts, pool resources, and share expertise so that we can have the biggest impact.

WISPIRG Staff
WISPIRG is an advocate for the public interest. When consumers are cheated, or the voices of ordinary citizens are drowned out by special interest lobbyists, WISPIRG speaks up and takes action. We uncover threats to public health and well-being and fight for the public interest. Find out more about our staff

Funded By Our Citizen Members

Thousands of WISPIRG members and supporters fund our staff so we can counter the influence of powerful special interests. We conduct the research, educate the public, and advocate in the public's interest by making our case face-to-face with elected officials.

 

What's New

News Release | WISPIRG Foundation | Budget, Transportation

New Report Finds Drivers Pay Less Than Half the Cost of Roads

As state lawmakers prepare to debate Wisconsin’s transportation budget and Congress struggles to renew the federal transportation law, a new report from WISPIRG Foundation and Frontier Group finds that drivers currently pay less than half the total cost of roads nationwide, and argues that while increasing gas taxes could temporarily fill the transportation funding shortfall, it would leave other, deeper problems unaddressed.

> Keep Reading
Report | WISPIRG Foundation | Financial Reform, Tax

Picking Up The Tab 2015

Every year, corporations and wealthy individuals use complicated gimmicks to shift U.S. earnings to subsidiaries in offshore tax havens – countries with minimal or no taxes – in order to reduce their federal and state income tax liabilities by billions of dollars. While tax haven abusers benefit from America’s markets, public infrastructure, educated workforce, security and rule of law – all supported in one way or another by tax dollars – they continue to avoid paying for these benefits.

> Keep Reading
News Release | WISPIRG Foundation | Financial Reform, Tax

Wisconsin Small Businesses Foot $3,595 Bill from Offshore Tax Dodging

As Tax Day approaches, it’s important to remember that small businesses end up picking up the tab for offshore tax loopholes used by many large multinational corporations. WISPIRG, the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group, today released a new study revealing that the average Wisconsin small business owner would have to pay an extra $3,595 in taxes to make up for the money lost in 2014 due to offshore tax haven abuse by large multinational corporations.

> Keep Reading
Blog Post | Public Health

Some Good, Some Bad in Obama Administration Plan to Protect Antibiotics | Sujatha Jahagirdar

Today, the National Task Force for Combatting Resistant Bacteria released a five-year action plan to tackle the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.  While the plan will take several important steps necessary to control the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, it will miss the opportunity to call for critical reforms in the agricultural sector that are essential to protect public health.

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

FCC NET NEUTRALITY ORDER PROTECTS THE OPEN INTERNET

Today the FCC took not one but two critical actions to make sure that the Internet works for everybody. First, it issued a "Net Neutrality" order guaranteeing a free and open Internet. This Internet freedom order will prevent the phone and cable companies from granting fast lanes or other preferences to already powerful firms. The FCC also acted to override state laws that prevented local governments from building out broadband networks to compete with the phone and cable companies.

> Keep Reading

Pages

News Release | WISPIRG | Health Care

New Report: Without Reform, Health Costs Will Double

Without action from Congress, premiums and deductibles for residents of Wisconsin with employer provided insurance will nearly double by 2016, according to a new report released today by the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group (WISPIRG).

> Keep Reading
News Release | WISPIRG | Transportation

House Acts To Create Jobs, Put Nation On Path To Economic Stability

WISPIRG lauds today’s passage of H.R. 1, the American Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act by the United States House of Representatives.  According to Gary Kalman, the director of WISPIRG’s Federal Legislative Office, “This legislation will spark immediate economic growth and lay the foundation for continued prosperity in a quickly changing global economy.”

> Keep Reading
News Release | WISPIRG | Transportation

New Study: Both Good Signs and Red Flags in State’s Transportation Stimulus Wish List

A new study of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) wish list, recently submitted to Congress for funding under a new economic recovery package, suggests that Wisconsin’s current project list both prioritizes projects that can help Wisconsin to address our biggest transportation problems, but also undermines efforts to repair and modernize our deteriorating infrastructure and reduce U.S. dependence on oil.

> Keep Reading
News Release | WISPIRG | Transportation

Doyle Stimulus Proposal Would Move Some Key Projects for 21st Century Transportation, “Getting Wisconsin Back on Track”

Governor Doyle’s economic stimulus proposal to President-Elect Obama, which was released today, includes important 21st  century transportation projects for Wisconsin, including high speed intercity rail connecting Wisconsin’s major metropolitan areas, commuter rail in southeastern Wisconsin and Dane County, funding for transit agencies statewide, and funding for road and bridge repair and maintenance.

> Keep Reading
News Release | WISPIRG | Transportation

High Speed Rail on the Horizon

A nationwide network of high speed bullet trains could soon be a reality thanks to bipartisan legislation introduced today by Senators Kerry (D-MA), Specter (R-PA) and at least a dozen other senators from both parties. The legislation provides two necessary components for such a system: dedicated funding and federal coordination.  The legislation includes financing for federally-designated rail corridors, one of which is the Chicago hub corridor -- a main segment of the Chicago corridor would run from Chicago to Minneapolis by way of Milwaukee and Madison. Senator Kohl (WI) is supportive of high-speed rail but was not a co-sponsor of this bill.

> Keep Reading

Pages

News Release | U.S. PIRG

U.S. PIRG commends FDA on its proposed graphic warnings for cigarettes, urges increased action on e-cigarettes as a major health threat

The Food and Drug Administration proposed a rule today that would require new warnings for cigarette packages that depict the health risks of smoking. 

Blog Post

Wisconsin makes it easier to charge electric vehicles, switch to electric buses

It's going to get easier for Wisconsin drivers to go electric and more likely that our kids will ride electric buses to school.

Blog Post

Not one, not two, but four more states ban single-use plastic bags

The number of statewide plastic bag bans in the U.S. tripled in June, with Maine, Vermont, Connecticut and Oregon adding themselves to the list.

Blog Post

PIRG Consumer Watchdog: Recalled baby rockers could still be at your child's day care

Adam Garber, the PIRG consumer watchdog, was shocked when he discovered recalled baby rockers at his infant son's day care this June.

Blog Post

Here's why we're not satisfied that Equifax agreed to pay $650 million for its big data breach

Equifax has agreed to pay $650 million two years after its data breach put 147 million people at risk. It's not enough.

Consumer Tips | U.S. PIRG

Deadly sleepers still in use at daycares

Our Consumer Watchdog team found 1-in-10 daycare centers using recalled sleepers that have killed more than 30 children.

 

Public Health | U.S. PIRG

Ban Roundup

As cancer victims hold Monsanto accountable in court, our governor should act to ban Roundup unless and until it's proven safe.

 

Antibiotics | U.S. PIRG

Another chain commits to reduce antibiotics

By committing to a concrete timeline for reducing antibiotic use in its beef supply chain, Taco Bell is taking an important step to help preserve these life-saving medicines. We're calling on Wendy's to follow their lead. Learn more.

 

Consumer Tips | U.S. PIRG

Capital One exposes 100 million to identity theft in largest-ever bank hack

Coming on top of the settlement of the massive Equifax data breach, the Capital One breach should serve as a wakeup call to all consumers to hit freeze on their financial identity today to ensure they are protected. Here's how.

 

Support us

Your donation supports WISPIRG's work to stand up for consumers on the issues that matter, especially when powerful interests are blocking progress.

Donate Today

Consumer Alerts

Join our network and stay up to date on our campaigns, get important consumer updates and take action on critical issues.
Optional Member Code