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About CALPIRG

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

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

 

MAKING HEALTH CARE WORK

When Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of California proposed double-digit rate hikes, we called on them to justify the increases. Thanks to a new CALPIRG-backed law, Californians saved $127 million in 2011on proposed rate hikes                                    that were later reversed. >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 small farmers.>LEARN MORE



 

CONSUMER PROTECTION

Our toy safety reports and lab research have led to recalls of more than 150 toxic or dangerous toys, and advocates have pushed to keep toxic chemicals out of all consumer products. >LEARN MORE



 

CLOSE CORPORATE TAX LOOPHOLES

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


 

Our Mission
When consumers are cheated or the voices of ordinary citizens are drowned out by special interest lobbyists, CALPIRG 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. CALPIRG’s mission is to deliver persistent, result-oriented public interest activism that protects consumers, encourages a fair, sustainable economy, and fosters responsive, democratic government.

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

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


 

EMILY RUSCH

State Director

(415) 622-0039 x307

>CONTACT
>BIO
 

JON FOX

Consumer Advocate

(916) 448-4516 x108

>CONTACT
>BIO
 

 

MIKE RUSSO

Health Care Advocate & Staff Attorney

(213) 251-3680 x332

>CONTACT
>BIO
 


 

Funded By Our Citizen Members 

Thousands of CALPIRG members and supporters fund the staff who conduct research, public education and advocacy on important issues. You provide the clout we need to win real results.

What's New

News Release | CALPIRG | Budget, Tax

Governor Brown Must Resist Short-Term Budget Temptations

Selling off state property to ease California’s budget pain will be a tempting option for Governor Brown, but would likely worsen long-term budget problems. 

> Keep Reading
Result | Public Health

KIDS’ SCHOOL LUNCHES NOW SAFER

For years, America’s schoolchildren have been eating beef, chicken and other foods that would have been rejected as substandard even by fast food chains. Thanks in part to our advocacy, the U.S.D.A. has stopped buying such low-quality meat for school lunches.

> Keep Reading
Report

Trouble in Toyland

The 2010 Trouble in Toyland report is the 25th annual Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) survey of toy safety. In this report, CALPIRG 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.

> Keep Reading
Result | Democracy

Defeating Big Oil’s Ballot Proposition

CALPIRG helped run a campaign that identified 160,000 young voters who pledged to vote No on Prop. 23, the oil industry-funded attack on California’s landmark global warming law. To combat the millions of dollars Texas oil companies Valero and Tesoro poured into electioneering, our organizers mobilized young voters — the segment of the electorate most likely to vote against Prop. 23, but most are in need of a reminder to get to the polls.

> Keep Reading
Report | Consumer Protection

Big Banks, Bigger Fees

Since bank deregulation began in the early 1980s, the PIRGs and other consumer groups have conducted numerous studies documenting skyrocketing consumer banking fees. Our studies have helped to focus national attention on the problem of skyrocketing bank fees. Our results are substantiated by the results of the Federal Reserve Board's annual fee reports to Congress.

> Keep Reading

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Tools & Resources


Read about work in 2012. Download our Annual Report

Get the report.

 

 

You Can Help

We have a chance to cut billions in junk food subsidies this year. Your support will help us do the research, advocacy and grassroots organizing to convince our elected officials to act.

Donate Today

PRIORITY ACTION

Each year, our tax dollars pay for enough junk food additives to buy 8.5 two-liter bottles of soda for each person under 18. Help stop the subsidies for junk food.

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Consumer Alerts

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