Food
New restrictions on bee-killing pesticides will help keep our pollinators safe
Massachusetts has approved new restrictions on a class of bee-killing pesticides called neonicotinoids, or "neonics." These chemicals play a significant role in bee die-offs — and curbing their use on lawns, turf, trees, shrubs and gardens is a critical step toward protecting our most important pollinators.
Higher Ed
MASSPIRG helps secure landmark protections for student loan borrowers
Gov. Baker has signed the MASSPIRG-backed Student Loan Borrowers Bill of Rights into law, which will institute new protections against deceptive lending practices to nearly 1 million student borrowers across the state.
COVID-19
Nursing Home Safety During COVID
Ongoing research by U.S. PIRG Education Fund and Frontier Group, analyzing government data, shows that too many of the 1.3 million Americans residing in the nation’s 15,000 nursing homes are at risk due to dangerous shortages of personal protective equipment and/or staff.
Transportation
Massachusetts signs landmark commitment to slash transportation emissions
Massachusetts has signed onto the landmark Transportation and Climate Initiative Program, which will invest in clean transportation projects such as zero-emission electric vehicles, expanded public transit options, and walking and biking infrastructure. Several other Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states have joined or expressed support as well.
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News & Research
A month after announcing a weak plan to reduce heavy metals in baby food, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a new plan Thursday aimed at making baby food safer over the next several years.
A new survey from U.S. PIRG Education Fund finds all 43 appliance manufacturers we surveyed would consider voiding the warranty if a device had “unauthorized” repair, despite a 2018 warning from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
This blog is the second in a series examining policy solutions to the plastic pollution crisis that are proven and replicable. This section covers recycled content requirements.
An updated survey of warranties from 43 companies finding all tell customers they void warranties for independent repair. The continued problem of warranties wearing thin underscores the need for action on Right to Repair.
BOSTON -- State legislators and staff gathered virtually today for a briefing on “An Act Fostering Voter Opportunities Trust, Equity, and Security.” The briefing was hosted by Senator Cindy Creem and Representative John Lawn, who filed the legislation, and sponsored by advocacy organizations in the Election Modernization Coalition. Peg Perl, the Director of Elections for Arapahoe County in Colorado, discussed how reforms that are included in the VOTES Act work in practice in Colorado.
A full recording of the briefing is available here.
RESOURCE
Coronavirus update
In the midst of the coronavirus outbreak, we’ve taken steps for all of our staff to work remotely for safety reasons. But rest assured, we’ll keep advocating for you as we work for a healthier, safer world.
Learn more about how we can work together to address the COVID-19 pandemic.





