Our state Legislature is considering multiple bills to tackle single-use plastics, which could make Massachusetts a leader in slashing plastic waste — but your lawmakers need to hear from you.
Our state Legislature is considering multiple bills to tackle single-use plastics, which could make Massachusetts a leader in slashing plastic waste — but your lawmakers need to hear from you.
Solid Waste
MASSPIRG hosts webinar to call for better plastics policies coming out of pandemic
During the pandemic, single-use plastics falsely masqueraded as a more hygienic alternative to reusable options, and we now have far too much plastic waste. MASSPIRG and others hosted a webinar to boost bills that will restrict the use of plastics and update the Massachusetts bottle bill.
Green Scissors
Cutting wasteful handouts to special interests that prop up polluting industries related to these categories will reduce pollution and free up money that can be spent on modern infrastructure investments.
Democracy
MASSPIRG calls on Legislature to modernize elections
Massachusetts has a chance to improve how we vote, and hundreds of Bay Staters have made it clear that we want our leaders to take it. MASSPIRG is urging the Legislature to pass the VOTES Act, which would institute election-day registration, expand mail-in voting, and ensure all voters are aware of their eligibility in each election.
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.
We can't do it without you.
MASSPIRG is your advocate for the public interest, speaking out for healthier, safer, more secure lives for all of us.
News & Research
News Release | US PIRG
During this time of year, families are thinking about the children going back to school, and for parents who are sending their kids to college, it can be a bit overwhelming. A key to addressing those concerns is making sure their teens are prepared for “adulting” -- in other words, taking care of their own lives.
News Release | MASSPIRG
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker signed fiscal year 2021 supplemental budget bill last week that established a new MBTA Board of Directors.
News Release | MASSPIRG
Massachusetts lawmakers voted on Thursday to reject Gov. Charlie Baker’s budget cut for Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs).
Blog Post
President Biden's recent Executive Order on promoting competition in the economy includes several specific recommendations on improving competition in the financial sector. It proposes that the CFPB give consumers more choices by giving them control of their financial data. It proposes that regulators strengthen oversight of bank mergers, which for years have been routinely rubber-stamped. While it doesn't specifically address the payment system oligopoly that raises the prices everyone pays, lowering swipe fees is also a logical outcome of the EO.
Cover photo of the Marriner Eccles Federal Reserve Building, Washington, DC by Rafael Saldaña via Flickr, Some Rights Reserved.
News Release | MASSPIRG
Opponents’ criticisms fail to acknowledge the long-term environmental and public health benefits of TCI.
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.