Reports

Report | Jonathan Fox | Consumer

A Consumers Guide to a New Cell Phone Plan

San Francisco, CA – It is a challenge to save money when shopping for a cell phone, but it needn’t be. The California Public Interest Research Education Fund (CALPIRG) released today a new cell phone shoppers’ guide titled Making the Right Call: A Consumers' Guide to a New Cell Phone Plan, offering simple tips consumers can take to save money when buying a new cell phone.

“Consumers lose money on cell phone services they don’t use, overpriced plans, and fees that could be avoided,” said Jon Fox, CALPIRG’s Consumer Advocate, adding “Our report highlights simple steps to save hundreds of dollars each year by figuring out what you need, shopping around, and asking the right questions.”

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Report | CALPIRG | Democracy

Vanishing Voters: Why Registered Voters Drop Off the Rolls

In 1993, Congress passed the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Its primary purpose was to open up the voter registration process and enhance democratic participation. Fifteen years after enactment of the NVRA, however, many states continue to appear unaware of the federal rules regarding voter roll purges. A survey of state laws and election officials shows that, on the eve of the 2008 general election, voters across the country do not appear to enjoy the important voter protection provisions afforded by the NVRA.

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Report | CALPIRG | Consumer

Saving Dollars, Saving Democracy - Cost Savings for Local Elections Officials Through Voter Registration Modernization

Millions are being wasted due to antiquated voter registration systems and procedures. U.S. PIRG Education Fund’s survey of 100 counties showed that over $33,467,910.00 of public money was spent on simple registration implementation and error-correction issues in 2008. The Fund finds that a more streamlined and automatic system linking existing databases with the state voter rolls could free up significant resources at the local level.

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Report | CALPIRG | Consumer

Cutting Interest Rates, Lowering Student Debt - - Updated

About 5.5 million undergraduate borrowers took out subsidized Stafford loans in 2005-2006. Most of these borrowers came from predominately low- and middle-income families. As an effort to making college more affordable, cutting interest rates on subsidized Stafford student loans will result in significant savings.

Read more about Cutting Interest Rates, Lowering Student Debt - - Updated

Report | CALPIRG | Consumer

Cutting Interest Rates, Lowering Student Debt - - Updated

Read more about Cutting Interest Rates, Lowering Student Debt - - Updated

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Reports by Campaign

CALPIRG Students in Action

Students from across the state organize a press conference to STOP CUTS to CalGrants in Sacramento with their elected officials.
UC Berkeley Intern Kat Lockwood speaking to students at Cal about the NO on 23 campaign to protect California’s clean air and global warming law with Van Jones.
UCSB interns host the Textbook Rebellion as part of a national tour to fight high prices and successfully get both TV and print media to report on their event.
Actress Amy Smart speaks at the CALPIRG Statewide Organizing Conference about activism and banning plastic grocery bags.
Four TV, two radio, and two print media cover our High Speed Rail Spring Break Tour stop in the central valley.
UC Davis students kick off a TEXT-2-GIVE table for Somalia Famine Relief on the quad – our efforts statewide raised thousands of dollars for famine relief.
UC Davis CALPIRG Interns Justin Hassis and Manny Rin take a photo petition during the CALPIRG Alternative Spring Break Tour- gathering hundreds of petitions calling for a statewide ban on single use polystyrene containers and plastic bags
UCR, USC, and UCLA interns come together for a joint beach clean-up!
Jared Calinisan, UC Mercd AmeriCorps Member and CALPIRG intern, teaching kids at a local elementary school about energy efficiency (UC Merced educated 1,157 kids in one quarter – way to go!)
UC Merced intern caulking a window as part of our Energy Service Corps program’s work to save Californian’s energy and money while also saving the environment!