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STANDING UP FOR CONSUMERS — For more than 20 years, Consumer Program Director Ed Mierzwinski has helped us stand up against big banks and credit card companies.

Independent Research and Education

The Ohio PIRG Education Fund conducts research and public education on behalf of our consumers and the public interest. Our research, analysis, reports and outreach serve as counterweights to the influence of powerful special interests that threaten our health, safety or well-being.

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

Our Top Priorities

 

Using the time-tested tools of investigative research, media exposés, grassroots organizing, advocacy and litigation, Ohio PIRG Education Fund stands up to powerful interests and delivers concrete results. 


 

STANDING UP FOR THE PUBLIC ON HEALTH CARE

As our leaders put the health care reform law into practice, we’re working to promote a more competitive health insurance marketplace that lowers costs for consumers. >LEARN MORE
 

 

PUTTING PUBLIC HEALTH AHEAD OF BIG AG

One in three school-age kids is overweight, yet our government is wasting $16 billion each year on subsidies for sugar-laden, high-fat foods. Ohio PIRG Education Fund is calling for an end to subsidies for junk. >LEARN MORE
 

 

CLOSE CORPORATE TAX LOOPHOLES

Corporate tax dodgers cost taxpayers $100 billion last year. That’s why Ohio PIRG Education Fund is working to close the loopholes that allow ExxonMobil, Bank of America and others to avoid paying their taxes. >LEARN MORE
 
 

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

Ohio PIRG Education Fund and the Federation of State Public Interest Research Groups


Ohio PIRG Education Fund 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.

Ohio PIRG Education Fund Staff - A Partial List

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


 

ALLISON CAIRO

Deputy Director

312-291-0349 x303

>CONTACT
>BIO
 

 

PHINEAS BAXANDALL

Senior Analyst for Tax & Budget Policy

(617) 747-4351

>CONTACT
>BIO
 

 

ED MIERZWINSKI

Federal Consumer Program Director

(202) 546-9707 x314

>CONTACT
>BIO
 


 

 

What's New

News Release | Ohio PIRG Education Fund | Transportation

New Report: Reduction in Driving Likely to Continue

COLUMBUS ­­—As the average number of miles driven by Americans heads into its eighth year of decline, a new report from the Ohio PIRG Education Fund finds that the slowdown in driving is likely to continue. Baby Boomers are moving out of the phase in their life when they do the most commuting, while driving-averse Millennials move into that phase. These demographic changes will likely keep driving down for decades, according to the report, “A New Direction: Our Changing Relationship with Driving and the Implications for America’s Future.”

> Keep Reading
Report | Ohio PIRG Education Fund | Transportation

A New Direction

The Driving Boom – a six decade-long period of steady increases in per-capita driving in the United States – is over.

> Keep Reading
News Release | Ohio PIRG Education Fund | Budget

Michigan Beats Ohio in a Landslide in Government Spending Transparency

Ohio received a “D+” when it comes to government spending transparency, according to “Following the Money 2013: How the States Rank on Providing Online Access to Government Spending Data,” the fourth annual report of its kind by the Ohio PIRG Education Fund. 

> Keep Reading
Report | Ohio PIRG Education Fund | Budget

Following the Money 2013

Every year, state governments spend tens of billions of dollars through contracts with private entities for goods and services, subsidies to encourage economic development, grants, and other forms of spending. Accountability and public scrutiny are necessary to ensure that state funds are well spent.

> Keep Reading
Media Hit | Democracy

First ever Democracy Day draws wide array of opinions in Brecksville

BRECKSVILLE - The first Democracy Day town hall meeting allowed for the exchange of a wide variety of ideas about the issue of whether or not a 28th amendment to the Constitution is necessary.

> Keep Reading

Pages

News Release | Ohio PIRG Education Fund | Transportation

New Report: Reduction in Driving Likely to Continue

COLUMBUS ­­—As the average number of miles driven by Americans heads into its eighth year of decline, a new report from the Ohio PIRG Education Fund finds that the slowdown in driving is likely to continue. Baby Boomers are moving out of the phase in their life when they do the most commuting, while driving-averse Millennials move into that phase. These demographic changes will likely keep driving down for decades, according to the report, “A New Direction: Our Changing Relationship with Driving and the Implications for America’s Future.”

> Keep Reading
News Release | Ohio PIRG Education Fund | Budget

Michigan Beats Ohio in a Landslide in Government Spending Transparency

Ohio received a “D+” when it comes to government spending transparency, according to “Following the Money 2013: How the States Rank on Providing Online Access to Government Spending Data,” the fourth annual report of its kind by the Ohio PIRG Education Fund. 

> Keep Reading
Media Hit | Democracy

First ever Democracy Day draws wide array of opinions in Brecksville

BRECKSVILLE - The first Democracy Day town hall meeting allowed for the exchange of a wide variety of ideas about the issue of whether or not a 28th amendment to the Constitution is necessary.

> Keep Reading
News Release | Ohio PIRG Education Fund | Tax

Offshore Tax Dodging Blows a $707M Hole in Ohio Budget

COLUMBUS, February 11 – As advocates and policy makers across the state analyze the voluminous state budget proposed last week, the Ohio Public Interest Research Group (Ohio PIRG) released a new study revealing that Ohio lost $707 million due to offshore tax dodging in 2012. Many of America’s wealthiest individuals and largest corporations, including Kroger, P&G, and Cardinal Health in Ohio, use tax loopholes to shift profits made in America to offshore tax havens, where they pay little to no taxes.

> Keep Reading
Media Hit | Budget

Cincy More Transparent About Spending Than Cleveland

The city of Cincinnati earned a B+ from the Ohio Public Interest Research Group Education Fund for being transparent about its spending – a much better grade than Cleveland’s F.

> Keep Reading

Pages

Report | Ohio PIRG Education Fund | Transportation

A New Direction

The Driving Boom – a six decade-long period of steady increases in per-capita driving in the United States – is over.

> Keep Reading
Report | Ohio PIRG Education Fund | Budget

Following the Money 2013

Every year, state governments spend tens of billions of dollars through contracts with private entities for goods and services, subsidies to encourage economic development, grants, and other forms of spending. Accountability and public scrutiny are necessary to ensure that state funds are well spent.

> Keep Reading
Report | Ohio PIRG Education Fund | Tax

The Hidden Cost of Offshore Tax Havens

Federal taxpayers are not the only victims of offshore tax havens. Tax havens deprive state governments of billions of dollars in badly needed revenues as well. Based how much income is federally reported in each state, and on state tax rates, it is possible to calculate how much each of the state governments lose as a result of offshore tax dodging.

> Keep Reading
Report | Ohio PIRG Education Fund | Budget

Transparency in City Spending

The ability to see how government uses the public purse is fundamental to democracy. Transparency in government spending checks corruption, bolsters public confidence, improves responsiveness, and promotes greater effectiveness and fiscal responsibility.

> Keep Reading
Report | Ohio PIRG Education Fund | Democracy

Outside Spending, Outside Influence

The 2012 elections were by far the most expensive in history thanks primarily to the tidal wave of outside, special interest money triggered by the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision. The federal Senate and House races in Ohio, where outside groups spent nearly $41.3 million, were no exception.

> Keep Reading

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Blog Post | Health Care

Here’s That Rx Refill You Didn’t Order | Allison Cairo

Is your pharmacy refilling your prescription without your knowledge or approval, and billing your insurance company for the cost?

> Keep Reading

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Your tax-deductible donation supports Ohio PIRG Education Fund's work to educate consumers on the issues that matter, and to stand up to the powerful interests that are blocking progress.

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You can also support Ohio PIRG Education Fund’s work through bequests, contributions from life insurance or retirement plans, securities contributions and vehicle donations. 

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