News Releases

News Release | NJPIRG | Budget, Food, Tax

Ag Subsidies Pay for 21 Twinkies per Taxpayer, But Only Half of an Apple Apiece

PARAMUS – Federal subsidies for commodity crops are subsidizing junk food additives like high fructose corn syrup, enough to pay for 21 Twinkies per taxpayer every year, according to NJPIRG’s new report, Apples to Twinkies 2012. Meanwhile, limited subsidies for fresh fruits and vegetables would buy one half of an apple per taxpayer.

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News Release | NJPIRG | Higher Ed

Congress Votes for Lower Student Loan Rates

Congress listened to students and their families and delivered a bill that stops student loan interest rates from doubling. Students already face unprecedented student loan debt and adding an additional $1,000 more would not only crunch individual borrowers, but would have further weighed down the recovering economy. We applaud Congress for coming together to pass this much-needed legislation.

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News Release | NJPIRG | Health Care

Consumers Win With Supreme Court Ruling

“Today’s decision is good news for consumers in New Jersey."

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News Release | NJPIRG | Budget, Food

Senate Vote on Farm Bill a Disappointment: Taxpayer dollars still going to Big Ag

“NJPIRG is disappointed in the Senate’s approval of the 2012 Farm Bill, which will send tens of billions of taxpayer dollars to Big Ag. The Senate missed a golden opportunity to tackle the problem of wasteful agricultural subsidies, which have cost taxpayers $260 billion since 1995. Instead, this bill recommits to taxpayer support for the largest agribusinesses.”

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News Release | NJPIRG Law & Policy Center | Financial Reform

Common-Sense Refinancing Options Could Help 402,431 New Jerseyans and Stabilize Housing Market

Data released today by NJPIRG and the Center for Responsible Lending finds that making it easier for homeowners to refinance their mortgages could give consumers more options, save money, and stabilize New Jersey's housing market. In NJ alone, 402,431 families would qualify, saving them $1.67 billion.