News Releases - Student PIRGs

News Releases

Global Warming Solutions

Now’s the Time to Unleash the Power of Clean Energy 2009-06-26

Today, Congress took an historic step toward a new clean energy economy and a healthy future by passing the American Clean Energy and Security Act.

U.S. House Committee Poised to Begin Debate on Historic Energy Bill 2009-05-15

U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman and Subcommittee Chairman Ed Markey today introduced the American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454), comprehensive energy legislation that the committee will consider next week.

Historic National Global Warming Bill Cheers Local Students 2009-03-31

Local student leaders of a national campaign to tackle global warming greeted draft legislation released in Congress today as a strong step toward tackling the climate crisis.

21st Century Transportation

Past News Releases

Drivers, Governments Waste Billions Due to Misguided Highway Policies 2010-04-28

Special interest lobbying, policies that favor new construction over repairs, and the appeal of ribbon-cuttings push America to build new highways and bridges faster than it keeps up older ones.

Affordable Higher Education

Past News Releases

Clyburn, Student PIRGs Promote Law to Increase College Affordability 2010-08-16

College student and Student PIRGs activist Sarah Hara joined House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC) to highlight the benefits of the Patients' Bill of Rights under the Affordable Care Act, the Credit Card Bill of Rights, and student loan reforms enacted by Congress that will benefit young people.

Student Aid Surges As Congress Curtails Sweetheart Deals 2010-03-25

Statement of Rich Williams, Higher Education Associate, representing hundreds of thousands of students across the country, on the passage of H.R. 4872.

Students Beat Banks in House Vote for Student Aid 2010-03-21

Statement of Rich Williams, Higher Education Associate, representing hundreds of thousands of students across the country, on the passage of historic student aid legislation in the House.

Make Textbooks Affordable

Past News Releases

New Laws, Free Books and Textbook Rentals Could Help Curb Rising Costs 2010-08-26

Updated calculations by the Student PIRGs find that textbook prices have been rising four times the rate of inflation over the last two decades. At the same time, three new developments in the textbook arena suggest that textbook costs may begin to come down -- a new federal law, open textbooks and textbook rentals.

New Federal Law Will Curb Skyrocketing Textbook Costs 2010-07-21

A groundbreaking federal law designed to tackle the rapidly rising cost of textbooks has kicked in just in time to impact college students this fall. The law, which was part of the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) passed by Congress in 2008, is considered the first major federal action on this issue.

Advisory for 7/21: Senator, Students To Highlight Federal Textbook Affordability Law 2010-07-14

At 2:10 PM EDT on Wednesday July 21, 2010, Assistant Senate Majority Leader Richard Durbin (D-IL) will join student and faculty representatives on a conference call for reporters to discuss the textbook affordability section of the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) of 2008, which went into effect this month.

New Voters Project

Past News Releases

Youth Vote Increases Surpass Older Voters 2009-04-28

Young voter turnout across the country rose for the third time in as many presidential election cycles, according to a new analysis by the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE).

National Young Voter Turnout Increases by More than Two Million 2008-11-05

Young voter turnout surged by at least 2.2 million votes over 2004 levels this election, according to new data released by the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement. For the first time, young voter share of the electorate also surpassed that of voters over 65, with young people making up 18 percent of the electorate and those over 65 making up 16 percent.

Early Data Indicate Youth Turnout Up From 2004 2008-11-04

Preliminary data from local elections officials indicate that young voter turnout in many youth-dense precincts increased significantly over 2004 – as high as 287%. These early numbers offer an important glimpse at what to expect tomorrow when national youth turnout numbers are available.

Student Debt Alert

Past News Releases