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Report | WISPIRG Foundation | Higher Ed

Fixing the Broken Textbooks Market

The cost of college textbooks has skyrocketed in recent years. To students and families already struggling to afford high tuition and fees, an additional $1,200 per year on books and supplies can be the breaking point. As publishers keep costs high by pumping out new editions and selling books bundled with software, students are forced to forgo book purchases or otherwise undermine their academic progress.

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News Release | WISPIRG Foundation | Higher Ed

Survey Shows Students Opting Out of Buying Textbooks

A survey released by WISPIRG Students at UW-Madison shows that 65% of student consumers have opted out of buying a college textbook due to its high price, and nearly half say that textbook costs can dictate whether they take a course.

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Report | WISPIRG Foundation | Financial Reform

Credit Cards, Consumer Complaints

Wisconsin consumers file more complaints about Capital One than any other credit card company, according to a report released by the WISPIRG Foundation.

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News Release | WISPIRG Foundation | Financial Reform

Report: Capital One Most-Complained-About Credit Card Company in Wisconsin

Wisconsin consumers file more complaints about Capital One than any other credit card company, according to a report released by the WISPIRG Foundation. The report, which looked at data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) public Consumer Complaints Database, also found that Wisconsin consumers are 26th most likely to file credit card complaints.  "Credit Cards, Consumer Complaints: The CFPB's Consumer Complaint Database Gets Real Results for Credit Card Holders,” is the fourth in a series of reports by the WISPIRG Foundation that analyze the complaints in the CFPB’s consumer complaints database. Previous reports in the series have analyzed complaints about bank accounts, private student loans, and credit reporting.

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News Release | WISPIRG Foundation | Financial Reform

New CFPB Rules Will Protect Homebuyers and Homeowners

On Friday, January 10, new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) rules go into effect that will help protect homeowners and homebuyers from the mortgage abuses that led to the housing crisis. In particular, consumers will get protections from lenders that make risky loans without checking a borrower’s income, assets, or ability to repay a loan. 

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Media Hit | Budget

Capital Times: Start where we can agree on the deficit

Americans heard quite a bit about profligate federal spending in this election. Many candidates made taming the spending culture in Washington their lead campaign theme. These lawmakers will soon have a chance to match their rhetoric with actions that begin the process of responsible fiscal management.

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News Release | WISPIRG Foundation | Consumer Protection

Parents Beware - Many Toys Still Toxic, Hazardous

Dangerous or toxic toys can still be found on America’s store shelves, the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group (WISPIRG) announced today in its 25th annual Trouble in Toyland report. 

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News Release | WISPIRG Foundation | Budget

Wisconsin State Expenditures Not Online, Not Transparent

Wisconsin is falling behind other states in providing state taxpayers online information about the state budget and state spending, according to a new report released today by WISPIRG.  While Wisconsin has taken some initial steps to provide transparency, the state is far behind others, including Illinois and Minnesota, in giving taxpayers detailed information online

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News Release | WISPIRG Foundation | Tax

Wisconsin Taxpayers Footing a $100 Billion Bill for Tax Dodgers

While a lot of attention is given on Tax Day to how tax dollars are spent, one watchdog group is instead focused on the revenue lost every year – $100 billion – thanks to loopholes, tax avoidance and tax cheats. Each year, major corporations and individuals avoid as much as $100 billion a year in federal taxes by “off-shoring” the money they make here in the U.S. or by setting up sham headquarters in tax haven countries. Taxpayers are left footing the bill.

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News Release | WISPIRG Foundation | Budget

Wisconsin Earns “F” in New Report on Transparency of Government Spending

Wisconsin got a “F” when it comes to openness about government spending, according to Following the Money: How the 50 States Rate in Providing Online Access to Government Spending Data, a new report by the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group (WISPIRG).

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Pages

  • Trouble In Toyland
    Our report highlights the toys that have been recently recalled, explains the hazards they pose, and shines a spotlight on those that may still be available for sale online.
    Get the tips
  • Reclaim our democracy
    Our democracy is based on the principle of one person, one vote, but our research shows the increasing dominance of big money in our elections.
    Get the facts
  • Why are health experts alarmed?
    More than 93% of doctors are concerned about the overuse of antibiotics on factory farms, yet factory farms still use up to 70% of all antibiotics sold in the U.S.
    Learn why
  • PROTECT YOURSELF
    We've created consumer tips to help protect you from unfair bank fees, identity theft, loan rip-offs and more.
    Get The Tips

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