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Preparing for 60 Million Californians By 2050
7/10/2007
The Department of Finance released new population estimates yesterday that predicted California's population, currently at just over 37 million people, would grow to 60 million people by 2050. Read the articles in the Los Angeles Times, the San Diego Union Tribune, and the Sacramento Bee. View the data from the Department of Finance. More.
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 Keep Transit on Track!
California depends on public transit to reduce traffic congestion, cut harmful pollution, and keep us moving. Unfortunately, Governor Schwarzenegger's proposed budget would raid more than $1.1 billion from public transit, taking away more than half of state funding. Cuts in funding will lead to poor service, more cars on the road and more traffic congestion. CALPIRG is working to protect public transit funding in this year's budget, and ensure adequate, reliable investment in public transit for our future.
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 Honest Enforcement: What Congress Can Learn From Independent State Ethics Commissions
Some argue that last year's scandals, which led to the conviction of two congressmen and several top aides, are evidence that ethics enforcement in Congress works. The actual facts leading up to the convictions, however, are more an indictment of the current process than a testament to its success. A whistleblower who took his case to the media and the U.S. Department of Justice–not the House and Senate ethics committees–uncovered the dealings of lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Neither the House nor the Senate ethics committee has indicated publicly that they looked into the matter or considered if other members of Congress broke any Senate or House rules, regardless of whether outside laws were broken. Among the many concerns, the secrecy of the process provides no assurance to the American people that members take these scandals seriously. Read the report.
 Cutting Interest Rates, Lowering Student Debt
In 21st century America, a college education is critical for individual success and the strength of our nation. Higher education is associated with better health, greater wealth and more vibrant civic participation, as well national economic competitiveness in today's global environment. As the need for a college degree has grown, however, so has the cost of obtaining that education. The result is rising student debt. Read the report.
 Slick Politics
In 1996 and again in 2000, CALPIRG Education Fund completed studies of the levels of money the oil industry spends on lobbying expenses and campaign contributions in California state politics. With consumer and environmental activists continuing to be frustrated in their attempts to enact meaningful petroleum diversity policies for California despite record high gas prices and stubborn pollution problems, we decided to examine once more the effects that money spent by the oil industry has on public policy. Read the report. | Read the release.
 Sunshine for California
Corporate tax avoidance leaves taxpaying households to pick up the tab for funding highways, schools, and other public structures. Much of the indirect costs of aggressive tax avoidance are also borne by investors who are unaware of these risky schemes. And everybody suffers when corporate profitability is determined by opportunities for tax evasion rather than efficiency or innovation. Read the report. | Read the release. |
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| CALIFORNIA
PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH GROUP |
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