MASSPIRG at Smith College

RECENT NEWS and VICTORIES!

Credit Card Reform Passes! On February 22^nd, the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act (the Credit CARD Act) will take full effect.  This includes keeping 18-21 yr. olds protected from easy credit and reigns in aggressive campus marketing practices.

Date Auction for Haiti Relief raises almost $1200.00 

High Speed Rail! MassPIRG urges investing in future lines 

MASSPIRG works on health care!

MASSPIRG pushes for global warming legislation!

MASSPIRG events kick off the year!

Global Warming Solutions-

Tuesdays, 5:00, CC203

In 2008, Massachusetts adopted the Global Warming Solutions Act, a law that commits the state to cutting our greenhouse gas emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.  The bill established that the Governor needs to set a 2020 benchmark goal between 10-25%. This semester, we will make sure that Governor Patrick adopts a strong short-term pollution target of 25% reductions by 2020 to move us towards solving global warming.  We will be gathering photo and video petitions to show Gov. Patrick that we support this target.  

Update the Bottle Bill, Increase Recycling

Fridays, 5:00, CC203

In 1982 MASSPIRG campaigned to get Massachusetts to pass the bottle bill, which put a 5 cent deposit on all carbonated beverages. This is the most successful recycling program in the state because it gives people an incentive to recycle. Unfortunately, the bottle bill doesn’t cover many containers like water and juice bottles. This semester we will be getting Northampton to join over 100 cities and towns who endorse Updating the Bottle Bill. Smith and colleges across the state will be gathering petitions and photos with bottle "Bill” to show our Reps. overwhelming support for the bill.

Hunger and Homelessness-

Wednesdays, 7:00, CC203

In some towns in our region, hunger rates are over 6 times higher than the statewide average.  With the current state of our economy, hunger and homelessness is becoming an even larger problem.  This semester we will participate in the National Hunger Clean Up, which is a one day service-a-thon. Throughout the semester we will have big fundraising events and educational events on campus and volunteer in local hunger relief agencies.  

+We will also be working to increase public transportation, better student health care, and decrease student debt.

Are you a graduating senior?  Apply for a job with U.S. PIRG