CHICAGO – The movement to give minimum wage workers a raise continues gaining momentum across the country, with Cook County Commissioners in Illinois Wednesday voting decisively 13-3 in favor of a $13 minimum wage. Cook County is the second most populous county in the U.S. after Los Angeles County, California. The minimum wage in Cook […]
Low Wages and Student Debt Break the Promise of Prosperity, New ‘Job Gap’ Report Says
To make ends meet, a single adult with student loan debt needs to be paid more than $17 per hour in most states, according to research by People’s Action Institute. WASHINGTON – Some 43 million people in the United States have student loan debt. Yet, that significant expense is left out of traditional cost of […]
People’s Action Endorses 22 Candidates with the Values and Vision to Build the Progressive Political Revolution
WASHINGTON – People’s Action, a national organization of more than a million people, is endorsing 22 candidates around the country. The candidates exemplify the leadership qualities, values and vision necessary to build a strong future for everyone – not just the wealthy few. In endorsing these candidates, People’s Action is building on the progressive political […]
Maine Governor Calls for Jailing Minimum Wage Leaders
WASHINGTON – Just days after Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump suggested during a televised debate that Hillary Clinton should be jailed, Maine Gov. Paul LePage said Thursday that his political opponents should be imprisoned in a speech to the Lewiston-Auburn Chamber of Commerce. According to the Portland Press Herald, LePage said at a Thursday morning […]
People’s Action Institute Disappointed by Desperate Judicial Attack On CFPB’s Watchdog Authority
WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled today against the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in case brought by the mortgage company PHH Corp. Liz Ryan Murray, Policy Director for People’s Action Institute, issued the following statement in response: “Today, the D.C. Circuit Court joined the assault on the CFPB […]
People’s Action Institute Urges CFPB to Strengthen Payday Lending Rule on Closing Day of Public Comment Period
Washington, D.C. – Grassroots groups are making a final push for the CFPB to strengthen proposed rules for the payday lending industry on the last day public comment period that has seen a heated battle between fair lending advocates and the payday lending industry. Advocates say the proposed rule still has far too many loopholes […]
More than 400,000 Comments to CFPB Call for Crackdown on Abusive Lending
WASHINGTON, DC – More than 400,000 comments so far, asking for a stronger, smarter rule on payday lending have flooded the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) since a draft proposal on the rule was unveiled in June, consumer advocates announced Wednesday. The comments were gathered as part of a nationwide effort to ensure the voices of […]
Sen. Jeff Merkley Joins Consumer Advocates to Release Personal Stories from Families Devastated By Payday Lending Industry
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Stop the Debt Trap campaign will host a press teleconference on Wednesday, Oct. 5, at 11 a.m. EST/8 a.m. PST to discuss the overwhelming response from families urging the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to strengthen its proposed rule on payday lending. The campaign will release a book of personal stories describing the devastating experiences […]
Isaiah J. Poole Named Communications Director for People’s Action
Washington D.C. – Journalist and longtime editor of OurFuture.org, Isaiah J. Poole, has been named communications director for People’s Action, a national organization with nearly a million members. Poole will oversee all communications and public relations for the organization, building visibility and awareness of the work on economic, racial, gender and climate justice. “As a […]
Native Organizers and Supporters Praise Government Decision to Halt Construction of Dakota Access Pipeline
Washington, D.C. – After the decision by a federal judge on Friday to not issue an injunction protecting Native lands threatened by the Dakota Access Pipeline, the Obama Administration issued a statement halting pipeline construction that is welcomed by the thousands of Native and non-Native activists who have gathered in protest against the project. The […]