Winning Concrete Results

Protecting Consumers From Identity Theft

NCPIRG passed legislation in 2003 to limit the use of full credit card numbers on store receipts. In 2005, based on model legislation drafted by NCPIRG, lawmakers passed one of the nation’s toughest laws against identity theft.

Championing Prescription Drug Reform

The 2004 NCPIRG report, “Paying The Price,” revealed that uninsured consumers in the Triangle area pay 110 percent more for prescription drugs than the federal government.

Registering New Voters

NCPIRG registered more than 32,000 new voters across the state for the 2004 elections. NCPIRG’s nonpartisan New Voters Project, which sought to mobilize 18- to 24-year-olds, also gained support from the UNC Board of Governors and the North Carolina House Speaker.

Promoting Patients’ Rights

The North Carolina State Senate rejected an anti-patient proposal in 2003 that would have capped medical malpractice awards for harmed patients. This victory came on the heels of NCPIRG research, which showed that capping malpractice awards in other states has not slowed rising insurance rates­­­­­­, contrary to arguments used by critics in the medical industry.

Ensuring Fair Elections

In 2005, NCPIRG helped pass the voter-verified paper trail bill. The law requires a paper copy of every ballot cast, which will ensure fair and accountable elections, and could facilitate a recount if one were needed.

Stopping Predatory Lending

Year after year, NCPIRG has helped stop anti-consumer payday lending legislation from becoming law. As a result, lenders are held to state usury laws, but had previously charged as much as 500 percent interest on short-term loans, taking advantage of vulnerable consumers.

Public Financing For Judicial Races

In 2002, NCPIRG helped pass the first full public financing program for general election candidates for the state Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals. Public financing is an effective tool for keeping powerful special interests from influencing election outcomes.