What can Congress do?
We’re monitoring federal action and reporting back on whether our elected officials are acting for or against the public interest.
Together we can make sure tax and budget decisions reflect our shared priorities and balance competing values.
We’re monitoring federal action and reporting back on whether our elected officials are acting for or against the public interest.
Due to Congressional inaction, the interest rates on federally subsidized student loans doubled on July 1 from 3.4-percent to 6.8-percent. According to the Arizona Public Interest Research Group (Arizona PIRG), the change will translate into a $902 increase in debt per Arizona college student, per loan. However, because most new student loans are issued in August and September, Congress can still pass a retroactive fix.
Statement of Serena Unrein, Public Interest Advocate for Arizona PIRG, on the Farm Bill being voted on by the U.S. Senate.
Unless Congress acts by July 1, the interest rate for student loan borrowers in Arizona will double from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent. According to an issue brief released today by the Arizona Public Interest Research Group (Arizona PIRG), the rate increase would translate into a $902 increase in debt per Arizona student, per loan.
As Tax Day approaches, a new study from Arizona PIRG revealed that the average Arizona taxpayer in 2012 would have to shoulder an extra $803 in taxes to make up for the revenue lost due to the use of offshore tax havens by corporations and wealthy individuals.
This legislative session, Arizona PIRG has made it a priority to testify before the state legislature on the need for transparency and accountability in corporate tax credits. Already lawmakers have considered several bills that would enact new tax credits or expand existing ones.