Maryland PIRG's Johanna Neumann

Over the past several years, you’ve probably become accustomed to Maryland PIRG working on a wide array of public interest issues. We’ve won victories to protect consumers from identity theft and predatory lending; we’ve stood up to polluters of our air and water; and we’ve secured protections for Maryland’s beautiful open spaces.

Yet the challenges we face from special interests are mounting. That’s why we’ve decided that the best way to advance our work is to separate into two organizations that will together address the threats to our public interest.

Environment Maryland (www.EnvironmentMaryland.org) will be the new home of our environmental work. Maryland PIRG’s renewed focus will allow us to be more effective consumer advocates and government watchdogs. By zeroing in on problems like prescription drug safety, utility rates and democracy reform, we can provoke greater public debate on these issues, giving Maryland’s citizens and legislators more reasons to support our work.

So, what can you expect from Maryland PIRG?

You can expect expanded and invigorated consumer and government watchdog programs. You can expect rigorous research. You can expect practical solutions. As always, you can expect effective action on behalf of the public interest.

I am honored to be the new advocate that will chart the path for the next chapter of Maryland PIRG’s growth. After having worked on grassroots outreach efforts for the Toxics Action Center, GreenCorps, Public Citizen and the University of Maryland School of Nursing, this is exactly the sort of challenge I want to put myself to. The opportunities are many, and I believe Maryland PIRG is poised to navigate the opportunities successfully.

Thanks to the support of members like you, Maryland PIRG has grown into one of the most effective public interest groups in Maryland. As we move into an exciting new era of action in the public interest, I look forward to your continued support of our work.