Emily
Rusch

Vice President and Senior Director of State Offices, The Public Interest Network

Started on staff: 2001
B.A., Willamette University
Emily is the senior director for state organizations for The Public Interest Network. She works nationwide with the state group directors for PIRG and Environment America to help them build stronger organizations and achieve greater success. Emily was the executive director for CALPIRG from 2009-2021, overseeing a myriad of CALPIRG campaigns to protect public health, protect consumers in the marketplace, and promote a robust democracy. Emily works in our Oakland, California, office, and loves camping, hiking, gardening and cooking with her family.

It’s a real privilege to do this work.

Posts by Emily Rusch
Statement: California bans brain-harming pesticide chlorpyrifos

Statement: California bans brain-harming pesticide chlorpyrifos

In a major victory for California families,state officials announced this week they will prohibit the use of chlorpyrifos, a neurotoxic pesticide linked to permanent brain damage in young children.Gov. Newsom also announced funding to help farmers transition to safer alternatives. The process is expected to take from six months to two years.   With this decision, California becomes the third state to ban chlorpyrifos, following Hawaii and New York. This is also the first time the Golden State canceled the registration of a currently-used pesticide.  

Media Statements  

Prescription Drug Price Hikes Coming in January

Prescription Drug Price Hikes Coming in January

Today Reuters broke a story about at least 30 drugmakers that are planning to raise their U.S. prices on medicine in January 2019. The information was gathered thanks to California bill SB 17, authored by state Sen. Ed Hernandez, supported by our California state affiliate CALPIRG, and signed into law last year.

Media Releases  

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