Funny business?
Something strange is going on with the payday loan bill.
As we announced last night, the Senate Appropriations Committee will hear on Tuesday a “Strike-Everything Amendment” that would reauthorize payday loans: HB2370
Interestingly, the bill was pulled from the agenda this morning, only to reappear an hour later on a second agenda revision.
We’re not sure what happened, but clearly, this bill is looking like a Hail Mary pass for the payday lenders.
They’re counting on it passing this committee. We must stop it. Again!
Call the Committee Members today and tell them:
“Vote NO on HB2370: No More Special Deals for Payday Lenders!”
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE:
- Sen. Rebecca Rios, District 23 – Pinal County
Assistant Democratic Leader
(602) 926-5685
- Sen. Amanda Aguirre, District 24 – Yuma
(602) 926-4139
- Sen. Sylvia Allen, District 5 – Snowflake
(602) 926-5219
- Sen. David Braswell, District 6 – Phoenix, Glendale, Cave Creek
Newly appointed senator; replaced Pamela Gorman
(602) 926-5284
- Sen. Ron Gould, District 3 – Lake Havasu City
(602) 926-4138
- Sen. Jack Harper, District 4 – Surprise
(602) 926-4178
- Sen. Al Melvin, District 26 – Tucson
(602) 926-4326
- Sen. Paula Aboud, District 28 - Tucson
(602) 926-5262
- Sen. Russell Pearce, District 18 – Mesa
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
(602) 926-5760
HB2370, when it passed out of the House of Representatives and was sent to the Senate, dealt with theft of merchandise pallets. But that was before the “strike-everything amendment.”
Now, bill sponsor Warde Nichols (East Valley) is allowing it to be used to push the payday lenders’ agenda, and Chairman Russell Pearce is complying.
At least they stayed with the theme of “theft.”
LANGUAGE OF THE BILL
They haven’t yet posted the language of the “theft”/payday bill, but we know it won’t be good. At the very least, it will attempt to extend or repeal the July 1, 2010 payday loan sunset, the same sunset we all voted to uphold.
The payday lenders are running ads again, sending junk mail to voters again, and flooding your representatives’ email boxes with appeals to let them stay.
They’re still promising “reforms” and trying to make the case that what they are proposing now is different than Prop 200. But if their last bill is any indication, what they’re proposing now is just more of the same.
Please call the Appropriations Committee Members right now.
Tell them:
- The voters have spoken.
- No extensions. No more special deals for payday lenders.
- No more laws that hurt consumers and undermine the free market.
- Enough is enough!
Payday lenders need to cap their loans at 36% APR, which is exactly what will happen when we uphold the 2010 Sunset.
After you’ve called the senators, shoot off a quick Letter to the Editor.
BE THERE TUESDAY:
Tuesday, March 16th
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE
1:30 PM*
Arizona Senate, Hearing Room 109
1700 West Washington
Phoenix, AZ 85007
The payday industry will surely try to pack the hearing room with employees and “happy customers.”
So, get there early and get a seat up front!
We recommend getting there by 12:30 and planning to stay as long as you can.
WE NEED YOUR PRESENCE THERE!
* Time may change. We’ll keep you updated.
Think you can make it?
Let Kelly know – kelly@economicintegrity.org
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To see the Prop 200 results in each of these senator’s districts, click here.
For tools you can download and share, visit the “Supporter Tools” box at www.NoMoreLoanSharks.com
Thank you for all you do,
David Higuera
Arizonans for Responsible Lending
(520) 907-2080
Paid for by Arizonans for Responsible Lending
Major Funding by AARP Arizona
Center for Responsible Lending, N.C., SEIU, Washington, and SIMG, Tucson.
Additional Support from Arizona State Credit Union, UFCW Local 99
The Arizona Credit Union League, and Mi Familia Vota.