As discussed on Friday, the payday lending industry is spreading money around Harrisburg, in an attempt to return to Pennsylvania, all under the guise of a consumer protection bill… that has no support of any consumer protection groups. As I noted then, the payday lending bill barely passed the House of Representatives, depending on the support of some of Philly’s own State Reps—Keller, Taylor and Sabatina- to do so.

The bill is now in the Senate, and after talking with people in the know, here are the Philly State Senators that have, at minimum, wavered in stating their unequivocal opposition to bringing payday lenders and 300% plus interest rates back to Pennsylvania:

• Michael Stack, (717) 787-9608
• Anthony Williams, (717) 787-5970
• Shirley Kitchen, (717) 787-6735
• Leanna Washington, (717) 787-1427

None of these Senators have necessarily said that they support this bill, and Stack has basically said he is against it. But, the sense is that the four of them are wavering and that they may be looking for something— some additional pointless amendments for example— that would give them cover to vote for it. This is just wrong. There is no secret middle ground here— either you are against bringing an abusive industry back to Pennsylvania or you are not. Payday lending is built on a parasitic business model, feeding off of the struggles of someone waiting for another check, and the only way these companies would be OK with sets of amendments is if that fundamental reality was not changed.

Philly’s State Senators have to keep this simple and stand against legalizing loans at annual interest rates of 300 percent. If these Senators represent you, please contact them, and let them know that Philly does not need the loan sharks. There is still time for these Senators to be heroes in stopping this, rather than villains in letting them in the door. Contact them and let them know where you stand.