Payday Lenders Pad Pockets of Utah Lawmakers

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) On Wednesday, Utah lawmakers will once again take up the subject of payday lending during interim meetings. Critics of the industry say the high interest rates quick cash outlets charge are predatory. And quick-cash outlets are popping up so fast that local governments have begun limiting the number they allow in their boundaries. However, Utah legislators have been slow to impose significant limitations on payday lenders. KCPW's Julie Rose takes a look at the industry's deep pockets and how that may be impacting Utah lawmakers. And she uncovered some surprises:

 

Contributions from Consumer Lending Alliance to Utah Legislators during the 2006 Election Year:

$1,500 Rep. Greg Curtis (R-Sandy)
$1,500 Sen. Gene Davis (D-SLC)
$250 Rep. Janice Fisher (D-West Valley)
$1,000 Sen. Brent Goodfellow (D-West Valley)
$500 Sen. Jon Greiner (R-Ogden)
$250 Rep. Lynn Hemingway (D-SLC)
$500 Rep. Christine Johnson (D-SLC)
$250 Sen. Patricia Jones (D-SLC)
$500 Rep. Becky Lockhard (R-Provo)
$2,500 Sen. Ed Mayne (D-West Valley)
$500 Sen. Scott McCoy (D-SLC)
$250 Rep. Carol Spackman Moss (D-Holladay)
$250 Sen. Ross Romero (D-SLC)
$250 Rep. Jennifer Seelig (D-SLC)
$500 Rep. Stephen Urquhart (R-St. George)

Total Contributed to Democrats in 2006: $7,500
Total Contributed to Republicans in 2006: $3,000

(Information from www.elections.utah.gov.)

Visit www.followthemoney.org for information by the National Institute on Money in State Politics.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom, Legislative Coverage, and 2007 Legislative Coverage. Copyright 2009 KCPW