Op-Ed by Bob Broxton
Something historic happened in the little town of Staunton on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2007. The Staunton City Council passed a resolution that asks the General Assembly to stop certain “exploitative” practices of payday lenders by capping interest rates at 36 percent APR.
The resolution was introduced by Councilman Bruce Elder. He stated shortly after it was passed that he will “send copies of the resolution to every city government, town government and board of supervisors in Virginia. We want this everywhere. What we have done tonight is we have thrown a pebble in a pond. The ripples by the time they reach Richmond should be a tidal wave.”
Let’s hope that every city, town and board of supervisors in Virginia follows the example of the city council in Staunton and that every candidate and incumbent for the General Assembly recognizes and listens to the overwhelming majority of citizens who are appalled at the predatory practices of payday lenders. A current web poll (by the Daily Press) shows 83.5 percent of respondents believe payday loans are “a scam.”
Congratulations and thanks to the Staunton City Council.
Bob Broxton resides in Richmond.
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