Payday Lending bill HB 2191 would allow predatory loans carrying interest rates of 300% and higher. It will be considered on the House floor as early as May 21 (next Monday). Eleven of the original co-sponsors have withdrawn their support after being educated about the bill's contents and impact.  Your action is needed now to continue this momentum so it does not pass the House. 

 

Lutheran Day participants asked for resources to fight this bill.  Here they are: 

• A bulletin insert and flyer that can be used this Sunday.   
• For more information and reflection on the practice of usury, read LAMPa's most recent news article. and visit the StopPaydayLoansPA website.    
• Call or email your State Representative this week and let them know your concerns about this bill, and ask them to vote no. See these quick facts on HB 2191  to support your advocacy and why the amendment does not offer adequate protection. 

Last week the Pennsylvania Senate approved a $27.6 billion budget plan by a vote of 39-8. This is $500 million above the Governor's proposed budget. Funding for education, public welfare and health account for the bulk of the changes. The plan improves upon the budget proposed by Governor Corbett, but deep cuts to education and health services remain. 

 

This is an excellent time to weigh in and let legislators know about support for restoring funding to the human service line items. LAMPa is advocating for increased funding of the Human Services Development Fund block grant and restoration of General Assistance (see next article!). 

 

General Assistance is a small, monthly cash payment given to the most vulnerable Pennsylvanians, which for many goes to pay for housing. It has been eliminated in the budget passed last week by the Senate. If it disappears, more than 68,000 Pennsylvanians will wake up on July 1st with no income and no other place to turn. This will in turn increase homelessness and strain already burdened community and congregational resources. 

• Find out more here about General Assistance, which provides a small monthly cash payment to our state's most vulnerable citizens.    
• TAKE ACTION to send a message in support of GA to your legislators and Governor Corbett.  
• Read Public Theologians Advocate on Behalf of General Assistance blog post by Dustin Wright.    
• At Lutheran Day, LAMPa Seminarian Dustin Wright continued to gather more advocacy videos in support of General Assistance. View some of the videos below:  

Dustin Wright Wants to #KeepPAGA