Loan Sharks Make Record Contributions

Email date: 3/25/10

In this update:
1. Will payday lenders and their money run out the clock?
2. Over 17,000 new records added to searchable donor database

Will payday lenders and their money run out the clock?
Executives in the payday lending industry gave more money to Wisconsin politicians in 2009 than in any previous non-election year, a Democracy Campaign report issued today shows. The donations and an all-out lobbying blitz are aimed at watering down or derailing proposed legislation regulating the industry. Wisconsin is the only state with no restrictions of any kind on cash advances and other forms of payday loans. And with only eight work days left in the legislative session, the chances of legislation clearing both houses and making it to the governor’s desk grow increasingly dim.

For audio commentary on today's report, check out our podcast.

Over 17,000 new records added to searchable donor database
The Democracy Campaign’s searchable database of contributors to state campaigns was updated today with donor information from the latest batch of campaign finance reports that cover activity through the end of 2009. More than 17,000 records of donations made in the second half of last year were added to the database.