Earlier this year SEIU worked in coalition with hundreds of other organizations to pass HB 545 reforming the payday lending industry in Ohio.

Among other provisions, HB 545 reduced the payday loan interest rates from 391% to 28% APR.  Currently, the national payday lobby organization is collecting signatures for the first round of the referendum process. They plan to spend upwards of $20 million on this campaign.  

The Attorney General ruled a few weeks ago that the first bill summary written by the national lobby was unfair and misleading. They rewrote the language and fanned out across the state collecting signatures.

If you or another member have been approached by a petition circulator, who may have misrepresented the issue to you, please contact cathyjohnston@cohhio.org with information about the location, date and summary of the circulator's presentation about the issue.   

Below is a video about payday lending circulators misleading voters into signing their petitions.

<<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDoeXujagE4>>

The video explains how those who were deceived into signing can get their names off of the petitions.

But you must act fast; the PETITION SUBMISSION DEADLINE IS AUGUST 31. You must have notified the payday lending campaign headquarters by FRIDAY, AUGUST 29. We can help you! Call us on our new hotline number:

1-866-966-8727

"The payday lenders took my name and I want it back,'' Bexley resident Peder Johanson says in the video. Johanson, who is studying for the seminary, was told the referendum is intended to lower interest rates, rather than raise them.

He urges others who were deceived into signing to call the new COHHIO hotline. Consumer advocates staffing the hotline will work to ensure that removal requests are honored.

Society condemns usury, fraud, exploitation and injustices, especially if it is directed toward the poorest members of our community. To learn more about what makes a payday loan a defective product, one that by design and intent, traps hardworking Ohioans in unmanageable debt, by visiting:

http://www.yesonissue5.com/

Please help us turn predatory payday lending into responsible payday lending by keeping House Bill 545 intact.

And don't be fooled into signing a petition that promises payday lending 'reform.' It's just another trap.  

Thanks for your help with this important issue. And remember, in November, vote YES on Issue 5!