The bill limits payday lenders and pawn shops to one per every 10,000 residents. Storefront payday lenders would also be prohibited from operating within 1,000 feet of another. The bill heads to Cuyahoga Falls City Council for debate and a possible vote out of committee tonight. Tom Allio is chair of the Ohio Coalition for Responsible Lending. He knows of no other Ohio cities doing this, although the village of Lakemore has since 2006.
Allio: Payday lenders do not advance the quality of life in our community. It places stresses on family life. It strips wealth from residents of Cuyahoga Galls and residents in cities across Ohio.
Payday lenders disagree. If the bill passes, five of Cuyahoga Falls' 7 payday lenders would have to close. Darryl Dever is a lobbyist for the payday lending industry. He says the growth of payday shops is a sign that the industry is useful for customers.
Dever: People are looking for help over the short term and if these businesses go away what are the alternatives? They're back to bouncing checks or forced online to an unregulated industry that charges more money.
Mhari Saito, 90.3.