Hundreds Support Stand Up Missouri in Rally at State Capitol

Coalition and supporters call on Missourians to say "No, Thank You" to deceptive ballot initiative

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., Feb. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 500 concerned citizens joined Stand Up Missouri, a nonpartisan coalition representing concerned citizens and businesses from across the state, and legislators at a kick off rally at the State Capitol today. The purpose of the rally was to encourage Missourians to decline to sign a petition being circulated under the guise of stamping out predatory lending.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120208/DC50498)

Tom Hudgins, Chairman of Stand Up Missouri, told the crowd that by signing the petition Missourians would eliminate consumer access to traditional installment loans and other affordable credit options. In 2011, over 180,000 Missourians relied on safe and affordable traditional installment loans to meet their financial needs and emergencies. 

Rally participants chanted "Decline to Sign" and "Just Say No" on the South Steps of the State Capitol during the event, which featured speeches from State Representatives Don Wells, Sandy Crawford and Wanda Brown. 

Hudgins described the rally as a show of force for the many Missourians who would be negatively impacted by the ballot initiative which, if successful, would destroy and eliminate their access to safe, affordable, low-dollar credit options such as traditional installment loans. "Today, we have consumers and businesses, families and legislators, all in agreement about the need to shine truth on a deceptive ballot initiative," said Hudgins.

State Representative Sandy Crawford pointed out that Missourians have relied on traditional consumer installment loans to safely meet financial emergencies and manage larger household expenses for many decades.

"If this ballot initiative passes, our customers will have no options," said Felicia Zirkelbach, a participant at the rally.  "There are many in my community and across the state who have nowhere to turn when faced with difficult times. I'm proud to be able to help those in need secure safe and affordable loans."

State Representative Wells and Brown both urged the crowd to spread the word about this critical issue.

Stand Up Missouri is encouraging all Missourians interested in preserving access to responsible credit to get more information, join the coalition, and spread the word. In the upcoming months, the coalition will host several events throughout the state to educate Missourians about the benefits of traditional consumer installment loans.

For more information on Stand Up Missouri, please visit www.standupmissouri.org.  

About Stand Up Missouri
Stand Up Missouri is a nonpartisan coalition of consumers and businesses from across the state who have come together to protect access to safe and affordable lending options. For over 100 years, Americans have relied on traditional installment loans as a safe and affordable option for personal and household credit. In these times of great economic uncertainty, it doesn't make sense to eliminate or reduce access to the credit provided by these important loans.

If the lending cap ballot initiative passes, it will hurt individual Missourians, families, and the state economy, and it will result in lost jobs and millions of dollars in lost revenue for businesses across Missouri. Stand up Missouri is working to educate Missourians about their right to informed credit choices and continued access to safe and affordable loans.

Stand Up Missouri does not represent payday lending or payday interests. The coalition does not accept funding from any organization associated with payday lending and strictly represents the interests of traditional consumer installment lenders.

SOURCE Stand Up Missouri