Monday, July 17, 2006

State Sen. Martha Scott may be the matriarch of politics in her Detroit district, but one of the region's rising political stars is threatening to oust her from the Legislature in the August 8 Democratic primary.

Tough words are being exchanged between Scott, 70, and state Rep. Bill McConico, 33, over Scott's effectiveness and McConico's inexperience in the race for the 2nd Senate District, which covers Highland Park, Hamtramck, northeast Detroit, Harper Woods and the Grosse Pointes.

Challenger McConico might be less than half the incumbent's age, but the state representative is emphasizing his achievements, pointing to laws he sponsored, one of which regulated the payday loan industry. He also has repealed the state's mandatory-minimum drug sentencing laws, and created the so-called Blight Court in Detroit that deals with violations like illegal dumping and abandoned real estate.

The new law mandating the state's payday loan business took effect June 1, and as a result, all lenders are required to charge less than they used to when payday loans are issued. With the passage of the law, a payday loan company now cannot charge more than $76 on a $600 cash advance. No loan can be for more than $600, and a consumer is limited to having only two cash loans outstanding at once.

It will be interesting to see how this race shapes up as the primary approaches, and what role, if any, the new laws play in deciding its outcome. The quick payday loan business has become increasingly popular in the state, and Michigan's consumers need to elect the representatives most likely to protect their rights.

This entry was posted on Monday, July 17th, 2006 at 9:57 am and is filed under Michigan.