(Image from Americans for Fairness in Lending)
Here’s a problem that’s ripe for attention. Cousins Kevin and Richard Abourezk, enrolled members of the Rosebud and Oglala Sioux tribes, respectively, have started a blog called War Pony Express.
Part of their aim is “to get people talking about predatory lending by car dealers to Native American buyers and plenty of other topics.”
We don’t know how that problem plays out in other states, but in Montana, bills that would have regulated such lending practices, specifically so-called payday loans, got shot down in the last two legislative sessions.
Native people testified at committee hearings in Montana, but failed to sway lawmakers. Now a citizens group is trying to get a ballot measure passed.
We’ll be watching the War Pony Express with great interest, and hope you will, too. Suggestions there may serve as a model for measures in other states.
Gwen Florio
Tags: buffalo post, Gwen Florio, Kevin Abourezk, Native American news, Oglala Sioux, Payday loans, Predatory lending, Richard Abourezk, Rosebud Sioux, War Pony Express
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