Consumer Confidential: Why Is a Group of Lawmakers Working to Undermine Tighter Rules for the Payday Loan Industry?
In a bizarre display of bipartisan cooperation, a handful of Democratic lawmakers have joined Republicans in trying to cripple the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The question is: Why? Most notably, Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who also serves as chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, is co-sponsoring the deceptively titled Consumer Protection and Choice Act, which would undermine the watchdog agency’s...
Disease Causes Florida Orange Crop to Shrink
Florida’s orange growers keep getting squeezed. After the state’s crop fell to the lowest in almost five decades, production will probably will drop further in the season starting Oct. 1 as a citrus-greening disease continues to wreak havoc for the U.S.’s biggest producer. Shrinking plantings come at a time of diminished consumption. Farmers will probably collect about 90.75 million boxes in the coming year, according to the average...
Crowdfunding Requests Run the Gamut
Orlando, Fla. — Daliah Lugo wants a license to practice law in Florida, but she can’t afford the Bar exam fees. Lori Krause has fallen behind on her bills and needs new tires. Rich Wise didn’t have the cash to retrieve his dogs from the pound. The three Floridians are among thousands of people who have turned to crowdfunding to pay for necessities and luxuries alike. Known as places to appeal for help with catastrophic medical...
