Bankers Demand Wisconsin Gov. Walker Veto Payday Loan Measure

– Pressure is mounting on Gov. Scott Walker to remove a provision of Wisconsin’s proposed $73 billion budget that opponents say would allow payday lenders to sell insurance, annuities and tax preparation services, and operate from locations as diverse as casinos and liquor stores.

Consumer, faith-based and business groups are lobbying the Republican governor and likely presidential candidate to use his line-item veto authority to strike the payday lending language, which was quietly added to the budget without any hearings or formal deliberation by lawmakers.

Opponents of the provision are moving aggressively because Walker is expected to act on the ...