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May 22, 2008
Which jurisdiction oversees check cashing? (updated)
Your humble blogger has long been under the impression that local officials are powerless to stop the spread of title-pawn and check-cashing businesses; that state lawmakers would be the ones to regulate them.
A few weeks ago, though, a story ran in the Tennessean about Metro Nashville-Davidson's efforts to "ban any new check cashing establishments and other related businesses from" a specific area, and to do this through amendments to existing zoning ordinances.
What would the governments of Chattanooga and East Ridge say to this? Does anyone know why it seems so confusing as to which governmental body has control over this?
UPDATE: A kind reader sent an email which confirmed that the state government regulates the industry, while municipalities "can attempt to impose zoning restrictions on them." However, it's unclear how effective such zoning measures have been. The reader also sent a few articles on the subject that appeared in the Chattanooga Times Free Press a couple of years ago. I'm pasting the titles and authors at the end of this post in order to assist readers in searching for them.
Disclaimer: I am not against the legal practice of any enterprise. Some consider these firms a useful tool for the community; many others call them a scourge. I am not publishing an opinion about them; but merely asking under which jurisdiction they really fall.
Aug. 16, 2006
Alternative lending bill tabled by Council
By Herman Wang
Staff Writer
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July 4, 2006
City tweaks loan shop plan
Zoning rules watched by East Ridge, which has similar worries
By Jason M. Reynolds
Staff Writer
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Nov. 6, 2005
City Council looks at limits for amount of payday lenders
By Herman Wang
Staff Writer
Policy | By joe lance | 8:16 PM
