By Eddie Rogers
The Virginia House yesterday approved a bill to allow car-title lenders to extend credit to out-of-state drivers. The approval means that the House overcame objections from a bipartisan group of delegates who argued Virginia should not approve the bill and follow the neighboring states that have banned car-title lending. The new bill would overturn a new state regulation adopted in October.

The bill passed the Democratic-led state Senate last month, where it was sponsored by Majority Leader Richard L. Saslaw (D-Fairfax). But it faced serious debate in the GOP-led House of Delegates on Monday. The House adopted the bill by 51 to 47 vote. Critics of the industry say it will harm people who are interested in taking fast cash. Consumer advocates claimed that the industry is protected by hefty campaign contributions. Virginia politicians and parties have received more than $1 million since 2004 from registered car-title lenders.

Del. G. Glenn Oder (R-Newport News), an open opponent of car-title lending and the related industry of payday lending. "If you want to expand car-title lending - if you want to see car-title lenders do more loans in the state of Virginia - then you want to vote yes," he challenged colleagues.

The bill's supporters argued that the regulations adopted by the General Assembly last year will product the consumers. "If you're a moral busybody and you insist on substituting your moral judgment, your financial judgment and your fiscal judgment for those of every other person in the Commonwealth, then vote against the bill," said Del. William R. Janis (R-Goochland), a supporter of the bill.