There are major developments on two local projects my staff and I have been working on over the past few years.
As you know, curbing the reach of predatory lenders has been a top priority of mine. My staff and the Texas 101 Task Force have worked on this issue since 2014. Last night, in a unanimous vote, the Grand Prairie City Council joined Arlington and 42 other Texas cities in adopting a Credit Access Business (CAB) ordinance. As a result of this action, those who take out payday and auto-title loans in Grand Prairie will have greater protections and will be less likely to become trapped in a cycle of predatory loan debt.
The Grand Prairie City Council deserves our appreciation and thanks for stepping up and doing what is right for its citizens and for having the political will to do something the Legislature refuses to do — stand up to predatory lenders.
What cities are doing is making a real difference, but they really should not have to be dealing with this issue in the first place. It is the Legislature’s responsibility to regulate predatory lenders. I hope that as more cities join Grand Prairie and Arlington by passing CAB ordinances, state leaders will take notice and recognize it is time to act.
In the meantime, I am proud to say that 100 percent of District 101 is now covered by a predatory lending ordinance! I’m equally proud that so many citizens, through the Texas 101 Task Force and other means, became involved in this issue at the local level.
Another district project that we have worked on for a while is improving pedestrian safety along Spur 303/Pioneer Parkway in Arlington.
This busy thoroughfare, located in an area with significant residential housing and several schools, needs major pedestrian improvements. These will include additional sidewalks and safer crosswalks.
In response to these concerns, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has developed an improvement plan for Spur 303, which they will unveil at a public meeting Thursday evening, January 25, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Senior Recreation Center located at 1815 New York Avenue, Arlington, TX 76010.
Click Here to See the Proposed Plan
I hope that East Arlington residents will come out and share their thoughts on the proposed plan. My staff and I will be there and we hope to see you.
If you have any questions about Thursday’s meeting, email me at chris.turner@house.texas.gov.
