Consumer
The Consumer Policy Advocacy section contains Legislative Memos, Letters, Comments and Testimony. You will also find news items, articles and reports that relate to our policy work in consumer.
Legislative Memos
Memorandum of Support: Amend Social Services Law § 106 to Protect the Homes of Welfare Recipients
New York is one of only two states in the nation that takes deeds and mortgages against the homes of welfare recipients to recover the public assistance paid to these homeowners. This bill would exempt persons who own and reside in one, two or three family homes from this archaic provision. If the goal of New York’s public assistance policy is to restore individuals to self-sufficiency, then it is time to pass this bill! Read More
Memorandum in Opposition: New Yorkers Do Not Need Check Cashers as Lenders in New York
Empire Justice Center strongly opposes A.7047/S.3841, referred to as the “short-term financial services loan act.” We believe the bill would create an unlevel playing field by allowing check cashers to make loans that are currently prohibited from being made by mainstream, regulated banks and credit unions. Read More
Memo of Opposition: Don’t Legalize Debt Settlement Scams in New York State
As other state legislatures add or strengthen needed consumer protections, New York should not legalize a for-profit debt settlement model that is inherently unworkable and abusive. Read More
Legislative Memo: Help Protect Homeowners and Shorten the Foreclosure Process- Clarify Standing to Sue in Foreclosure Actions
This bill provides that only the owner and holder of a mortgage and note, or its agent, shall have standing to commence a mortgage foreclosure action. Read More
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Policy Letters
U.S. Senate Needs to Confirm Cordray to Lead Consumer Bureau
Empire Justice Center is among 220 organizations urging Senate to confirm Richard Cordray to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Read More
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Comments
AFR Urges CFPB Scrutiny of Private Student Lenders
Americans for Financial Reform (AFR), of which Empire Justice Center is a member, submitted comments to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau documenting concerns about the private student loan industry. Read More
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Testimony
Testimony of Empire Justice Client at Assembly Minimum Wage Hearing in Buffalo
My name is Tammy Bove. I went to Empire Justice for help with legal problems I was facing at my job. And today I’m here to share with you some of the hardship I faced in working at a minimum wage job. Read More
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Policy Related News
New Survey of Housing Counselors Points to Banks Failures in Compliance with Foreclosure Prevention (California Reinvestment Coalition)
A new survey of housing counselors in California reveals the failure of banks to comply with policies and programs that would help homeowners avoid foreclosure.
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NYS Foreclosure Prevention Services Progam Campaign Celebrates Albany Collaboration to Restore Funding
The New York State Foreclosure Prevention Services campaign today thanks and applauds the groundbreaking agreement among Governor Andrew Cuomo, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and the New York State Legislature to provide six months of critical funding for the statewide Foreclosure Prevention Services Program in the FY 2012-13 budget.
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