Texas AG Greg Abbott received more from payday lenders than previously stated

AUSTIN – Attorney General Greg Abbott received 60 percent more in contributions from the payday lending industry last year than an earlier analysis said he did.

Abbott, the Republican candidate for governor, received $88,000 over the six-month period that ended Dec. 31, according to an analysis published Monday by the watchdog group Texans for Public Justice. A preliminary analysis of campaign-finance reports that were released Jan. 15 put Abbott's payday contributions in the second half of 2013 at $55,000.

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The issue of payday lending is becoming a hot topic in the governor's race in Texas. State Sen. Wendy Davis, the democratic candidate for governor, has been hammering Abbott, the republican candidate, because he won't say whether he thinks the payday lending industry needs further regulation.

"Greg Abbott gave the green light to the payday lending industry to expand in our state," Davis' spokeswoman, Rebecca Acuna, said in an email Monday. "Abbott has proven that he is an advocate for payday lenders that go after hardworking families. Texans want a leader who believes you don't have to buy your way into Texas' future."

More at http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_25054151/report-attorney-general-greg-abbott-received-more-from .