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The nearly 1,300 pro-family Virginians who gathered at the Greater Richmond Convention Center last night at The Family Foundation of Virginia’s Annual Gala were treated to a fantastic evening of inspiration, motivation and topped off by a wonderful keynote address by former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee. The host of the Fox News Channel hit Huckabee was in great form with an inspirational speech filled with philosophy, morality, Biblical principles, humor (lava soap, anyone?) and capped with a moving exposition as to what happens when people ignore the tragedies around them (see Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog). 

Just a week before election day, it was abundantly clear that pro-family citizens are excited about the future and are mobilized to act. The energy in the convention center was palpable. From the beginning of the program with an inspirational rendition of our National Anthem by eight-year-old Alana Springsteen to the final special music by April Lee, no one could leave room last night not feeling excited about the future of Virginia and the future of The Family Foundation.

Governor Huckabee combined humor with personal stories and an emotional challenge to the crowd, encouraging them to fight for our freedom, regardless of the cost. Touching on his time as a pastor and then as a politician, he made it abundantly clear that there is no time when Christians should abandon politics and government. Instead, we must continue to fight for our values to ensure a prosperous future.

As Family Foundation of Virginia President Victoria Cobb told the audience:

We look forward to election day this year with cautious optimism. One might even say we look forward to the future with hope for change. Yet, while we may anticipate electoral victory, we realize that it is just one small part of the cultural renewal that we seek, and there is so much more to be done. The Family Foundation has had one of the busiest years in our history, but the results on Election Day are not the completion of our work – just a new beginning. 

The Family Foundation Gala has become the largest pro-family gathering of its kind in Virginia and Governor Huckabee’s message was perfect for the evening. Joining the him in the program were our emcee, and new Chaplain to The Family Foundation’s Pastors For Family Values, Bishop Earl Jackson; Speaker of the House Bill Howell, who introduced Governor Huckabee; and Pastor Jonathan Falwell of Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, who gave the invocation and voiced strong support for the Family Foundation’s work.

Also last evening, Delegate Glenn Oder (R-94, Newport News) was honored with The Family Foundation’s Legislator of the Year Award for his leadership on payday lending reform (see The Shad Plank). Delegate Oder showed principled leadership and an ability to work with a diverse coalition of organizations and legislators to get results on a tough issue. The compromise bill he was able to craft has significantly reduced the number of payday lending stores in Virginia and helped protect families from predatory lenders.

As we posted in yesterday’s News Stand, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported that one of the largest payday lending groups, Check ‘n Go, is closing up shop and leaving Virginia. While we would normally frown on the loss of business in our Commonwealth, the predatory lending institutions like this bring no benefit to the citizens of Virginia, and we’re glad to see them go.

Last year we were proud to work along side a diverse coalition of organizations, including the U.S. Military and the Better Business Bureau, that sought to limit the interest rates payday lenders charge to the same rates, by law, other financial institutions, may charge, and level the playing field. The incredibly high interest rates payday lenders charged trapped Virginians into cycles of debt and put families at risk. Though we were unsuccessful in capping the rate, the General Assembly did approve several restrictions, such as the number of loans an individual can have and remedies for those caught in the debt trap.

While not thrilled with the outcome, it was an incremental step in the right direction. This year, the General Assembly further restricted these lenders after they sought to side-step last year’s law (The Family Foundation did not take a position on the issue this year.) Along with the declining economy, where joblessness continues to increase, few people are spending beyond their means. Combined with the new restrictions, payday lenders are finding fewer victims.

One comment from a payday lender in the T-D article was revealing. W. Allen Jones, founder and chairman of Check Into Cash, of Cleveland, Tenn., said, “People will not overspend; they’re not confident in their jobs.”

Note that, according to this quote, payday lenders were counting on people overspending. Payday lenders were created to take advantage of people’s irresponsibility or desperation. This is not a business model that the Commonwealth of Virginia should endorse. As bad as the recession is, at least the bright spot of a payday lender leaving Virginia, has come from it.

The Virginia Catholic Conference has produced an excellent report card for the 2008 General Assembly session. (The card does include two issues The Family Foundation does not take a position on, the death penalty and immigration.)

Especially interesting is the section dedicated to the Senate Education and Health committee. 

Check out how your delegate and senator voted on key issues during the 2008 General Assembly. Now is a great time to try to meet with them to let them know your support or opposition to their votes.