JEFFERSON CITY, MO (KCTV/AP) -
Two groups that had been pushing to get initiatives stiffening regulations on payday loans and raising Missouri's minimum wage are giving up their fight to get the measures on the November ballot.
The groups, Missourians for Responsible Lending and Give Missourians a Raise, announced Monday morning there wasn't enough time to meet the Sept. 21 deadline for finalizing the ballot.
Secretary of State Robin Carnahan last month announced that neither measure had collected enough signatures to be placed on the ballot. The groups argued against that claim, saying a significant number of signatures were improperly invalidated.
Supporters of the measures say they still believe they collected enough signatures, but they've decided to drop their lawsuit challenging Carnahan's ruling.
Missourians for Equal Credit Opportunity said in a statement they were happy with Missourians for Responsible Lending's decision to stop trying to get their issue on the ballot.
We were pleased to hear that Missourians for Responsible Lending has dropped their legal challenge to place the "cap the rate" initiative on the November ballot. The Missouri Secretary of State properly determined that the proponents fell short of valid signatures required in the 1st Congressional district. The real winners today are the thousands of Missouri families who will continue to have access to valuable credit options.
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Copyright 2012 KCTV (Meredith Corp.) All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
