My commitment to a public interest legal career is what brought me to CRL in early 2022. My work at CRL has focused on policy and advocacy work in California while also supporting allies in several other states and handling some federal issues when needed. Because CRL has a physical presence in California and longstanding commitment to advocacy in the state, we are very much at the forefront of our advocacy efforts here. In other states where I help support local coalitions, we provide background support like research on upcoming legislation, collecting data and stories from citizens, policy expertise, and familiarity with nationwide trends to keep partners informed of key economic justice issues. | | |
The focus of my first year at CRL was advocacy before the California legislature, the state courts, and California state agency responsible for consumer financial protection. I am very proud to have played a key role – along with my colleagues at CRL and our allies in the state – in the passage of legislation to improve California’s wage garnishment protections. No one should be pushed further into poverty because a creditor is seizing their wages for a debt that the person cannot pay. In addition, I helped defeat two bills pushed by corporate interests that would have allowed financial institutions to make more money off the backs of financially vulnerable Californians, filed an amicus brief with the California Superior Court, and drafted multiple comment letters to our state regulator advocating for consumer-friendly policies. My time at CRL has taught me that we have so much more work to do. For every victory that CRL notches in its advocacy, I learn about two or three new economic justice issues that demand immediate attention. To name just a few, payday lenders can still trap borrowers in the payday debt trap in too many states, there is still a yawning racial homeownership gap, and emergent fintech business models are always in need of regulatory scrutiny. In my next year at CRL I look forward to working on these and other issues in California, other states, and at the federal level. I want to take a moment to formally thank you for your generosity. Because of donors like you, we can advocate for the economically vulnerable and those underserved by the existing financial marketplace who are targeted for unfair financial products that leave them worse off. At CRL, we are acutely aware that this group disproportionately includes people of color, women, rural residents, and low-wealth families and communities. I hope you will consider making a gift to CRL today, and that this brief correspondence will assure you that your generosity is being put to important, effective, work at CRL. Thank You,
Andrew Kushner
Policy Counsel |
The Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) is a leading nonprofit, nonpartisan organization focused on financial fairness and opportunity. Fighting for economic justice for low- and middle-income families, military personnel and veterans, and people of color is our mission and highest priority. |
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