State Sen. Lee Constantine (R-Altamonte Springs) said Thursday he, not Sen. Skip Campbell, shepherded the 2001 payday loan bill that has become a model for the country. Campbell, the Republican Party of Florida said Thursday, sponsored a much more anti-consumer version in 1999. Campbell was forced to defend his record earlier this week, after his Republican opponent and a 527-attacked Campbell for what they called an anti-consumer bill.

“Skip Campbell tried to dodge his record and in doing so, he intentionally misled voters,” said Carole Jean Jordan, Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida.  “Though Campbell is trying to get credit for something he didn’t do in an effort to defend a major weakness and cover up his questionable record, voters will see right through it.” 

Campbell was a sponsor of the 2001 legislation with Constantine, after Campbell's bill was combined with the Republicans. His original 1999 legislation called for higher interest rates (15 percent) than what was ultimately adopted (10 percent). Both bills prohibited lenders from rolling over payments in exchange for higher interest rate charges, according to news reports. “Senator Campbell must be confused,” said Senator Constantine. “I negotiated and sponsored the 2001 bill that became the model for the rest of the country. A co-sponsor is much different than a co-author. The bill that he authored in 1999 and is currently being called into question, is another story.”