Turner introduces bill to ban 'credit scoring'

[Judi Lynn]

Jan. 26, 2005, 10:44AM

Turner introduces bill to ban 'credit scoring'
If OK'd, electric companies would not be able to deny service over a poor financial history
By JANET ELLIOTT
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau

AUSTIN - Electricity providers would not be allowed to deny service or charge higher rates to customers with poor credit history under legislation proposed by a Houston lawmaker.

Rep. Sylvester Turner said he is not aware of any providers using "credit scoring" to set rates, but he thinks the Legislature should act pre-emptively to ban the practice.

"Credit scoring is discriminatory and wrong, and we must prohibit this detrimental practice," said Turner, a Democrat.

Credit scoring by insurance companies has been a hot issue at the Capitol, although lawmakers declined in the last session to ban the practice. But Turner said electricity can be a matter of life and death.
(snip/...)

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/business/3009441

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Thank god for Democratic Rep. Sylvester Turner.