Our committee, known as Voters Empowered To Overturn SB 117, or VETO SB 117, had 60 days to gather 241,366 signatures from registered voters in at least 44 Ohio counties to qualify the issue for the 2008 election. Volunteers obtained signatures in all 88 counties, but fell short of the total required.

Unprecedented time restrictions and procedural issues hampered the volunteer effort.

Despite the obstacles, our committee organized a grass roots effort that gained momentum with each passing day. The response from consumers has been overwhelmingly favorable. People are angry that their state legislature favored dishonest corporations over consumers and taxpayers. Many also expressed frustration about the time limitations for circulating petitions.

In explaining the issue to voters, we highlighted the devastating effect the provisions of SB 117, which "gutted" the penalties for predatory lending, will have on the foreclosure crisis in Ohio.