Advocates for the poor, who thought they'd effectively sidelined a controversial bill clearing the way for payday lending in Pennsylvania, are girding for a renewed fight during this fall's legislative session.

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The industry is huge. According to a new report by the Pew Charitable Trusts, payday loan borrowers spend $7.4 billion annually at 20,000 storefront lenders and websites. But the report also concludes that the industry is fraught with risks for consumers:

First, although the loans are marketed as two-week solutions, borrowers are actually in debt an average of five months.

Second, although the loans are marketed as "short-term" credit, borrowers often have to take out renewals because they can't repay the loan by the next payday, the report says.

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