and eight other members of the Senate Financial Institutions and Housing Committee were the first to sponsor legislation (SB 5279) regulating payday lending in Washington. According to the Washington State Legislature Final Bill Report on SB 5279, it was introduced because: "Short-term small loans serve a credit need in the community. . . . It is better to regulate the activity than to simply ignore it or prohibit it." This legislation was approved by the Washington Legislature in a 144 to 1 vote and became effective July 23, 1995. When the $15 fee per $100 borrowed on a two-week term is converted into an APR (annualized percentage rate) it is approximately 390%. News sources have reported on Prentice's opposition to attempts to cap the allowable fees on these loans to 36% APR. Campaign contributions Prentice is a fund raising heavy hitter for herself and for the State Democratic party. August 2008 Washington Public Disclosure Commission records show that Prentice raised more than $231,000 in the 2008 election year reporting period. In a series of articles attacking Prentice, the Seattle Stranger dubbed her "Senator MoneyTree" because of her acceptance of contributions from Moneytree, a financial services company founded and headquartered in her district. Washington State Public Disclosure Commission records as of August 19, 2008 indicate that there have been no Moneytree-related contributions to the Senator since 2004 and that in the past combined 10 years, Prentice accepted a total of $1,050 from Moneytree and/or its principals – less than half of one percent of contributions the Senator raised in the 2008 reporting period alone. Recognition Throughout her legislative career, Prentice received recognition for her political and civic work. In 2006, she received the following honors: Outstanding Legislator by the Children's Alliance Legislator of the Year, Retail Association and Mortgage Brokers Association Legislator of the Year, Washington Health Care Association Legislator of the Year, Washington State Labor Council Legislator of the Year, Washington State Nurses Association Legislator of the Year, Home Health Care Association King County Nurse of the Year Champion of Health Care, Valley Medical Center Distinguished Service Award, Washington Association of Homes for the Aging Legislator of the Year, Washington State Dental Hygienists' Association Civic memberships and activities Prentice is a member of various civic and political organizations including: American Civil Liberties Union, Amnesty International, Democratic National Committee, First Vice President of the Washington State Nurses Association for 1968–1972, Labor