The check cashers' bill
The Asa! forces have been making much of a 1999 Senate vote in which Mike Beebe was recorded as a vote for the blood-sucking legislation that enabled the usurious check-cashing industry in Arkansas. Beebe had been an opponent of the bill in committee.
Here, in the Arkansas Leader, is the fullest explanation we've seen on how this may have come to pass and how, at the time, Beebe served notice that he'd been recorded incorrectly. Legislative veteran Ernie Dumas, quoted in the column by Garrick Feldman, almost certainly guesses correctly that the 35-0 roll call on this bill occurred during one of those times in the session where the Senate rolls out dozens of bills on unanimous roll calls to clean up business whose outcome has already been decided.
Comments
Nice try. Ask Mr. Dumas who determines what bills are put on the unanimous agenda. That's right folks, the President of the Senate. Let's see, refresh my memory, who was the President of the Senate in 1999? That's right, gang-Mike Beebe. So Beebe's best friend, Don Tilton is lobbying for the check cashers. Mike Beebe is so opposed to this bill that he not only puts it on the unanimous bill agenda but he fails to vote against it. Beebe's really quite the stand-up guy.
Posted by: Under the Dome | April 15, 2006 10:16 AM
Wow. Everybody is NOW in an uproar over a payday lender bill?
What business is it of the state to regulate payday lenders. The people who use them know what they're getting into and they chose those terms.
So, why bitch about Beebe or other politicians who support their industry?
Its called personal responsibility and free enterprise. Stuff that usta be considered good ideas.
Posted by: WTF? | April 15, 2006 12:09 PM
Asa expecting to win the governor's office by making a jor issue of kicking out the payday lenders is really hilarious.
The average voter could care less, and the average payday lender customer will vote against him, if they are registered to vote.
This really shows how out of touch Asa is with Arkansas.
Posted by: Really! | April 15, 2006 02:56 PM
The average voter could care less, and the average payday lender customer will vote against him, if they are registered to vote.
Posted by: Really! | April 15, 2006 02:56 PM
Well, I wouldn't bet on that. The average payday lender customer is so hysterically homophobic that he's ripe for the pickins by Asa! and the rest of the divide-n-conquer Republican troupe. It does beg the question of why Asa! is harping on this issue, though--I'll grant ya that.
Posted by: The Values of the Dollarless | April 15, 2006 04:21 PM
Calm down. The average payday lender does not vote. He can't afford to leave the McJob during election day or early voting to vote...every dime counts.
Posted by: BlueTicker | April 15, 2006 06:34 PM
Well, I wouldn't bet on that. The average payday lender customer is so hysterically homophobic that he's ripe for the pickins by Asa! ..says The Value of the Dollarless
Say what?
Posted by: mag | April 15, 2006 10:58 PM
I'd be tempted to vote based soley on this issue cause it says a lot about the candidate. I've been very disappointed with Beebe when it comes to payday leeches. Forget if Beebe voted yes or no. How many illegal payday leeches has he shut down the past 4 years? How many have remained in business untouched.
Posted by: dpa sc member | April 16, 2006 06:20 AM
"I've been very disappointed with Beebe when it comes to payday leeches"
This is a legal business protected by the laws of Arkansas. However, there are probably a few bad apples. Do you throw out the whole bushel, or just the few bad ones.
AG Beebee has targeted and sucessfully closed some of the payday lenders who have violated the law.
Sorry, Asa, this is a non-issue. Get in touch.
Posted by: Out of touch Asa | April 16, 2006 09:45 AM
It's a small issue, but not a deal-breaker for either candidate. The Flag Burning Amendment and its odious cousins, while irrelevant, are slouching toward November. And when the polls show Democrats gaining in races state and district-wide, the September bombing of Iran will certainly play a part.
Posted by: Jim Kata | April 16, 2006 02:16 PM
Payday lenders?
They are loan sharks.
Posted by: 19thgeneration | April 17, 2006 07:43 AM