Hello!
Friends, now that my head has cleared from the giddiness of victory, I'm second-guessing myself. Yes, my Republican friends and I blocked passage of the Healthy Kids Plan and prevented an outright 84.5 cent increase in the tobacco tax.
But now the Healthy Kids Plan is going to the voters. I don't mind telling you that I'm worried. Let's be honest here, I'm a lot less popular with the general public than I am with the GOP. I can't write EVERY voter a check to show what a great guy I am.
I have between now and November 2007 to convince them.
For now, though, I'm going to shake it off and remember the good times. Let's watch the video again!
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
From my mortgage lender friends
Hello!
In my excitement about the events of today, I forgot to post about a turn of events that my lobbyist co-hort, Mark Nelson, is watching very closely.
It seems that the "advocates" for homeowners and workers have caught on to the fact that the predatory mortgage lenders are using a "by all means necessary" tactic to kill SB 965, the Oregon Home Loan Fairness Act.
They are urging people to contact lawmakers in support of this bill.
Look, I know they are stretching the truth a bit. But friends, you've heard the adage: "If you have the facts on your side, pound the facts; if you have the law on your side, pound the law; if you have neither the facts nor the law, pound the table."
Frankly, we don't have the facts or the law on our side. Anyone who has been paying even the slightest attention knows that the subprime mortgage lending market is in a free-for-all and SB 965 is Oregon's best chance to freeze the meltdown.
And that's exactly why we are in "pound the table," mode. We can't let the facts get in the way of what's best for the industry.
In my excitement about the events of today, I forgot to post about a turn of events that my lobbyist co-hort, Mark Nelson, is watching very closely.
It seems that the "advocates" for homeowners and workers have caught on to the fact that the predatory mortgage lenders are using a "by all means necessary" tactic to kill SB 965, the Oregon Home Loan Fairness Act.
They are urging people to contact lawmakers in support of this bill.
Look, I know they are stretching the truth a bit. But friends, you've heard the adage: "If you have the facts on your side, pound the facts; if you have the law on your side, pound the law; if you have neither the facts nor the law, pound the table."
Frankly, we don't have the facts or the law on our side. Anyone who has been paying even the slightest attention knows that the subprime mortgage lending market is in a free-for-all and SB 965 is Oregon's best chance to freeze the meltdown.
And that's exactly why we are in "pound the table," mode. We can't let the facts get in the way of what's best for the industry.
Kicking Butt
Hello!
Today the Associated Press reports that my House Republican friends are sticking with me through thick and thin, even in the face of what many "Salem observers" are calling a good trade. The governor has proposed a compromise package that would give raise the tax-exemption level of the estate tax to $2 million, from the current $1 million level. As the AP reports, for years the estate tax has been a priority. The governor also proposed an increase of the corporate minimum but the details on the amount are unclear.
Friends, do you understand what's happened? Do you understand what a victory this is for me? It means that the House Republicans are willing to set aside one of their core principles in order to stand by me and stonewall increasing the cigarette tax.
It's incredible. I'm so moved. To be honest, I thought we were in for a tough time over the cigarette tax alone - as you know, the Healthy Kids Plan funded by a cigarette tax increase is wildly popular with voters and my GOP friends will leave Salem on the defense just for blocking that. I mean, let's be frank: it will be difficult to explain to the people in their districts. For that reason, some Republicans were getting jumpy but we were holding it together.
Yet even I underestimated the depth of their loyalty to me. Not only are they willing to fall on the sword with all voters, they are willing to thumb their noses at their base constituency, which really wants the estate tax exemption increased.
Not only that, they rejected a plan to take off the table the bumper sticker message of "I paid more taxes than PGE," thanks to Oregon's $10 corporate minimum. (An amount which even I admit is absurd.)
It's all so heady. And I'll tell you this:
I refuse to listen to the naysayers who say that the Republicans are planting their flag in quicksand with their extreme "no new taxes," pledge.
I will not entertain any notion that the Republicans are backing themselves into a permanent minority by pandering to the extreme right-wing of their party that is being controlled by D.C.-based FreedomWorks.
And I will stand up to those who say the GOP plan is idiotic because the voters will simply pass the cigarette tax without them after it's referred by the legislature, leaving the Republicans standing alone as heartless shills of the tobacco industry.
Because this is victory, and it smells too sweet to spoil with thoughts of the future. Let's just savor today. Together.
Mr. Butts
Today the Associated Press reports that my House Republican friends are sticking with me through thick and thin, even in the face of what many "Salem observers" are calling a good trade. The governor has proposed a compromise package that would give raise the tax-exemption level of the estate tax to $2 million, from the current $1 million level. As the AP reports, for years the estate tax has been a priority. The governor also proposed an increase of the corporate minimum but the details on the amount are unclear.
Friends, do you understand what's happened? Do you understand what a victory this is for me? It means that the House Republicans are willing to set aside one of their core principles in order to stand by me and stonewall increasing the cigarette tax.
It's incredible. I'm so moved. To be honest, I thought we were in for a tough time over the cigarette tax alone - as you know, the Healthy Kids Plan funded by a cigarette tax increase is wildly popular with voters and my GOP friends will leave Salem on the defense just for blocking that. I mean, let's be frank: it will be difficult to explain to the people in their districts. For that reason, some Republicans were getting jumpy but we were holding it together.
Yet even I underestimated the depth of their loyalty to me. Not only are they willing to fall on the sword with all voters, they are willing to thumb their noses at their base constituency, which really wants the estate tax exemption increased.
Not only that, they rejected a plan to take off the table the bumper sticker message of "I paid more taxes than PGE," thanks to Oregon's $10 corporate minimum. (An amount which even I admit is absurd.)
It's all so heady. And I'll tell you this:
I refuse to listen to the naysayers who say that the Republicans are planting their flag in quicksand with their extreme "no new taxes," pledge.
I will not entertain any notion that the Republicans are backing themselves into a permanent minority by pandering to the extreme right-wing of their party that is being controlled by D.C.-based FreedomWorks.
And I will stand up to those who say the GOP plan is idiotic because the voters will simply pass the cigarette tax without them after it's referred by the legislature, leaving the Republicans standing alone as heartless shills of the tobacco industry.
Because this is victory, and it smells too sweet to spoil with thoughts of the future. Let's just savor today. Together.
Mr. Butts
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
A traitor in my midst
This is the kind of thing that leads to legislation like 2871. The Center for Responsible Lending scored an interview with a former manager for one of my payday loan shops. She sang like a bird.
Watch the video here.
Hey there,
Now I'm tracking two payday loan bills - House Bill 2871, which will cap interest rates payday, car title, and consumer finance loans. Within the last hour it was approved by the Senate Commerce Committee. This makes me extremely cranky.
I've managed to kill 14 other interest rate caps in 14 other states. But here they've got a Democratic Speaker of the House, Jeff Merkley, who has a fir in his belly about making sure consumers don't get ripped off. He's been a stick in my craw for years, but now that he's speaker, he can do some real damage.
If this bill passes the Senate, all of my plans to use loopholes to protect my business model will crumble. This bill caps interest rates to 30 percent + the current Federal Reserve Discount Rate. That means bye-bye 500 percent interest and bye-bye guaranteed repeat loans from people who can't afford to pay off the loans they took out for quick emergency cash.
Like I said, this bill makes me cranky.
Next up before this committee is House Bill 2005, which will add underwriting requirements to payday lending. This is a disaster.
Hey there,
As my good friend Mr. Butts said, I am really having to shake my fin in Salem this year. There are several bills pending that would cut into my bottom line and many are having hearings today.
Right now I am monitoring Senate Bill 965 and amendments which would limit the prepayment penalties I can charge for subprime loans and would force me to provide some sort of benefit to the borrower in order to refinance a loan.
Doesn't sound like much, does it? But here's the thing...those two provisions go after some of my main profit centers.
And I'm ready. I've got the hearing room just PACKED with mortgage brokers. They are testifying one after another about how Senate Bill 965 will put them out of business.
It won't, of course. Many many states with thriving subprime mortgage markets have much more strict regulations. Oregon is a great place for me - it currently ranks at the bottom when it comes to offering protections from abusive practices of subprime lending. In reality, I know Oregon subprime lenders will continue to operate and thrive under Senate Bill 965 – in fact more than 80 percent of subprime lenders in Oregon also operate in New Mexico and North Carolina.
But if Mr. Butts can say smoking doesn't cause cancer, I can say SB 965 will shut me down. Fair's fair.
Sharing my blog
Since I'm going to be offline for awhile shoring up my Republican friends, I'm going to turn my blog over to a friend of mine, Mr. Loan Shark.
Mr. Loan Shark has had a difficult time of it this session. The Democratic lawmakers have been going after his core business practices: payday lending, car title lending and subprime mortgages. He's dealing with two hearings today and he wants to make sure his side of the story is heard. I'm happy to comply.
Take it away, Mr. Loan Shark.
Mr. Loan Shark has had a difficult time of it this session. The Democratic lawmakers have been going after his core business practices: payday lending, car title lending and subprime mortgages. He's dealing with two hearings today and he wants to make sure his side of the story is heard. I'm happy to comply.
Take it away, Mr. Loan Shark.
I don't like where this is headed
Yesterday the Senate Rules Committee passed the bill that refers a constitutional amendment to increase the Oregon tobacco tax to the voters this next November.
I'm just beside myself. This means the horse is out of the barn and makes it more likely that the tobacco tax will be raised. In fact, it nearly guarantees it.
Republican leader Wayne Scott is holding firm, though. Here's what he told the Oregonian newspaper:
"House Minority Leader Wayne Scott, R-Canby, said it would be 'dead wrong' to refer the tobacco tax increase to the ballot. 'It's our job to make the decisions,' he said. 'I think we do a disservice here by referring it to voters.'"
Word.
Meanwhile, the House Democratic leadership is also moving a referral. Theirs would require a super-majority vote, which needs they need five Republicans. Given that Healthy Kids is a top prority for Democrats, it's clear that I've got a lot of work ahead of me.
I'm just beside myself. This means the horse is out of the barn and makes it more likely that the tobacco tax will be raised. In fact, it nearly guarantees it.
Republican leader Wayne Scott is holding firm, though. Here's what he told the Oregonian newspaper:
"House Minority Leader Wayne Scott, R-Canby, said it would be 'dead wrong' to refer the tobacco tax increase to the ballot. 'It's our job to make the decisions,' he said. 'I think we do a disservice here by referring it to voters.'"
Word.
Meanwhile, the House Democratic leadership is also moving a referral. Theirs would require a super-majority vote, which needs they need five Republicans. Given that Healthy Kids is a top prority for Democrats, it's clear that I've got a lot of work ahead of me.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Go Mark!
Here comes Mark Nelson representing R. J. Reynolds and 7-11. My Man!
Mark starts with providing the Oregon smoker profile from the Center for Disease Control. He says that almost 62 percent of Oregonians who smoke earn under $35,000. Only 8% of Oregon smokers earn more than $75,000.
He tries to make the point that smokers would be subsidizing the health care costs.
Um…okay.
I've got to be honest here. Mark told me he was going to make this argument, and I guess it's okay, but frankly I don't think it's our best talking point. We already know that increasing the cost of cigarettes will lower smoking rates. So wouldn't a higher cigarette tax have a greater effect on lower income smokers and make them more likely to quit?
Mark, buddy, I was hoping you'd come up with something better.
Friends, I have to sign off now and will pick up reporting on the hearing a little later this evening.
Mark starts with providing the Oregon smoker profile from the Center for Disease Control. He says that almost 62 percent of Oregonians who smoke earn under $35,000. Only 8% of Oregon smokers earn more than $75,000.
He tries to make the point that smokers would be subsidizing the health care costs.
Um…okay.
I've got to be honest here. Mark told me he was going to make this argument, and I guess it's okay, but frankly I don't think it's our best talking point. We already know that increasing the cost of cigarettes will lower smoking rates. So wouldn't a higher cigarette tax have a greater effect on lower income smokers and make them more likely to quit?
Mark, buddy, I was hoping you'd come up with something better.
Friends, I have to sign off now and will pick up reporting on the hearing a little later this evening.
Here we go - this tired old song
Again I say, consider the source. Senator / Doctor Alan Bates from Ashland is testifying in favor of the smoking cessation provisions of the Senate Plan.
"If there is one thing we can ddo to lower costs in health care and to save lives, it's to get people to quit smoking. You can forget about diet or obesity or any of those other things - the number one cause of death in America is smoking."
Yadda, yadda, yadda, blah, blah, blah. Heard it all before.
But then he explains why me and my Republican friends are fighting so feircely against this legislation:
"We know that raising the cost of cigarettes makes young people less likely to actually start in the first place. The other thing we can do is implement plans to help people stop smoking."
Friends, that's in in a nutshell. That's why this bill matters.
"If there is one thing we can ddo to lower costs in health care and to save lives, it's to get people to quit smoking. You can forget about diet or obesity or any of those other things - the number one cause of death in America is smoking."
Yadda, yadda, yadda, blah, blah, blah. Heard it all before.
But then he explains why me and my Republican friends are fighting so feircely against this legislation:
"We know that raising the cost of cigarettes makes young people less likely to actually start in the first place. The other thing we can do is implement plans to help people stop smoking."
Friends, that's in in a nutshell. That's why this bill matters.
Courage, Smourage
Now up: Sen. Margaret Carter.
She points out that under the Senate Plan, not only will Oregon's uninsured children be covered, but 10,000 people who had been cut from the Oregon Health Plan will have benefits restored.
She also brings up the old riff that Oregonians support increasing the tobacco tax.
"Why do we still ponder it? Why are we so politically afraid? Why are we without courage? I have to ask that today."
Boy, she's got a nerve and that's a grossly unfair characterization of what's going on in Salem. Personally, I think my Republican friends are showing an amazing amount of political courage by standing with me in the face of overwhelming public support for the Healthy Kids Plan.
And I love them for it.
She points out that under the Senate Plan, not only will Oregon's uninsured children be covered, but 10,000 people who had been cut from the Oregon Health Plan will have benefits restored.
She also brings up the old riff that Oregonians support increasing the tobacco tax.
"Why do we still ponder it? Why are we so politically afraid? Why are we without courage? I have to ask that today."
Boy, she's got a nerve and that's a grossly unfair characterization of what's going on in Salem. Personally, I think my Republican friends are showing an amazing amount of political courage by standing with me in the face of overwhelming public support for the Healthy Kids Plan.
And I love them for it.
Consider the source
Sen. Laurie Monnes Anderson is speaking. She's a public health nurse from Gresham. She says,
"We need healthy kids legislation and shame on us if we don't do something. We're sending a clear message that the Oregon legislature will make sure that Oregon children have access to affordable health care."
Okay fine. That's easy for her to say because she's got a skewed look on the issue. All she thinks about are the health consequences of children who don't have healthy care, of what happens when people are kicked off the Oregon Health Plan, and the costs to people and society from smoking.
Fine. But once again, I have to ask...what about me?
"We need healthy kids legislation and shame on us if we don't do something. We're sending a clear message that the Oregon legislature will make sure that Oregon children have access to affordable health care."
Okay fine. That's easy for her to say because she's got a skewed look on the issue. All she thinks about are the health consequences of children who don't have healthy care, of what happens when people are kicked off the Oregon Health Plan, and the costs to people and society from smoking.
Fine. But once again, I have to ask...what about me?
Gulp
Hello!
Sen. Kate Brown is giving background on the constitutional amendment that is being heard today. Here's the gist of what she said:
As know the healthy kids plan is a priority for the house and senate and the governor. Well, the majority leadership, not necessarily the Republican leadership. That's right, sister! The Republicans are holding firm.
Brown goes on to say "Our colleagues in the house are working very hard to get the supermajority necessary to pass a statutory referral or the statutory legislation straight up if they can get the votes. We hope and we think we can get there but if we don't we need to be ready with another option and that's what we have before us today."
Frankly, I'm getting increasingly worried.
Sen. Ferrioli jumps in and says, in essence, that Republicans DO support Healthy Kids but they don't support raising the tobacco tax. It's as if he's reading my mind. He says that there is plenty of money. Excellent. As long as no one actually reads the budget, that's a great talking point.
Sen. Kate Brown is giving background on the constitutional amendment that is being heard today. Here's the gist of what she said:
As know the healthy kids plan is a priority for the house and senate and the governor. Well, the majority leadership, not necessarily the Republican leadership. That's right, sister! The Republicans are holding firm.
Brown goes on to say "Our colleagues in the house are working very hard to get the supermajority necessary to pass a statutory referral or the statutory legislation straight up if they can get the votes. We hope and we think we can get there but if we don't we need to be ready with another option and that's what we have before us today."
Frankly, I'm getting increasingly worried.
Sen. Ferrioli jumps in and says, in essence, that Republicans DO support Healthy Kids but they don't support raising the tobacco tax. It's as if he's reading my mind. He says that there is plenty of money. Excellent. As long as no one actually reads the budget, that's a great talking point.
Hearing is about to begin
Hello!
I've decided to keep a low profile today so am watching the Senate hearing on the Healthy Kids referral on my computer. People are starting to file into the room. I see my good friend Jim Gardner (lobbyist for Philip Morris). He seems jumpy and before the hearing approaches the committee and has a little chat with Rep. Ted Ferrioli.
Oh, things are getting started. Chair Kate Brown says she wants to get the hearing done in an hour, hour and 15 minutes.
I'm so nervous!
I've decided to keep a low profile today so am watching the Senate hearing on the Healthy Kids referral on my computer. People are starting to file into the room. I see my good friend Jim Gardner (lobbyist for Philip Morris). He seems jumpy and before the hearing approaches the committee and has a little chat with Rep. Ted Ferrioli.
Oh, things are getting started. Chair Kate Brown says she wants to get the hearing done in an hour, hour and 15 minutes.
I'm so nervous!
Healthy Kids rears ugly head again
Hello!
I hope you all enjoyed your Memorial Day weekend! I know I did – since I like anything that smokes, BBQ-ing is a particular pleasure for me.
But maybe I should have been paying closer attention to Salem. I thought things were under control in Oregon – I thought we'd killed the Healthy Kids Plan last month when my Republican allies in the House voted down the bill.
But the plan to cover Oregon's 117,000 uninsured children by increasing the tax on me is apparently more alive and well than the Marlboro Man.
Today, in about an hour, the Oregon Senate will begin debate on a plan to send the Healthy Kids bill to a vote of the public! That's very bad news for me. I'll be watching this hearing closely. Keep checking back for live updates. Meanwhile, here's more on today's hearing.
I hope you all enjoyed your Memorial Day weekend! I know I did – since I like anything that smokes, BBQ-ing is a particular pleasure for me.
But maybe I should have been paying closer attention to Salem. I thought things were under control in Oregon – I thought we'd killed the Healthy Kids Plan last month when my Republican allies in the House voted down the bill.
But the plan to cover Oregon's 117,000 uninsured children by increasing the tax on me is apparently more alive and well than the Marlboro Man.
Today, in about an hour, the Oregon Senate will begin debate on a plan to send the Healthy Kids bill to a vote of the public! That's very bad news for me. I'll be watching this hearing closely. Keep checking back for live updates. Meanwhile, here's more on today's hearing.
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Step away from your computer
Hello!
Friends, the only thing I hate more than cheap political stunts are cheap political stunts that make voters aware of what's happening in Salem. Because once the citizens get involved, I'm done for.
That's why I'm particularly disturbed by this "Action Alert" from the "Healthy Kids Coalition," which urges voters to "contact their lawmaker" and "get involved."
Look at this.
There's even a list of names of the lawmakers who voted with me against the Healthy Kids Plan.
I can only hope no one notices.
Friends, the only thing I hate more than cheap political stunts are cheap political stunts that make voters aware of what's happening in Salem. Because once the citizens get involved, I'm done for.
That's why I'm particularly disturbed by this "Action Alert" from the "Healthy Kids Coalition," which urges voters to "contact their lawmaker" and "get involved."
Look at this.
There's even a list of names of the lawmakers who voted with me against the Healthy Kids Plan.
I can only hope no one notices.
I would prefer not to
Hello!
We're getting a very good response to the video and I want to thank you all for your kind words of support. You've been a comfort to me.
As you saw in the footage, I had reason to be worried on the day of the Healthy Kids Plan Vote. It is wildly popular with the majority of Oregon voters (who are apparently soft-headed reactionaries who care more about health care for children than the tobacco tax's impact on me.) On Vote Day, there were hundreds of people at the capitol that day who had traveled from across the state to Salem. They were ready to cheer if the Healthy Kids Plan passed. It was a PR disaster just waiting to happen.
And once lawmakers start listening to their own conscience or to their constituents, I've lost them.
Thank goodness for my friends in the House Republicans and their work slowdown program! Rep. John Lim's "Bartleby" stunt was a huge success – he got all the attention that day while the folks who had traveled for hours to talk to their lawmakers and watch the vote faded into the background.
And as a side note, I was happy to see Rep. Tom Butler finally getting some use out of that Tempur-pedic pillow I gave him for Christmas. Some people were shocked that he could actually fall sleep curled up on the floor of the Oregon House of Representatives while voters were watching from the gallery, but I wasn't. As I told Tom over eggnog and Malboros, you can sleep ANYWHERE on that pillow.
I was just happy to help.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Mr. Butts' Big Day
Hello!
I'm very excited today because my movie is finished and ready for viewing. I've been working with a film crew who trailed me around the capitol last Thursday on the day of the vote on the Healthy Kids Plan. I've heard people say that politics is like sausage - you don't want to watch it being made. But I disagree. For people like me, politics is both fun and profitable.
Last Thursday was such a special day for me and I'm just thrilled that the cameras were there to catch the action and I'm just delighted to share it with my friends in Blog-land.
I'm very excited today because my movie is finished and ready for viewing. I've been working with a film crew who trailed me around the capitol last Thursday on the day of the vote on the Healthy Kids Plan. I've heard people say that politics is like sausage - you don't want to watch it being made. But I disagree. For people like me, politics is both fun and profitable.
Last Thursday was such a special day for me and I'm just thrilled that the cameras were there to catch the action and I'm just delighted to share it with my friends in Blog-land.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Killing the Healthy Kids Plan
Hello!
As you can tell by the name of this blog, my name is Mr. Butts, and I am working in Oregon to make sure the Healthy Kids Plan - which would make health care coverage possible for Oregon's uninsured children - does not pass the Oregon House of Representatives.
It's my job to make sure the Republican leadership holds firm and does not buckle on any future versions of the bill that may come up. Frankly, it hasn't been a tough sell. I have many friends here in Oregon. I don't like to brag, but minority leader Wayne Scott and I are closer than Paris and Nicole. In politics, as in life, it's all about relationships, and in the 2006 election I gave Rep. Scott 49,000 reasons to relate to me.
Also helpful have been the boys over at FreedomWorks/Citizens for a Sound Economy who have a surprising amount of influence in this state, possibly because the local Executive Director is the vice-chair of the Republican Party, Russ Walker. I've got to say that back in the day when the execs at Tobacco HQ came up with the brainstorm to set up phony grassroots groups to make it seem as if local voters opposed cigarette tax increases, I thought people would see right through it.
And after the truth leaked out, I was sure Freedomworks/Citizens for a Sound Economy would lose all credibility. But lucky for me, not in Oregon!
And of course, we can't forget our very good friend Kevin Mannix, who was Freedomwork's highest paid consultant in 2005, raking in more than $200,000. It's great to know he's got our back.
As you can tell by the name of this blog, my name is Mr. Butts, and I am working in Oregon to make sure the Healthy Kids Plan - which would make health care coverage possible for Oregon's uninsured children - does not pass the Oregon House of Representatives.
It's my job to make sure the Republican leadership holds firm and does not buckle on any future versions of the bill that may come up. Frankly, it hasn't been a tough sell. I have many friends here in Oregon. I don't like to brag, but minority leader Wayne Scott and I are closer than Paris and Nicole. In politics, as in life, it's all about relationships, and in the 2006 election I gave Rep. Scott 49,000 reasons to relate to me.
Also helpful have been the boys over at FreedomWorks/Citizens for a Sound Economy who have a surprising amount of influence in this state, possibly because the local Executive Director is the vice-chair of the Republican Party, Russ Walker. I've got to say that back in the day when the execs at Tobacco HQ came up with the brainstorm to set up phony grassroots groups to make it seem as if local voters opposed cigarette tax increases, I thought people would see right through it.
And after the truth leaked out, I was sure Freedomworks/Citizens for a Sound Economy would lose all credibility. But lucky for me, not in Oregon!
And of course, we can't forget our very good friend Kevin Mannix, who was Freedomwork's highest paid consultant in 2005, raking in more than $200,000. It's great to know he's got our back.
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