In a stunt to gain publicity, House Speaker Jeff Merkley toasted the closing of payday loan stores in Oregon.  

As seen in other states where payday lenders have been forced to close their doors, Oregonians will now spend more money bouncing checks, using overdraft protection, and paying bills late. 

Congrats Speaker Merkley.  While you are toasting the closing of legal, regulated, tax-paying Oregon business, hard-working Oregonians are left without a credit option and forced to choose between other, more costly short-term credit options they had previously tried to avoid. 

Speaker Merkley, while you’ve eliminated a credit option, the need is still there.  You’ll have to answer to the consumers whose credit choices you’ve limited and the employees whose jobs you’ve taken away.