Slog - Comments on That Horrible Bill... http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/that_horrible_bill ... I was watching earlier this week—the one that would allow H&R Block to expand their Refund Anticipation Loan business by farming out the controversial (high-interest) service to 7-Elevens, Wal-Marts, and payday-loan outlets—is reportedly stalling. The bill's very own sponsor—Representative Sharon Tomiko Santos (D-37, South Seattle)—actually used this week's hearing on the bill to get more clarity from the actual sponsor, H&R Block, by asking their lobbyist some tough questions in public. Most of all, she said the bill seemed to contradict H&R Block's commitment to personable service. Basically, she wanted to know how moving this piece of their business... Copyright 2008 Fri, 01 Feb 2008 14:44:28 -0800 Fri, 01 Feb 2008 18:57:54 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by Dougsf How is this bill in the best interest of ANYONE (besides the obvious)? Just go to the library if you have tax questions. If your taxes are too complex for that, you can probably afford a specialist. Shit, some IRS offices want to help you.

What we don't need is to expand the unscrupulous industries that prey on the bottom income earners.

]]> Dougsf http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/that_horrible_bill#c919857 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/that_horrible_bill#c919857 Politics Fri, 01 Feb 2008 15:37:40 -0800 Comment by Fnarf Is Santos on crack? Seriously. If I want to start a business that takes $50 out of everyone in the state's bank account for no reason, can I just go ask a legislator to set it all up for me?

]]> Fnarf http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/that_horrible_bill#c920107 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/that_horrible_bill#c920107 Politics Fri, 01 Feb 2008 17:06:57 -0800 Comment by Dougsf Oddly enough, just today someone I know found their stolen paycheck (get direct deposit, I know, but anyway...) had been cashed at a Checks Cashed branch. The second time I've know someone that this has happened to.

Those places suck.

]]> Dougsf http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/that_horrible_bill#c920267 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/that_horrible_bill#c920267 Politics Fri, 01 Feb 2008 18:36:02 -0800 Comment by Bauhaus After the Revolution we should torch all H & R Blocks and payday loan places and pay those employees to do something better with their lives - like teaching literacy and reading to children and the elderly.

]]> Bauhaus http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/that_horrible_bill#c920277 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/that_horrible_bill#c920277 Politics Fri, 01 Feb 2008 18:46:29 -0800 Comment by ahava Who is the H&R Block lobbyist? And why didn't Sharon Tomiko Santos read the bill or at least have staff read it before she signed on? Sloppy, and more than a little infuriating.

]]> ahava http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/that_horrible_bill#c920292 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/that_horrible_bill#c920292 Politics Fri, 01 Feb 2008 18:57:54 -0800