Dingfelder got delayed on her way to the microphone and I can hear voices in the back of the room. When she sits down, Rep. Dingfelder says,

"I just want to made it known for the record I was accosted by a lobbyist on the way to the podium,"

The lobbyist was Mike Dewey, who is one of the industry lobbyists.

Dingfelder's comment got a laugh from the crowd – and that's clearly what she intended, but she also used humor to make an important point – the industry lobbyists are doing a full-court press to protect their profits.

Dingfelder points out that her district in Portland has seen an explosion of payday and car title loan shops in her district. She also describes why HB 2871 is necessary, and you'll hear it from other people as well – the lenders are simply evading the cap by remaking themselves in whatever incarnation allows them to continue charging 500 percent interest.

"HB 2871 is quite simply, a protection against usury," she said.

Next up: Speaker Merkley.