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Licensing changes can aid in immigration crackdown

By Kay Rogers



It’s the dream of many in this country to own and operate their own business. And it is small business that drives America’s economic engine. While no one wants to squelch the creation of new jobs, it is vitally important that those involved in retail sales are properly licensed by the state of Ohio and operating under the law.

One of the statutory duties of the auditor is to register companies selling taxable goods or services and therefore assist the state with the collection of sales taxes. In an effort to step up our vendor-licensing efforts in the county, the auditor’s office hired an investigator to ensure that businesses are in compliance. And it’s my pleasure to announce that tangible results are being realized. Numerous noncomplying businesses are being identified and registered as vendors. More vendors complying means more sales taxes collected, benefiting Butler County and the state of Ohio.

While not yet part of the procedure for issuing vendor’s licenses, I would like to see the Ohio tax commissioner require vendors to sign a “declaration of compliance” that they do not, and will not, hire any illegal aliens.

Earlier this year, our office mailed to county vendors a copy of the federal statute that deals with the penalties for hiring illegal aliens. While we have asked that each vendor sign a declaration that they will not hire illegals, as of now, we cannot require them to sign it.

We also have advised vendors that they will not be prohibited from obtaining a vendor’s license for failing to sign the form, but we are working on trying to change the law.

I would like for auditors across the state to be able to report any violations or vendors not willing to sign such a declaration to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

But the “declaration of compliance” effort is just one aspect of the entire vendor licensing function. No one should be able to operate a business in Butler County if they are not in the U.S. legally. Operating on that fundamental principle, I am taking steps to get an administrative rule change or legislation to allow county auditors to require two forms of identification before a vendor’s license is issued.

Our own online survey shows that 89 percent of respondents (more than 3,000) believe county auditors should require proof of legal citizenship or residence in the U.S. before processing a vendor’s license.

My initiatives in tracking down noncompliant vendors and attempting to require positive identification of legal U.S. residency are unprecedented in Ohio. Imagine the effect on sales taxes statewide if all counties were more proactive.

But our efforts are not about punishing those here illegally. Rather, they are about following the rules. If we can incorporate these tougher measures, it gives us more ways to help keep everyone honest and promote fundamental fairness.

What it comes right down to is this: Without a vendor’s license, a retailer is not paying taxes. That is not fair to all the law-abiding businesses that are operating throughout the county and it’s not fair to our residents.

The state has set the license fee at $25 and that license is good until the business is sold or moves to a new location. In the event that a business moves within the county, the license needs to be transferred to the new location and our office can handle that request — at no charge. Once the tax commission has authorized the transfer of the vendor’s license, we will send the updated license to the owner’s new place of business.

There are other situations for a vendor to consider, as well, regarding proper licensure. Check with the auditor’s office if an ownership change occurs.

I promise to expend resources to find those who are operating without a vendor’s license — in violation of state law — and diligently remind them of their obligation. Those who do not take our warnings seriously will be turned over to the state tax commission. What happens at that point, unfortunately, is out of our control.

I also will continue to press ahead on efforts to strengthen the requirements for approval of a vendor’s license to slow the tide of illegals into Butler County. Those who would seek to profit from illegal immigrant labor are doing no one any favors.

Kay Rogers is auditor of Butler County and is running for her fourth term in office in the November election. To inquire about a vendor’s license, call the auditor’s office at (513) 887-3138.