Thread: OR-Oregon Senate puts illegal workers, bosses on notice

Oregon Senate puts illegal workers, bosses on notice
by Janie Har, The Oregonian
Monday June 29, 2009, 3:40 PM

SALEM -- Lawmakers are set to crack down on businesses that hire illegal workers, don't pay taxes, or otherwise make it harder for law-abiding employers to compete.

The Senate, in a marathon afternoon session on Monday, approved House Bill 2815, which requires the departments of justice, revenue, employment, and other agencies to work together to track businesses that pay employees in cash.

The bill when it was introduced would fund the operation by increasing licensing fees paid by businesses. The proposal, as voted on Monday, pays for the program by appropriating $750,000 from the general fund.

Sen. Floyd Prozanski, D-Eugene, said that investment should bring in an estimated $7 million this biennium in increased income, unemployment, and workers' compensation taxes.

The vote was 22 to 7. Sen. Larry George, R-Sherwood, voted against the bill, citing privacy concerns.

"This is a massive database bill and it makes me very nervous that we're giving the state ability to do that."

The bill heads to Gov. Ted Kulongoski for his signature.

-- Janie Har; janiehar@news.oregonian.com

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/inde ... l_wor.html

If Oregon has any doubts about the need for them to put into effect this bill, just visit California.

The Senate, in a marathon afternoon session on Monday, approved House Bill 2815, which requires the departments of justice, revenue, employment, and other agencies to work together to track businesses that pay employees in cash.

How are they going to track cash transactions? Customer pays the business in cash, business pays the employee in cash, how will they track that?

They should have passed e-verify instead.

Originally Posted by Bowman

How are they going to track cash transactions? Customer pays the business in cash, business pays the employee in cash, how will they track that?

Well at a construction site it would be easy enough, observe it for a few weeks then ask to see the books.

Originally Posted by Bowman

They should have passed e-verify instead.

Off the book operations wouldn't use it even if mandated. Both laws should be enacted.

Originally Posted by Ratbstard

Originally Posted by Bowman

How are they going to track cash transactions? Customer pays the business in cash, business pays the employee in cash, how will they track that?

Well at a construction site it would be easy enough, observe it for a few weeks then ask to see the books.

Oh I see what you are saying, physically see how many people are working and then see if they are all on the payroll. I suppose the govt. could walk into any business and see if all the workers currently there are on the payroll. Kind of like an immigration raid, except they probably would not arrest the workers.