The Columbian April 15 editorial, “Wrong Solution: Removing sales tax exemption for Oregonians would hurt Clark County businesses,” is against removing the sales tax exemption for residents from out of state. Since the editorial staff works in downtown Vancouver, they most likely do see Oregonians who are in Vancouver on business, but as far as the rest of the “visitors” go, the editors are so wrong.
Many of the “Oregon” shoppers at Vancouver-area stores are not Oregonians, they are Washington residents who live and shop here. At the price of gas, does anyone actually believe that a Portland resident would drive all the way to Vancouver to shop? Battle Ground, north and east Vancouver, Camas and Washougal are hotbeds of imported Oregonians. They crowd state Highway 14 and I-5 morning and night. They shop for their groceries on the north side of the river in the evening? Oregonians? Just drive these routes at rush hours and find out just who lives where.
Vancouver merchants ought to question those “nonresidents” who ask for tax exemption. Make them prove they have a real Oregon address.
Marilyn Tyrrell
Washougal
