Once again Washington State representatives are attempting to throw Southwest Washington businesses under the bus. HB 2038 would eliminate the sales-tax exemption for Oregon buyers. The businesses adjacent to Oregon could lose 20 percent of their business or more if this bill, which passed the House, is approved in the Senate.
Our family would find alternatives to shopping in Washington for other than food, medicines, and medical care. Our personal and business needs can easily be met shopping on this side of the river. We have alternatives and paying additional and unwarranted taxes is not one of them. With the Internet purchases, we often find more competitive prices and the items are delivered to our door conveniently and quickly.
This bill, if passed, will likely put some people out of work as business declines and may cause some businesses to struggle or fail. No one should suggest this is good public policy.
Why attempt to fix something that is not broken?
The advantages to Southwest Washington businesses and Oregon residents are obvious.
Paul Nys
RAINIER, ORE.
