Letters: Reform SC business-license law, but not Atwater’s way

Municipalities’ business-license ordinances vary, just like the different level of services provided by each municipality varies. Standardizing business-license application forms would greatly assist applicants as they provide services in many different counties.

State law requires all police to use a standard traffic summons form, no exceptions. This not only provides a standard method to capture data but creates a knowledge path for judges and police as they move from municipality to municipality.

But like all legislative endeavors, the devil is in the details, and if H.4967 by Rep. Todd Atwater passes, municipalities will find their revenue stream has been sucked dry by a state government agency.

H.4967 shifts the authority for rate setting, called “calculation of fees,” to the Department of Revenue. It allows the agency to retain up to 1 percent of revenues as an administrative fee. And as I read the bill, a business with a state income tax return address in Columbia can build houses, sell cars, operate a fast food business or sell other goods or services all over the state but will only be required to have a Columbia business license. Wake up, Greenville and Charleston! Your revenue stream just went to zero from any business with a home office in Columbia.

Unlike Rep. Atwater’s bill, H.5109 by Rep. Kenny Bingham provides real reform for business owners and protects the interests of all municipal governments. Thanks to Rep. Bingham for serving the interest of all parties.