West Virginia, Not Open For Business

I went out the other afternoon to get my hair cut and ended up with an education on how difficult it is for a typical small business to operate in West Virginia.

I overheard a conversation about the licensing necessary to simply own a hair salon. Apparently the owner needs three separate licenses which require three separate fees and are due at three separate times. At one point, the state licensing bureaucracy, like the Division of Motor Vehicles, sent out a courtesy notice when the licenses were due to expire. This stopped under the Manchin Administration. New regulations were passed under Manchin's governorship that required yearly education credits and observance of additional regulations. All this to cut hair!

I suggested that a small business owner might be in better shape if they simply took their equipment to their basement and cut hair under the table for cash or barter. As a matter of fact, I used to know a local woman who did just that, but who has since moved out of state. The establishment owner insisted that following the law is always the right thing to do and it is always worth it to remain in compliance. And this is true.

The reality is that state, federal, and local government are always looking to add new taxes and regulations to burden business. During the conversation, I learned that Maryland has more rules than West Virginia, but they are sporadically enforced. West Virginia enforces its rules equally on all, so they do get credit for observing the concept of rule of law.

Ever increasing taxation and regulation will force a lot of formerly legitimate small business into the black market. They will work for cash or some other exchange and be more profitable, more efficient, and less burdened. Maybe it is not right or fair, but it will happen. We need all levels of government to make compliance more simple, not more difficult. Why do hair stylists and barbers need three separate licenses? Consolidate into one license. This is easier on the business. It is also easier on the taxpayer who now has to pay three bureaucracies to process three licenses.

We need business to be simple and easy. We want owners worrying about profits, not fines. Republicans need to make this a priority when they finally win state office.