Cincinnati eyeing panhandler taxes

CINCINNATI, July 16 (UPI) -- Panhandlers in Cincinnati could soon find themselves paying taxes on their earnings and being forced to register with the city, a councilman says.

Councilman Jeff Berding said he is creating a proposal that would require all panhandlers operating in Cincinnati to pay a registration fee and taxes in addition to carrying a standard sign for donations, The Cincinnati Enquirer reported Wednesday.

Berding said he suspects his proposal will succeed where previous attempts to regulate panhandling have failed since his approach tabs panhandling a commercial activity.

"This is how they make their money," he said. "They're no different than the people selling water and the people selling peanuts outside of Reds games."

At least one homeless Cincinnati resident was not a fan of Berding's proposal, which he plans on presenting to the city council on Aug. 5.

"Why kick a guy who's already been kicked?" John Connor, a 60-year-old panhandler, told the Enquirer.