Are they paying their fair share?

Construction workers calling themselves “independent contractors” are actually working illegally. They should get employee benefits, but instead get paid under the table. They pay no taxes. They get no insurance. And unscrupulous contractors pocket tax and insurance dollars that should be paid on the employee’s behalf. What is it costing us? Look around...

• Massachusetts: $150 million is lost annually in uncollected state income because of workers getting paid under the table
• New Jersey: $15 million in unemployment taxes goes uncollected annually... from just 2 percent of employers
• California: $7 billion in overall taxes are not reported or collected each year What’s Ohio losing to this underground economy? Add it up...
• Millions in lost revenue to the state, county, and local tax base,
• Millions in workers compensation payments
• Millions in medical and social service expenses. This underground workforce has no workers compensation or other insurance. When these workers need help, guess who pays? (Hint — look in the mirror)
• Millions in school taxes: That cheating contractor’s kid sits next to your child in school, but you’re footing the bill.

It’s not about union vs. nonunion. It’s not about democrats vs. republicans. It’s about Ohio’s economy. We all have the moral responsibility to stop the practice of undocumented workers. Support Ohio. Put your labor on the payroll.