When it comes to panhandlers, it may be time to institute a Plan B. We know New Bedford City Councilors continue to explore ways to get them off the streets. Since their Plan A has yet to pan out except for the panhandlers, here's my Plan B.
 
1) Make all street peddlers for $$s get a permit for each day they hustle.
2) Tax panhandlers on their income.
3) The City's revenue department determines an estimated minimum daily tax to keep street peddlers from chiming they made only $1.
4) Street peddlers soliciting for a non-profit, charity, or school project, showing verifiable proof of their mission, shall pay no tax on donations collected.
5) Permit fees under Paragraph (4) may, at the City's discretion, later be donated to the non-profit, charity or school project.
6) Meter readers/police shall enforce the laws, rules and regulations pertaining to all Street peddlers.
 
First time offenders caught without their Permit receive a fine of not more than $75.
Second time offenders caught without their Permit receive a fine of not more than $125.
Third and any subsequent offense without their Permit shall result in a fine of $200, per offense, plus the loss of Street Peddling privileges for Six (6) months.
 
It's time to look at panhandling for what it really is, a viable way to make money. At $200/day, a Panhandler earns more than New Bedford's median household income! How does that make you feel?

More From WBSM-AM/AM 1420