Porn Tax Considered As Solution To Budget Shortfall

Four Points ^ | 5-23-08 | Doug G. Ware

[kingattax]

LOS ANGELES - California state lawmakers are considering an unusual idea to solve the state's huge budget shortfall: Tax pornography.

The idea was proposed by a state assemblyman, and would impose a 25 percent tax on the production and sales of pornographic videos -- the vast majority of which are made in southern California.

It is unknown, however, how seriously lawmakers will take the idea or how the porn business would deal with the new tax. It is likely, though, that porm-makers would simply pass the cost along to consumers by making pornographic materials more expensive.

However, many economists believe that pornography is an industry with inelastic demand -- meaning market conditions typically don't affect consumers' desire for the product. In other words, it is believed that most porn consumers would continue to buy regardless of how much it cost.

A potential economic downside to the tax proposal is that porn producers could leave California to manufacture and distribute videos in other states that don't impose the tax

[Question Liberal Authority]

It is unknown, however, how seriously lawmakers will take the idea or how the porn business would deal with the new tax.

That's just what we need. All of our porn jobs to go overseas. The last profitable American industry and they tax it to death.

What about a 25% tax on Hollywood films? They'll make a fortune.

[goldstategop]

Why stop with porn? Impose a 25% across the board tax increase in California. After all, that's what they really want.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[2ndDivisionVet]

What’s to stop the pornographers from moving to Dallas, Des Moines, Denver or Duluth? Are these socialist legislators morons? Are they really trying to drive EVERY industry out of California?

[P.O.E.]

Gives “from my cold, dead hands” a whole new meaning.

[DakotaRed]

I’ve always said that if Democrats got the chance, they’d tax your a@@.

[purpleraine]

$12 bill a year in services to illegals and no ideas how to cut the budget.

[Ratblaster]

Nice to see that when the Dems see a problem, they can find a solution in hand. Which reminds me that the ultimate form of rejection is when your hand falls asleep when you're... Oh never mind.

[Enchante]

I would think this “industry” can high-tail it to Nevada or lots of other places pretty quick. I doubt they have much infrastructure — it’s not like their stuff can’t be filmed just about anywhere. Canada likes to subsidize film production - maybe they’ll offer some special tax incentives for pornographers to film around the streets of Vancouver...... or in the snows of the Canadian Rockies!

[calcowgirl]

Are these socialist legislators morons? Are they really trying to drive EVERY industry out of California?

Yes and Yes.

[Enchante]

"I’ve always said that if Democrats got the chance, they’d tax your a@@."

California should tax all sexual activity. This is the ultimate dream activity for govt. bureaucrats. Fixed fee taxes per act - set the scale based upon govt. bureaucrats estimating the degree of pleasure and amount of time required on average for each act. An elaborate "Sex Tax Code" to specify all the detailed permutations of the various taxes. Group sex taxed extra. Masturbation taxed lightly so long as it is reported, but stiff penalties for under-reporting or tax evasion. A special corps of "Sex Inspectors" will be needed to enforce and collect on the new Sex Tax Code.

[Liberty 275]

all I can say to that is... yiff yiff!

[Beowulf9]

“Why stop with porn? Impose a 25% across the board tax increase in California. After all, that’s what they really want.”

Why don’t they just do a hold up on the citizens and take ALL their money? That’s what they REALLY want.

[The Duke]

Porn Tax Considered As Solution To Budget Shortfall

Uh oh - they're screwed!

[SES1066]

Somehow I can’t help but wondering what Bill Clinton’s great supporter, Larry Flynt of Hustler, is saying right now?

[martin_fierro]

They'll call it an XXX-cise Tax.

[R. Scott]

It is likely, though, that porn-makers would simply pass the cost along to consumers by making pornographic materials more expensive.

Just like any other business.

[Loyal Buckeye]

Ronald Reagan used to say (paraphrased):

If it's moving, Democrats want to tax it.

If it slows down, they want to regulate it.

If it stops moving, they want to subsidize it.

[nyyankeefan]

CA slut govt. trying to F the porn industry....and in the end (no pun intended) ~ of course the viewers eventually get screwed!!!

[wally_bert]

Through the vatican?

[Wolfie]

Pole Tax?