Texas defends new $5-per-visitor strip club fee

Houston Chronicle/AP ^ | Dec. 18, 2007

[Bob J]

I just think it is funny how Texans come out of the woodwork to criticize others states idiocy..but head for the hills when their own state does something gooberish.

[VeniVidiVici]

Money for Sexual Assault Prevention programs? Sounds like somebody is getting some grease. I think the (Honorable) woman from Houston needs to fess-up.

[Nuc1]

"The clubs say the fee would amount to an unconstitutional tax on nude dancing, a form of expression protected by the First Amendment."

Not by any rational reading of the constitution, blacked robed tyrants be d@mned.

[JamesP81]

I don’t like how government zeros in on certain businesses as tax opportunities like this. Why should this business be saddled with a tax to pay for the uninsured or sex abuse victims?

Because certain businesses are easy to demonize. And, on some level, I can agree with the demonization. I don't like strip clubs and I don't go to them. But I don't see that it's the purview of the government to determine whether they should be allowed to operate or not. Such clubs don't infringe on anyone else's rights, so the government should keep their nose out of it. I can assure you that the government doesn't care at all whether people go to those clubs. They merely see another way to get their hands on other people's money. The dishonesty of it offends me; if they truly dislike such establishments they should go all the way and just outlaw them. But they won't do that, you see, because that would cost money, not make money.

[Rb ver. 2.0]

"I like your idea!"

[JamesP81]

If they are allowed to get away with this there is no limit to what can be taxed for some so called “good cause”.

CS Lewis once made a comment about a tyranny for our own good being the worst kind of tyranny.

[JamesP81]

A politition is lower than a street hooker.

Because a hooker is, after all, at least honest about what she's trying to do.

[Navy Patriot]

The clever gals would print “Taxation without Representation is tyranny” on their bare backside to assure freedom of political speech.

[JamesP81]

It seems states in the Southeast trend towards large and intrusive government even though they are “Red States.”

I live in Kentucky; the effect is caused by what we around here call 'Yellow Dog Democrats'. These are mostly older folks who still have this insane notion that the modern dem party is essentially the same as the dem party of FDR. Not that FDR was that great as he was still all into big government. The 'compassionate conservative', big government republicans are the result of these types of democrats leaving the dem party because of the dem's abandonment of traditional values.

[Diplomat]

If you do not support sin taxes, you are likely NOT a social conservative. As far as I am concerned, this tax should be $50/person.

There is NOTHING in the U.S. Constitution (I have no idea about the Texas state constituion) that prevents the state of Texas from selectively taxing (regulating) different businesses as they see fit.

If you think these businesses are so great, how about you raise your kids or your grandkids in the neighborhoods that have these? This places are breeding grounds for all types of other crime.

I grew up in North Hollywood/Van Nuys California, and I’ve seen first hand all the trouble these places bring. I couldn’t leave the valley fast enough when I became an adult and could afford to move out.

[snoringbear]

“Strange for a state that is so pro-gun, and rightly so”

Well, as a NBT (native born Texan)I am not particularly surprised. Being that Texas and Texans are mostly conservative evangelicals (including me, I am Southern Baptist)they have long been known to “vote dry and drink wet” - meaning that we have a little hypocrisy within us for sure. Anyway, the people who will be hurt are the strippers as this $5 will come out of the tuckings that would have otherwise been inserted under their g-strings. But hey, how's that go, "we're with the government and we're here to help you", right...

[Joe Bfstplk]

I don’t like how government zeros in on certain businesses as tax opportunities like this. Why should this business be saddled with a tax to pay for the uninsured or sex abuse victims? I hope the clubs prevail.

Grocery stores could be next.

[A_Tradition_Continues]

Tit for TAT (T!T & A$$ TAX)

[StolarStorm]

huh!!??? This Texan thinks this law is pathetic. I’m tired of these goody two shoe laws that infringe on our freedoms.

[StolarStorm]

Strict social conservatives are the downfall of the Republican party and perhaps the country. If we would have stuck with fiscal responsibility as our primary plank, we could still have saved this country a few years back. It may be too late now... but lets just keep focusing on silly things like strippers, porn and pot.

I guess even after our economy collapses and our enemies are at the gates, we can take pride that we eradicated those evil dastardly SINS!!! ... I wonder if our Chinese masters will let us have porn.

[Kitanis]

Funny.. back when I lived in San Antonio back in the late 80’s.. I use to go to several strip clubs that charged $5.00 Cover and and a mandatory two drink min.

So now the state adds $5.00 tax.. guess I would have stopped going there..

Wait.. why don’t we charge $5.00 per Internet connection due to Internet porn? .. oh crap.. I do not want to give any government some bright idea.....

[Froufrou]

;o)

No flies on you!

[Chode]

if every time somebody paid the tax but then destroyed $5.00 worth of state property it'd be a wash...

[JamesP81]

if every time somebody paid the tax but then destroyed $5.00 worth of state property it'd be a wash...

It would be impossible to stay under the $5 limit. Even the toilet seats cost 30 grand...

[Chode]

i heard that...