December 22, 2007

Texas Imposes "Pole Tax" on Strip Club Patrons

Texas, where strip clubs have given rise to Anna Nicole Smith and many other less-generously endowed performers, is about to make it more expensive to watch a little bump and grind. In what some have dubbed the "pole tax," the Lone Star State will require its 150 or so strip clubs to collect a $5-per-customer levy, with most of the proceeds going to help rape victims. The tax goes into effect on New Year's Day.

Club owners and some of their customers say the money is going to a noble cause, but they argue that the tax infringes on their First Amendment right to freedom of expression, that it will drive some bars out of business and that it unfairly links their industry to sex crimes. ...

Having "most" of the tax proceeds go to rape victims is a low blow. I mean, who would go against that idea. The bottom line though is that strip clubs are frowned upon by some (apparently not by at least 8 million people in Texas) and they will try anything to get rid of them.

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