Beginning January 1, walking into a strip club in Texas will cost an extra five bucks. The state believes the tax will get them an extra $40 million per year. The proceeds will go toward helping rape victims.
“This is an industry that largely employs women, and this gives them an opportunity to raise funds for a crime that affects women,” said state Rep. Ellen Cohen, a Houston Democrat who sponsored the bill, approved by the Legislature in May.”I’ve been told the fees to get into these places can be $10, $15. I don’t think another $5 is going to prevent someone from going,” said Cohen, who is also president of a women’s center that could get funding from the new law.
“I’ve been told?” Nice. She is right though that an extra $5 isn’t going to stop anyone. It’s the principle. Taxing unappealing speech can create serious unintended problems. If only strip clubs had a lobby like the NRA.