Posted
5/21/2007 05:36:00 PM
by Douglas
Not that the money is the only aspect to consider with Houston's latest crack-down on strip clubs, but
$6 Million?!? Are you freakin' kidding me? Have the puritanical reactionaries that think men are going to stop wanting to look at women's boobs if Sugar isn't twisting her ass on stage offered up any kind of compensatory solution to the loss in tax base? I think not.
During the 10 years the city has fought in court for tougher rules regulating Houston's strip clubs, it has also accepted at least $6 million of their money.
That's the city's cut from nearly half a billion dollars in beer, wine and liquor sales inside the dozens of topless clubs that have operated since 1997, according to state tax records examined by the Houston Chronicle.
That was the year the City Council adopted a strict new ordinance regulating the clubs and other places defined as sexually oriented businesses. Among many new rules, the law prohibits them from operating near schools, churches, parks and one another.
$500 Million dollars generated in a voluntary, consensual, yet heavily regulated business in Houston alone. The mind set behind this law is just mind numbing. Houston, you want to see prostitution numbers soar? Shut down the tittie bars.
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