AAS 2/11/09'Pole tax' back in Texas appeals courtAUSTIN, Texas — Lawyers for the state and Texas strip clubs clashed again Wednesday as an appeals court considers whether to uphold the so-called 'pole tax,' a $5 fee on admissions that a judge ruled an unconstitutional tax on free speech.
Passed by the Legislature in 2007, the fee was projected to raise about $44 million for sexual assault prevention programs and health care for the uninsured.
The state comptroller's office has continued to collect the fee, $11.2 million so far, and has set that money aside while the issue works its way through the courts.
In March 2008, a state district judge found that the fee was an illegal tax on expression — nude dancing — that, while politically unpopular, is protected by the First Amendment.
And I thought "titty tax" pretty much covered it, but "pole tax" - that gives it a fighting for civil rights spin. They're obviously paying for some good P/R.
:popcorn:
Sonia