The Texas Pole Tax

You've got to hand it to the Texas Legislature. Beginning in January, Texas will collect a tax on patrons at strip clubs - $5.00 per head for each visitor. According to estimates, the tax will bring in $40 million per year.

What makes this a brilliant move is that the Legislature claims that the tax will go to help rape victims. Now, who would vote against that? But, more importantly, who is going to insure that the money actually goes to help anyone in particular. One of the sponsors of the measure actually works for an organization that stands to get a piece of the tax pie (if indeed it is doled out as adverstised). More likely, I think most would agree, the tax money collected will simply disappear in a maze of collection expenses, administrative expenses, and small payouts. I figure its just another example of method of getting legislation passed -- earmark the money for an indisputable need; make the tax small; tax people who are not likely to protest too much.

Don't expect a big bump in funding for women's issues. It's just another way to make money for your government. Of course, don't be surprised when your own vice gets taxed one day.