I agree that strip clubs are being unfairly targeted for this tax (as if rape and sexual assault was nonexistent before strips clubs came along). But strip clubs aren’t the only ones negatively affected by “sin taxes”. In some states, casinos are forced to fund compulsive gambling programs. Some states make bars and alcohol retailers fund alcohol addiction programs. I think tobacco companies have to pay sin taxes too. And there have been attempts to place sin taxes on “junk food” companies. I personally think all sin taxes are BS.

You’re also correct that there’s no irrefutable evidence that the existence of strip clubs leads to higher rates of sexual assault, domestic violence, etc. You can’t even say there’s an ample amount of empirical evidence to support that. You can make the jump from casinos to gambling addiction or bars to drunk driving fatalities easier than strip clubs to sexual assault. Unfortunately, not many politicians will take a public pro-sex industry stance. It would be political suicide, especially in a religiously conservative state like Texas.

Noemi, they haven’t started distributing any of the money yet due to the lengthy court battles and appeals, so if you did receive some financial assistance in Texas it came from a different source.

I asked a couple owners of strip clubs in Portland Or; I asked if they had heard of this coming in to effect in Texas, they hadn’t, but scoffed at it and it’s intentions. I actually respect both of these men as business dudes and as men, so it was interesting to see their reactions.