Anyone have any thoughts on this?

For Immediate Release: 1/4/08

 

 

Orie Calls for Study of Tax on Adult-Oriented Businesses

 

           

            Senator Jane Orie (R-Allegheny) has announced that she will introduce a resolution in the state Senate to study whether it would be beneficial for the state to tax certain adult-oriented businesses.

 

            Orie said, that studies conducted around the country provide compelling evidence that adult-oriented businesses have an adverse effect on crime rates and property values.

 

            “I believe there are clearly adverse effects of adult businesses on the communities in which they are located,” Orie said.  “Many states and communities are exploring taxes on these establishments to offset these negative impacts.” 

 

            For example, in 2004, Utah imposed a 10 percent tax on admissions, sales, food and drinks at a sexually oriented business as well as a tax on escort services equal to 10 percent of the amount charged.  More recently, Texas passed a statute providing for a $5 admissions fee to enter adult-oriented facilities to provide revenue for sexual assault prevention and response programs.

 

            Orie’s legislation would call for a study to be conducted by the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LB&FC).  Under the Resolution, the LB&FC will be charged with reviewing studies regarding the secondary effects of sexually-oriented businesses, as well as the actions taken to address those effects, in Pennsylvania and other states. 

 

            Further, LB&FC will be charged with advising the General Assembly on both the feasibility and the fiscal impact of placing an excise on such businesses at either the local or state levels and the entities that could or should benefit from the revenues raised by such an excise.

 

            “If these establishments in fact have an impact on crime, property taxes and economic development, then we should look at ways we can generate revenue to mitigate those effects,” Orie said. “This resolution would provide us with the information we need to make decisions about a potential excise tax.”

 

 

CONTACT: LEE DERR (717) 787-6538

 

         

 

 

 

 

Terri Hamrick Kessel, MNM
Executive Director
Survivors, Inc.
Post Office Box 3572
Gettysburg, PA  17325
(717) 334-0589 Extension 22
Facsimile (717) 334-3576
EMail:  Terri@...