A: Nothing

Looks more like a mutually-good time than a potential sexual assault...

In 2007, Texas passed a law requiring strip clubs to charge a $5-per-patron entrance fee (i.e. a sin tax), with the proceeds meant to fund a sexual assault program.

There are three major flaws with this tax:

1) It’s unconstitutional (last year, a group of clubs won a challenge to the constitutionality of the law).

2) Not a dime has yet been used to help the intended victims of sexual assault.

3) There is zero evidence or proof that their is any relationship to patronage at a strip club and committing sexual assault.

If the state really wanted to impose a $5 “entrance fee” (tax) on a business that has a greater impact on sexual assaults it should impose it on bars and liquor stores.

Otherwise, this sets a dangerous precedent of taxing behavior and morality to fund unrelated pet projects. Regardless of how well meaning that pet project might be.

Thankfully, many clubs are simply defying the state’s money grab:

Since the law went into effect last year, only about $12.2 million has been collected by the state under the law for sexual assault prevention and treatment, far less than the $50 million that had been expected.

“We are, of course, disappointed,” said Annette Burrhus-Clay, executive director of the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault. “But hopefully there will be more resources set aside for the comptroller to actually monitor this in the future.”

The clubs last year successfully challenged the constitutionality of the law, authored by state Rep. Ellen Cohen, D-Houston, but the state ordered them to continue turning over the fee money during the appeal.