In a move that will surely grab headlines, if not actually address or solve our state’s problems, State Rep. Stacy Campfield is proposing that the state of Tennessee institute a tax on pornography and the adult industry.
According to the News Sentinel:
Some people questioned about the proposal, including Gov. Phil Bredesen, said it may be unconstitutional. Campfield, R-Knoxville, said the proposed tax would apply - at the least - to sexually oriented materials that legally cannot be sold to persons under age 18. This would cover videos, books, magazines and sexual devices, he said. Movies with an “R” rating or lower would not be taxed, but those with an X rating would, he said.
The bill is in the process of being researched and drafted, he said, with many details unresolved. Campfield said he is “exploring” a broader definition of what would be taxed, perhaps adding exotic dance clubs - “lap dancing and that sort of thing.”
However, it’s not just the constitutionality, and dare I say the sanity, of Rep. Campfield’s proposal that’s being questioned but also its practicality.
Dr. Stan Chervin, an expert on state taxation who serves as senior research associate for the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations, said there is “no way” a pornography tax would generate enough revenue to allow repeal of the food tax.
“What’s he going to do? Charge $2 million on a Playboy magazine?” asked Chervin.
A good question Dr. Chervin. An even better one might be why is Campfield wasting the legislature’s time and taxpayer money on a bill that can not possibly solve our problems? Could it be this is just another in a long series of cries for media attention by Rep. Campfield?
Or maybe it is just an example of legislators writing about what they know?
Seriously. No one without porn on the brain is going to write and propose a bill to tax pornography. Perhaps it is time for Rep. Campfield to give his bachelorhood a rest.
Read the entire News Sentinel Article
And don’t forget to read more about Campfield’s plan to tax lap dances at his personal blog.
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