Money hasn't gone to its intended purpose
DALLAS (AP) -- Texas gentlemen's clubs have paid the state more than $11 million in fees collected from patrons as part of a law enacted in 2007.
But the money hasn't gone to its intended purpose because of an ongoing First Amendment lawsuit. The funds were designed for counties that do not have any services for sexual assault victims.
The Dallas Morning News reports the Texas Comptroller's Office has collected $11.2 million from the $5-per-patron fee, but the money remains in state coffers because of the lawsuit.
The lawsuit pits the state against some of the sexually oriented businesses.
In addition, only some of the clubs are paying the money, and the $11.2 million is far short of the $40 million that legislative analysts projected for the law's first year.
A state district judge struck down the law last year, saying topless dancing was protected as free speech and that the state couldn't show a link between strip clubs and inadequate health insurance. The state has appealed.
(Copyright ©2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
