Is prostitution "live entertainment"?

Is prostitution "live entertainment"? The state of Nevada passed a bill in its last session taxing "live entertainment" but did not include the very profitable sporting houses. (There are 28 bordellos legally operating in 10 rural Nevada counties.) Now that state's legislature is facing some tough decisions regarding legislation covering the love for sale industry.

"Senator, how do you feel about that prostitution bill?"

"Well, if we owe it … we should pay it."

OK, so I'm using an old joke again, but I'm doing it to lead into a possible solution to Montana's financial mess. First some background.

The "do-gooders," "busy-bodies" and "those without sin" are constantly looking for ways to tell others how to run their lives while at the same time forcing those same low-life citizens to pay an unfair amount of taxes. We have a good example here in Montana with what many of us feel is a very unfair tobacco tax. Sin taxes are even more rampant and out of control in the state of Washington, possibly the most liberal state in the West.

A local representative to the state legislature is campaigning to rid the world of "second-hand smoke" because it is such a deadly threat to our lives. I defy those types of pseudo-scientists to cite one in-depth scientific study which proves a connection between "second-hand" smoke and great threat to health. That idea has been preached so long by a few irresponsible people, they have many of the citizens believing it to the point of paranoia.

I'm harping on this issue to hopefully show how some well meaning but misled social workers and politicians exaggerate and issue in order to use that issue to make a name for themselves and to justify taxing the heck out of chosen minorities. Those people need some richer sinners to harass, and I have the answer.

George Flint is the chief lobbyist for the Nevada Brothel Association, and he appeared before the lawmakers in Carson City on April 17 begging them to allow "his industry" the "privilege of participating" in the state's tax system. Flint readily told the legislature why his "industry" wanted to pay some entertainment taxes. Candidly, I think it will give us some added acceptability. I think it will probably become money the state will be able to use and appreciate.

Flint has been at this for quite awhile. As far back as 1991, he brought one of the working girls to appeal to the lawmakers. An Associated Press writer reports that Nevada's Republican Gov. Kenny Guinn says he will veto any tax increase that lands on his desk. He had not said whether he considers the "prostitution bill" a tax increase or just a revision of last year's bill.

Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, sponsored the bill, which would be a $2 tax per customer; however, Commerce Chairwoman Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas, did not call for a vote on the bill. She said she wanted to let the members "think about it." She also said, "Don't call me Madame Chair."

There it is "do-gooders." You've got an opportunity to bring in an industry that is not only on the level, but is anxious to pay taxes on an income that makes ex-GI smokers and other Montana sinners look like bums.

One more thing. Nevada is sitting on a budget surplus … more than $300 million.