Texas Strip Club Tax, Declared Unconstitutional, Still Being Collected During Appeal

AUSTIN, Texas — State District Judge Stephen Yelenosky has told attorneys for Texas strip clubs that the state can continue to collect a controversial strip club fee — which was struck down as unconstitutional three weeks ago — while the state appeals the ruling.

Texas Entertainment Association attorney Stewart Whitehead said the state is insisting on collecting fees that it knows are unconstitutional. The Texas Entertainment Association membership includes more than half the topless clubs in Texas.

"It's a grave injustice that the attorney general and the comptroller would use procedural court technicalities to continue to trample on the rights of these business owners," Whitehead said.

The $5 cover fee on strip club patrons was approved by the Texas legislature last year, which earmarked the expected $40 million in annual revenues for sexual assault services and health insurance to the poor.

Club owners sued, and on March 28, state district Judge Scott Jenkins found that the fee was an illegal tax on "expression that, while politically unpopular, is nevertheless protected by the First Amendment." Declaring the law invalid, Judge Jenkins issued an order that included an injunction against collecting the fee.

On April 7, the attorney general's office filed an appeal, which automatically suspended Judge Jenkins' judgment and the injunction. The state comptroller sent out a letter to strip clubs saying that the fee is active, and that the first reports and payments are due Monday. If they aren't sent in, a 5 percent penalty takes effect.

On Thursday, Judge Yelenosky declined to issue an order that would keep the injunction in place during the appeal, effectively continuing collection of the tax.

Texas Entertainment Association attorney Whitehead said that the businesses will continue to fight, and will appeal Thursday's ruling.

Related:  

Copyright © 2024 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Nebraska Legislature Passes Republican's Age Verification Bill With No Votes Against It

Nebraska’s unicameral legislature has passed the state’s version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists.

Performers in Meta Blacklisting Lawsuit Seek to Preserve Antitrust Claims

Adult Performance Artists Guild board officers Alana Evans, Kelly Pierce and Ruby have informed a California court that, although they want to drop their lawsuit claiming that Meta conspired with OnlyFans to blacklist rival premium fan platforms’ talent, they may still have antitrust claims that they may pursue in the future.

Xgen Now Shipping ZOLO's 'Stroke Off' Collection

Xgen Products is now shipping the Stroke Off collection of 11 handheld strokers and four masturbators modeled after lifelike body parts.

Nobü Unveils 'Gyrä' Vibrating Grinding Pad

Nobü has introduced the new Gyrä vibrating grinding pad.

Orion Introduces New 3-Motor Vibrator From 'Sweet Smile' Line

Orion Wholesale has debuted the new three-motor RC G- & P-Spot Vibrator from its Sweet Smile line.

C1R Debuts 'Vers' Suction Dildo, Butt Plug

C1R has introduced its new Vers liquid silicone suction dildo and butt plug.

FSC, Co-Plaintiffs to Ask US Supreme Court to Review Constitutionality of Texas Age Verification Law

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) and its co-plaintiffs in the challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law have filed a petition before the United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit asking to stay its recent upholding the law because they intend to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to review the law’s constitutionality.

Blush Erotica, The Kinky Candle Company Partner for Branded Candle

Blush Erotica has partnered with The Kinky Candle Company for an official branded candle.

FSC Vows to Fight Florida Age Verification Law

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) issued a statement vowing to continue fighting Florida’s age verification law, which was signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday as part of a comprehensive bill targeting minors’ use of social media.

Kansas Republican Aims to Create New Bureaucracy to 'Investigate' Porn Websites

Republican state legislators succeeded Monday in moving forward Kansas’ version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists, despite serious concerns raised by House Democrats about the cost of establishing a new bureaucracy tasked with investigating websites for pornographic content.

Show More