SACRAMENTO, CA — Rarely a day passes when the average American isn’t confronted by at least one headline, one newscaster, one political or religious commentator insisting that “secondary effects” from the existence of adult businesses are not only real, but heavily documented and destroying families, communities, and cities at this very moment. Starting today, representatives from the adult entertainment industry are in California’s state capital assuring legislators that it ain’t necessarily so. During the 11th annual Free Speech Coalition sponsored Celebrate Free Speech Lobbying Days event, participants will discuss a number of topics with the state’s representatives, including the newly amended AB 2914.
Championed and introduced by assembly member Charles Calderon (D-Whittier), AB 2914 promises to impose an 8-percent tax on the gross receipts of adult entertainment venues in order to create an Adult Entertainment Venue Impact Fund which would “ameliorate the secondary effects of adult entertainment venues.”
According to Free Speech Coalition press release, executive director Diane Duke assures the industry that “Assembly Member Calderon is mistaken if he thinks he can push this highly destructive bill through without a fight.”
Part of that fight will involve industry delegates dispelling myths about the so-called “secondary effects” and pointing out the hypocrisy inherent in a bill more likely to exist in what the FSC calls “an attempt to help offset the state’s budget deficit.”
“A tax on adult entertainment was just found unconstitutional in the state of Texas,” Duke points out. “We are certainly not going to stand for this in California!”
Matt Gray, lobbyist for the FSC believes this year’s Free Speech Lobbying Day is “a great opportunity for our legislators to see the real face of the adult entertainment industry,” as well as “learn just how vital the adult entertainment industry is in the state of California.”
After meeting with various lawmakers, today’s citizen lobbyists will gather informally with lawmakers, staff, and advocates during the annual Free Speech Coalition Reception.
Learn more at www.FreeSpeechCoalition.com.
