Nevada Lawmaker Seeks Hooker Tax

$5-per-day levy on clients proposed to boost state coffers, help sex workers

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 25, 2009 6:25 AM CDT

(Newser) – A Nevada lawmaker is seeking a new tax on the world's oldest profession, NPR reports. Democratic State Sen. Bob Coffin has introduced a bill that would tax anybody using the services of a prostitute—in the state's 25 legal brothels or elsewhere—$5 per day, with the proceeds going to fund state services and assistance for sex workers.

"I don't know why people won't recognize that we have a legal industry," said Coffin, who estimates the tax would rake in $2 million from the brothels alone. "I'm willing to do the dirty work if no one else will." The state's Republican governor, an opponent of legalized prostitution, said he would refuse to sign the bill.

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College students tour the historic Chicken Ranch brothel in Pahrump, Nev., last year. (AP Photo/ Ronda Churchill)

A prostitute sits at the historic Chicken Ranch brothel in Pahrump, Nev., last year. The state has 25 legal brothels. (AP Photo/ Ronda Churchill)

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I think it’s wonderful. The question is, how the hell are we going to collect on all underground activity going on in Vegas?
- George Flint, lobbyist for the Nevada Brothel Association

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Nevada Lawmaker Seeks Hooker Tax