You know a state is in deep financial trouble when it’s thinking of capitalizing on strip clubs to fix its debt.
Raising taxes is the last thing most state governments want to do — or suffer a major backlash with the people — so states that are struggling with debt are looking at taxing specific items and services to help decrease their gaps in budget. Some of the ideas seem downright outrageous.
For example, lawmakers in Georgia proposed a “pole tax,” which would charge strip club patrons a $5 entrance fee. The bill was not approved.
Other examples:
- New York proposed a “fat tax” that would put an 18 percent tax on sugary beverages. That didn’t pass. Next door in New Jersey, however, there is now a sales tax on health club memberships.
- School’s out for summer! Some school districts in Utah shortened their school years by a few days in hopes of saving money.
- California proposed legalizing marijuana, and introduced a bill proposing taxing pot by $50 per ounce. If legalized, marijuana would become California’s No. 1 cash crop, bringing in an estimated $1 billion a year in state taxes. The bill was shelved this session, but it is rumored that a revised bill will be reintroduced.
- 19 states have looked into gambling-related tax proposals, according to the National Council of State Legislatures. In Alabama, lawmakers considered bringing in more bingo games and legalizing slot machines, but it was not approved. Along the same lines, Delaware’s Democratic Gov. Jack Markell signed legislation creating a sports lottery that legalizes single-game betting. Four professional sports leagues and the NCAA have filed a lawsuit over this because they say it threatens the integrity of the games.
Guess you have to hand it to legislators, these ideas are definitely outside the box…
