A bill filed by a state representative would create a 10 percent tax on admission and services offered by strip clubs and escort services.
"My goal is not to put these people out of business," said sponsoring Rep. Duane Bourdeaux, D-Salt Lake City. "But when you deal with this industry and see the effects on families, you want to do something to help."
Most of the tax proceeds would pay for adult and juvenile sexual abuse therapy at the Department of Corrections, but 5 percent would be diverted to the Utah Attorney General's Office to replenish funding stripped by budget cutters from the porn czar's office.
Bourdeaux is also an executive director of the nonprofit Center for Family Development, where he contracts with the state departments of youth and adult Corrections to provide sex-abuse therapy, which he admits creates a conflict of interest.
"I do have a conflict," he said. "But . . . I feel it's important we do what's right for society. This money is not coming directly to me. There is no guarantee."
While no one has come out against the concept of establishing a sin tax on adult entertainment, some are questioning the use of the funds raised.
"We're cutting off Medicaid funding and now we want to bring the porn czar back?" said Rep. Scott Daniels, D-Salt Lake City. "I can't understand it."
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