Editorial: If brothel industry wants to help balance budget, let it

The legislature's ingenuity for drumming up more money for the state's coffers raised eyebrows in Carson City last week.

State Sen. Bob Coffin of Las Vegas would like to enlist Nevada's prostitutes to help balance the budget on their backs.

Senate Bill 368, which he said could generate about $2 million a year, would impose an excise tax of $5 for anyone using a prostitute's service " legal or illegal.

Coffin received an endorsement from the state's brothel association. George Flint, a lobbyist for the association, said the additional fee is "wonderful" and that the industry would support such a bill.

Although many residents feel prostitution gives the state a black eye, "the world's oldest profession" is, nevertheless, legal in at least two-thirds of the state's counties based on voter approval.

Coffin's bill, though, faces major hurdles and would eventually end up in the Senate Finance Committee and then the full Senate.

Gov. Jim Gibbons said he would not sign the bill, if passed.

"I'm not a supporter of legalizing prostitution in Nevada. So by taxing it, there's a recognition of the legality of it. And that's all I want to say," Gibbons said.

Governor, run the state like a business and leave personal feelings out of it.

As long as the industry is willing to contribute to the stimulus plan and raise money for the state, Gibbons should take advantage of their willingness and endorse the proposition.