In my email yesterday I saw some news about a proposed "Porn Tax," a 40% excise tax, that is working it's way through the Alabama State Legislature. If this passes, it will affect many of you who live in, visit, or travel through Alabama.

As passed by Alabama's House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee, the tax would be imposed on "any and all forms of pornographic or sexually explicit content purchased in the state of Alabama, including, but not limited to, pornographic magazines, adult videos, and online adult rentals." This is in addition to other taxes being considered to cover a massive budget deficit. The proposal now goes on to the full House.

You can read local news coverage at “Porn Tax” Passes Through Alabama House Committee as well as Forbes' story putting it in context at Making It Rain: Alabama Considers Porn Tax On Strip Clubs, Magazines & More. Forbes' commentator says it may apply to drag shows, massages, and perhaps even certain publications about films rated R or NC-17. "Fifty Shades Of Grey," anyone?

I also found further detail in this opinion piece, Republicans’ Hypocritical Stance on Alabama’s Proposed Porn Tax. Note that it has a more political take and more "attitude" than the Forbes piece, but includes additional substantive detail and analysis about the proposal.

I imagine this will reappear in the news if the proposal advances in Alabama, but I'd appreciate hearing from folks who live there or travel there about what they know and about their opinions.

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Thanks for this info. Appreciate it.

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As you can see, my news alerts come a day or two after the fact. The porn tax proposal was rejected by the Alabama State Senate. One of the links below explores First Amendment concerns that deterred other states from passing similar taxes

A full budget not including the tax was passed and signed by the Governor relying on a combination of tax increases and budget cuts.

Alabama Senate rejects sin tax on pornography - Watchdog.org

Alabama Budget Signed -- 3 Sessions Later

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