Group says it has signatures to force vote on [Ohio] strip club law
yndy
Maryland
Can't wait to see the campaign!!!
Group says it has signatures to force vote on strip club law
Monday, August 13, 2007 6:44 PM
By Associated Press
A group representing strip club owners and dancers said today it collected enough signatures to give voters a chance to overturn a law that prohibits patrons from touching strippers and halts nude dancing after midnight.
Citizens for Community Standards said it collected 248,673 signatures in its attempt to overturn the law, which is set to take effect Sept 4. The group needs at least 241,366 valid signatures from registered voters — a number that equals 6 percent of the total vote cast in the 2006 governor's race — to place the issue on the November ballot.
The group will continue to gather more signatures to ensure the number is still high enough after the Ohio secretary of state's office completes the verification process, said Sandy Theis, a spokeswoman for club owners and dancers.
Strip club owners argue the restrictions are an unconstitutional infringement on free speech and expression.
If the signatures are verified, the law would not go into effect, pending the outcome of the November vote, said Leo Jennings, a spokesman for Attorney General Marc Dann.
The new restrictions on strip clubs were passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature in May and allowed to become law by Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland without his signature.
Citizens for Community Values, a Cincinnati-based conservative group that pushed for the new law, argues that the restrictions will reduce crimes such as prostitution and illegal drug use and decrease blight in neighborhoods where strip clubs operate.
David Miller, a vice president with the conservative organization, said he doubts whether the group representing strip clubs has collected enough valid signatures. If the issue qualifies for the ballot, Miller said he is confident that Ohio voters will support the new regulations.
Citizens for Community Values also spearheaded the 2004 amendment that bans gay marriages in Ohio.
For additional health information, visit OhioHealth
Group says it has signatures to force vote on strip club law
Monday, August 13, 2007 6:44 PM
By Associated Press
A group representing strip club owners and dancers said today it collected enough signatures to give voters a chance to overturn a law that prohibits patrons from touching strippers and halts nude dancing after midnight.
Citizens for Community Standards said it collected 248,673 signatures in its attempt to overturn the law, which is set to take effect Sept 4. The group needs at least 241,366 valid signatures from registered voters — a number that equals 6 percent of the total vote cast in the 2006 governor's race — to place the issue on the November ballot.
The group will continue to gather more signatures to ensure the number is still high enough after the Ohio secretary of state's office completes the verification process, said Sandy Theis, a spokeswoman for club owners and dancers.
Strip club owners argue the restrictions are an unconstitutional infringement on free speech and expression.
If the signatures are verified, the law would not go into effect, pending the outcome of the November vote, said Leo Jennings, a spokesman for Attorney General Marc Dann.
The new restrictions on strip clubs were passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature in May and allowed to become law by Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland without his signature.
Citizens for Community Values, a Cincinnati-based conservative group that pushed for the new law, argues that the restrictions will reduce crimes such as prostitution and illegal drug use and decrease blight in neighborhoods where strip clubs operate.
David Miller, a vice president with the conservative organization, said he doubts whether the group representing strip clubs has collected enough valid signatures. If the issue qualifies for the ballot, Miller said he is confident that Ohio voters will support the new regulations.
Citizens for Community Values also spearheaded the 2004 amendment that bans gay marriages in Ohio.
For additional health information, visit OhioHealth
7 comments
The argument about reducing prostitution and drug related crime is pure bullshit. First, it's just a cover for a conservative religious agenda. Second, it is based on an association between strip clubs and crime rates that confuses cause and effect. As we all know, clubs are generally not permitted in any residential areas, and usually are in crappy parts of town. Oddly, these places also have higher crime rates.
In Scottsdale, AZ, the City Council passed a restrictive club measure a year ago, and the club owners fought back, got the signatures, and the measure was rescinded by referendum. There is hope.
It is affiliated with the Family Research Council and Focus on the Family. Family Research Council has an extensive political agenda.
And the model legislation this is all based on comes from American Family Association Center for Law and Policy.
I swear,these people are more obsessed with sex than most of us.
If these clubs start closing down, where are some of the dancers going to go, especially those who have no work background other than dancing? Prostitution, yes, some may stray along those lines. Escort service girls, yes there also. So, in my eyes, taking these dancers out of a controlled environment, will in fact, increase prostitution on the streets. Most of the dancers from closed clubs will either venture off to other states for similar jobs, or attempt new careers in low paying jobs, or just go on welfare if they meet requirements.
We have yet to hear from any law enforcement authority about the resources they will devote to enforcement of any strip club law. Let's see what's happening a year from now, if the law is still in effect then.
The Ohio situation may turn out to be like that in Las Vegas (and remember, many clubs are in Clark County, not Vegas). They have some restrictions, although I cannot recall the specifics. Every couple of years, the cops will bust a club or two. Things tighten up for about 3-6 months, then gradually loosen again for another year or two because there is little or no enforcement.