Chicken Ranch likes brothel tax bill

In a statement today, the Chicken Ranch, a brothel in Pahrump, thanked state Sen. Bob Coffin, D-Las Vegas, for introducing legislation some wags have referred to as a "broad"-based business tax.

Coffin's proposal to tax Nevada's brothels is something the legal brothels have long sought, on the theory that the bigger a part of the state's tax base they make up, the harder it will be for lawmakers to consider outlawing them down the line. Senate Bill 369 would put a $5 tax on each act of prostitution and use some of the resulting funds to set up a counseling agency for sex workers.

In case it's not clear from the statement below, the Chicken Ranch wholeheartedly supports the legislation, its publicist, Bob Fisher, said. "The whole brothel industry supports it," he said, because they "want to be good citizens."

Here's the statement from the Chicken Ranch:

“The Chicken Ranch, a legal licensed brothel, applauds Senate Taxation Chairman Bob Coffin on introducing SB369 which addresses taxing prostitution.

The Chicken Ranch believes that a legal, regulated, licensed and tax paying brothel is the best environment for women who chose prostitution as their occupation.

The criminal enterprise of illegal prostitution operating in Las Vegas is a detriment to the prostitute, customer and community and avoids taxation at a cost to taxpayers.

We appreciate Senator Coffin's courage in addressing this issue.”