There is a possibility of getting a bill in the legislature to change some laws. I have a meeting this afternoon that I'm hoping will shed some light on the probability that we can succeed.
Prior to the meeting I'd like to understand a couple of things.
- How many people on TER (and elswhere within the industry) are supportive of this? I don't want to get the ball rolling if nobody really cares.
- I need a sense of how big the industry is. A couple of us have taken some guesses, but they're just swags. How many Indies do you believe there are in the metro (extending as far as St Cloud & Roch)? How many people working for agencies (btw, there are about 150 agency listings in the Mpls yellow pages of which I assume some (or many?) are the same agency)?
For those who know (or think you know) who I am please keep that to yourself, though you are welcome to email me directly about it.
Thanks,
JTH
Sorry I can't help with the stats, my guessing is there are many indies and agencies. Yes a lot in the yellow pages are the same place, i knew places that have anywhere from 2-8 numbers for one services, but I would guess that there are many agencies that aren't in the phone book so the 150 count may not be far off. It looks like these days there might be more indies than agencies. This is all pure guess though.
thanks...want to contact you...
TER needs to revise that system. I don't have a paid membership so I can't retrieve any messages left to me there. Email me here [email protected].
Yesterday we discussed:
- Primary reason for changing the laws is that current laws are not succesfull and that new laws legalizing sexual services themselves but attacking specific issues (pimping, public solicitation/advertising) will be more succesfull in achieving the communities overall goals.
- Secondary Argument is financial; 1-Savings in LE, prosecution, etc., 2-Revenue, 3-Increased convention business.
- Civil Liberties will not be a lead argument though will be kept prominent.
Probability of success is anyone's guess at this point, but the general belief is that the arguments are strong enough in the current political environment that there's at least a shot.
JTH
I'm all for it. I'd vote for it.
I would support such a bill. But!
I think you are going to find a hard time finding a Rep. and a Senator to carry such a bill. With the right wing swing of the legislature, I think it would just die in committee. Not that its not worth a try. If you do find someone receptive to legalization, post it here. So all of us who are interested in legalization can donate to his (or her) reelection campaign!
Its sad but money talks in our political system.
I just wanted to add that any Minnesota resident can donate to the campaign of a state official (or someone seeking that office), and recieve a refund from the state (up to $50 per person).