from www.srarebillnews.com – A state lawmaker is working to ensure that recipients of state public assistance benefits can’t use the money to get a lap dance.
Freshman Rep. Dan Pabon, D-Denver [pictured], has introduced a bill that would prohibit welfare recipients from withdrawing cash benefits at ATM machines located in adult entertainment businesses, such as strip clubs.
Pabon said he was approached by constituents who watched a KMGH-TV CALL7 investigation last year that found thousands of tax dollars were withdrawn at casinos, liquor stores and a Denver strip club.
The investigation found that only $80 was withdrawn at the strip club.
Pabon says it is difficult to determine just how much abuse of welfare tax dollars is taking place at places like strip clubs, but said even if his legislation adds only a “sliver” of improvement, it’s still a step in the right direction.
“The primary reason is to make sure that those responsible families aren’t getting a black eye by a few bad apples who are pulling out money at these ATMs and using the money that should be for dinner or clothing on Black Jack, or Jack Daniels, or Shotgun Willie’s,” said Pabon.
Colorado law already prohibits welfare recipients from accessing cash benefits at ATMs located in casinos, in-state simulcast facilities, racetracks, commercial bingo facilities, gun stores, or liquor stores. House Bill 1058 would only add adult entertainment businesses to the list.
HB 1058 would also require the state to develop an enforcement mechanism to prevent welfare recipients from accessing cash benefits at a prohibited location.
But one local strip club manager said the legislation has no teeth because it is impossible to stop recipients who are looking to abuse the welfare system. It would be impossible to stop someone from going to an ATM machine at a nearby bank or gas station, withdrawing money, and then heading to the strip club with a pocket full of singles, said Mike Montoya, manager of The Maxim Show Club on South Santa Fe Drive.
“That wouldn’t really stop them from going to the Conoco and getting money and just coming here,” said Montoya. “People are going to do what they want to do.”
Montoya said he expects HB 1058 would have a negative impact on business.
“Any entertainment industry it would hurt. It’s got to hurt it,” he said. “I mean, they’re out of work, they’re bored — they’re probably going to spend that money somewhere, sometime.”
Pabon acknowledges that it would be difficult to enforce his legislation, but he said he feels compelled to at least make an effort.
“For those who are intent on violating the law, those are the wrongdoers that we can’t do anything about …” said Pabon. “I wish I could make people better people, but I can’t legislate that, so this is the next best thing.”