Sacramento: Condom Measure Could Cost Tens of Millions of $$$

The Free Speech Coalition has released the following message regarding analysis by the California Legislative Analyst's Office of "The California Safer Sex in the Adult Film Industry Act," the misleadingly titled mandatory barrier protection initiative proposed by AHF's Michael Weinstein for inclusion on the 2016 California ballot. CANOGA PARK, Calif.—According to a report by the California Legislative Analyst's Office, a proposed state ballot measure that allows any California resident to sue an adult film company, performer or distributor, could cost the state tens of millions of dollars through loss of massive tax revenue. The Legislative Analyst's Office, the California Legislator's non-partisan fiscal and policy advisory, suggests that the proposed initiative could result in the migration of the billion-dollar adult industry from California or underground. "The state stands to lose tens of millions of dollars in tax revenue, and thousands of vital jobs for what is essentially a one-man moral crusade," said Diane Duke Free Speech Coalition CEO. "This analysis supports what we've been saying for years. It's costly and wasteful and would ultimately hurt performers." Performers have largely opposed similar legislative proposals, taking the position that any effective regulation needs to begin with performer choice. The proposed ballot measure would result in a taxpayer-subsidized office that would be tasked with the review of every adult film shot in California to establish that a condom was used. Additionally, under the proposed initiative, Michael Weinstein, head of the controversial AIDS Healthcare Foundation, could be sworn in as a quasi-Attorney General, a position paid by taxpayer dollars, and could only be removed from that post by a vote of the California Legislature. "Weinstein's obsession with adult films will cost California tens of millions of dollars in tax revenue and will result in a loss of critical services for our communities," said Duke.  "Weinstein wants to line his pockets with taxpayer money and appoint himself as Attorney General."   AVN's analysis of AHF's deeply flawed initiative can be found here.