By Clint Confehr

Senior Staff Writer

Customers of adult cabarets, including two on the west side of the Interstate 65 interchange at Cornersville, would have to pay a $10 state tax used to help victims of sex assault and domestic violence if pending legislation becomes law.

State Sen. Bill Ketron (R-Murfreesboro), the man who represented Marshall County for a decade, is sponsoring what's being called the cover charge bill in the Tennessee General Assembly and it's supported by Kathy Walsh, director of the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence.

If signed into law as planned by Ketron, the measure might be a source of funding for a domestic violence shelter set to open in Lewisburg this month, according to comments from Walsh and Ketron.

"A lot of the time," Ketron said, "the women who work there [at topless night clubs] are victims."

Ketron said he has "no problem" taxing adult-oriented business customers "who want to throw dollar bills" at pole dancers where alcoholic beverages are sold for on-premises consumption.

The proposed law would affect Midnight Express and the Watering Hole Lounge along U.S. Highway 31A west of I-65's Exit 22 just across the border between Marshall and Giles counties. Further south the interstate at Exit 6, Boobie Bungalow would also be affected, according to information from Walsh.

Attempts to reach owners and operators of the three businesses were unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, Ketron's bill has been "flagged by the administration," the Murfreesboro Republican said.

Gov. Bill Haslam wants new revenue going to the general fund, instead of directed for a specific purpose.

"We're not allowed to earmark money," Ketron said.

State Rep. Billy Spivey (R-Lewisburg) was asked about the proposal. He reacted with thoughts on freedom, taxation and limited government.

"Anytime government gets involved in mandating businesses to charge," Spivey said, "my initial reaction is to recoil, but I've not seen the entire proposal."

Cornersville Police Chief Todd Bone reacted positively to Ketron's proposed law.

"That's a good idea," Bone said.

Midnight Express and the Watering Hole are in Giles County and therefore beyond the Cornersville town line.

"Giles County deputies have had to respond there," Bone said. "We assist them."

Asked if employees of the topless bars include residents of Marshall County, Bone replied, "Absolutely. Several have been from Marshall, Giles, Fayetteville ... within a 50-mile radius. They also bring them in from ... all over...

"I wouldn't say that it's a nuisance," Bone said during a telephone interview. "My problem is that it's an establishment that sells alcohol and that can lead to someone driving when they've consumed too much and travel through our city on a regular basis.

"There have been several DUIs (driving under the influence of an intoxicant charges) that our officers have made over the years and the drivers have come from those establishments," Cornersville's police chief said.