In her latest Ruestman Report, outgoing Rep. Marilyn Ruestman, R-Joplin, praises the passage of legislation curbing sexually-oriented businesses and urges constituents to call the governor and encourage him to sign the bill:
Session is over! Of all my eight sessions in the Missouri House, this had to have been the most unusual one. It was a much calmer, subdued session in large part due to the budget shortfall. Beyond the budget we were able to pass a few key pieces of legislation that will help to improve the state. I plan to discuss these issues in the coming weeks, but I want to start with one of the most important problems we were able to address this session.
Locally, we’ve been faced with the many negative side-effects of the adult industry and the stores that cater to that unsavory market. Anyone who’s traveled I-44 to Springfield knows exactly what kind of businesses I’m referring to. It is unfortunate that in our conservative corner of the state we are forced to deal with the many bad issues resulting from pornography.
We were able to pass legislation this session to address the worst effects of these places. Senate Bills 586 and 617, handled by our own Southwest Representative, Ed Emery, are intended to stop the bad behavior and unsavory activities occurring in these businesses.
Some of the tenants of these bills are as follows:
Restricts locating a sexually-oriented business to beyond 1000 feet from a preexisting school, house of worship, daycare, public library, public park or private residence.
Nudity with contact to patrons is not allowed. Employees must remain on a stage that is at least six feet from customers and 18 inches off the floor.
Sexually-oriented businesses cannot be open between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m.
Requires employees to have an unobstructed view of patrons. Closed doors many times accommodate illegal behavior.
The negative effects of these businesses are numerous, but it is not uncommon to see increased sexual and violent crimes in areas where they are located. The property values of those living within close proximity usually plummet.
This bill is now headed to the governor to be signed into law. It is important for our community and the state. He knows we expect him to sign this bill. I encourage you to contact his office to let him know you support these bills being signed into law. His office may be reached by visiting http://governor.mo.gov or by calling 573-751-3222.
10 comments:
I would support this bill, but I imagine it will face a tough fight in the courts. I'm not a lawyer, but I remember from the law courses I have taken that the court is likely to frown upon restrictions that may violate the First Amendment rights of those businesses. A time, place and manner restriction may be allowed before the business is in place, but afterwards, it will be difficult to enforce.
I wish that Marilyn would spend her energy on positive legislation and not try to joust at windmills that will cost the state dearly in lawsuits. Our children and communities are not likely to suffer much from these adult businesses. Most of them are frequented by truckers and by homosexual males looking to get their jollies.
I forgot to address the other side of the sex business, the gentlemen's clubs -- again, I doubt if they could police the existing clubs with restrictions; my biggest problem with these clubs is not the venues and the patrons, but the damage done to the girls who strip on stage, and the possibility of prostitution and drug use. I think a better law would address the exploitation of these women and provide a way to ensure that they are not exploited; the businesses exist -- and girls are exploited. This is the true problem, not the existence of these places.
I believe Ruestman has already called and talked to my wife.
I believe the gentleman's clubs mentioned above are also frequented mostly be homosexuals and truckers.
easy to see why you are a real journalist anymore...after reading your headline...it's offensive and incorrect...like many things you post here...you seem to get more desperate each day.. you should be sued for putting quotation marks anywhere in that headline..
It is amazing what poor Ms Ruestman has to attach her name to in an effort to make people believe she is worth her salary.
"Increased crime in the area" of adult business? How about increased crime in the area of bars? Of trailer parks? Of liquor stores?
The fact is, it galls you to see those garish yellow signs along the highway "Adult Arcade" or whatever. Right. Me too. But, y'know what? It's their RIGHT to post them, and to conduct their legal business. If you and I don't like it, don't look!
To 8:44
I got it. Now that is a funny post.
Apparently she has called my wife also because we have very limited sex in our community.
That alone seems to me to be a great reason to vote against her. More sex and less Marilyn....what a fine deal!
Marilyn,
If you ever read this blog, please consider that you were not successful at a state representative and you will not be successful as our county commissioner. Would you consider doing something more to your ability, like working as a carhop at Sonic?
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