Combs v. Texas Entertainment Association (DocketDB)

That was pretty quick. Just last week, a three-judge panel of the Austin Court ruled 2-1 (in three separate opinions) that Texas’s $5-per-patron fee for certain, ahem, gentlemen’s clubs that serve alcohol was unconstitutional. Justice Henson and Chief Justice Jones would have applied slightly different standards for assessing governmental intent; Justice Puryear would have upheld the law.

The petition for review has already been filed. It’s available for download as a PDF. The State’s policy rationale? In 15 pages, the word “rape” appears 19 times.

Article: Star-Telegram (AP)