Las Vegas NowMayor Goodman Proposes Legalizing Prostitution Downtown

Mayor Goodman Proposes Legalizing Prostitution Downtown

(Oct. 22, 2003) -- A stunning suggestion from the always-surprising Mayor of Las Vegas was made Wednesday. Oscar Goodman says the city should at least consider opening public debate to the subject of legalizing prostitution within city limits.

Mayor Goodman is not advocating legalizing prostitution, he says it would bring in a lot of money for the city. His comments came during an interview on talk radio this Wednesday morning.

Prostitution has been illegal in Clark County since 1971, when lawmakers passed a state statute prohibiting prostitution within county limits. Clark County is the only county in Nevada that this statute is applicable. Washoe County does not allow prostitution. But that is based on a county decision, not a state one.

Mayor Goodman says he wants to throw the subject of legalizing prostitution out there and see how the public feels about having a red light district downtown. "

I'm throwing the idea out. I want to hear what the people have to say. I'm not advocating anything at this point. 15 out of the 17 counties in Nevada apparently don't think it's immoral. It's not illegal, and it's something that the public should really consider because there's a tremendous amount of money that could be raised as a good source of tax revenue here," stated Mayor Goodman.

Brothels are scattered around the state. The closest ones to Las Vegas are Sherrie's Ranch and the Chicken Ranch located in Pahrump, about an hour away.

It's no secret that prostitution already exists here in the city -- illegally. And some say since it's already happening, the city should be making a profit from it.