evolution

File this under “colossal waste of time”:

TOPEKA - Adult cabarets would have to keep their billboards at least a mile away from state highways under a bill approved by the House today.

And for those businesses that are located near the highways, only two signs would be allowed –one smaller than 40 feet stating their name, another saying the business is off limits to minors.

Businesses that already have signs would have until July 2009 to remove them.

Lawmakers hope the move will reduce prostitution, crime and juvenile delinquency. They also hope it will help property valuations in areas with sexually-oriented signs and improve traffic safety.

The bill goes to the Senate next.

The Senate debated it today. It’s called SB 253 and was discussed in conference committee over the last few days.

Wouldn’t problems such as “prostitution, crime, and juvenile deliquency” tend to decrease as a result of properly funding schools, more so than by removing a few billboards? I’ve been all over this state, and I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a billboard where I’ve thought, “Gee, I wish kids wouldn’t have to see that.” I have thought many times, however, that I’d like to see schools funded properly and run efficiently.