Joe Turner at The News Tribune of Tacoma has word of a proposal by state Rep. Mark Miloscia, D-Federal Way, to levy an 18.5 percent tax on all visual or audio pornographic materials.

Several other Democrats have also signed on to the bill, including House Majority Leader Lynn Kessler, D-Hoquiam.

Under the bill, revenue collected on sales and use of adult entertainment materials and services would be used to help fund the General Assistance-Unemployable, a safety net program that Gov. Chris Gregoire has proposed cutting.

UPDATE: Seattle Times reporter Jennifer Sullivan spoke with Miloscia today about his proposal. He said the
18.5 percent tax would be levied on magazines, photographs, movies, videos, cable television services, telephone services, audiotapes, computer programs and paraphernalia that market porn.

"For me it is a no brainier," Miloscia said. "People say this will cause business to go out of state; who is going to care about that?"

He said the bill was inspired by California, which he said has a 25 percent adult entertainment tax. He said the tax generated almost $250 million for the state last year.

Miloscia said his bill will likely be heard by the House Finance Committee in the coming days.