The days of, “when the times really get tough,” are over. We’re already there. The time is currently “tough,” and we have to do something about it. That something is legalizing prostitution.

This may seem like an extreme step, but we all know that sex sells. And when something sells in a bad economy, we should tax it. Having the government standardize and legitimize this occupation will help not only the workers but the patrons as well. More benefits and security can be afforded to the workers. Patrons will also be able to visit professional establishments rather than seedy street corners or back alleys.

Precedent for this already exists just one state away where prostitution is already legal.

According to a March 24 article on NPR.org, Nevada Senate Taxation Committee Chairman Bob Coffin proposed a $5 tax on acts of prostitution. This newfound revenue would also fund a counseling agency for sex workers.

“We’re desperate to find money for essential government services, so I will go anywhere to do that,” Coffin said.

On April 9, the Nevada State Senate voted the bill down, disappointing supporters such as brothel owners and working ladies and men alike. Coffin argued that the bill could have potentially raised an estimated $2 million in state revenue, including enough to provide women and men in the industry with assistance to get out of the business.

The main reason this bill didn’t pass in Nevada is because lawmakers didn’t want to further legitimize prostitution as an occupation. As if it will magically go away by ignoring it.

Prostitution, legal or otherwise, is going nowhere. That is why we have to start taking advantage of it now. In Nevada, the law prohibits the operation of any kind of brothel in counties with populations larger than 200,000 people. So the popular destination resorts of Reno and Las Vegas are out of bounds. The rural desert regions, however, host 25 different establishments that attract patrons from all over the country.

This is somewhere California can have a distinct advantage over our sister state to the east. Legalize prostitution everywhere. Obviously use some tact when deciding where to build these establishments. There’s no need to banish them to the arid outskirts of civilization, though close proximity to schools, churches and residential neighborhoods should probably be off-limits.

The estimated $2 million that Coffin expected could easily be doubled or tripled in California. According to a 2007 estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of Nevada is roughly 2 million people. Compare that to the more than 36 million who reside in California, and the potential is seemingly limitless.

There are other issues standing in the way of legalizing prostitution as well. Many people argue that prostitution crosses religious and moral boundaries, and that it shouldn’t be allowed in any form. While that argument has some credence, the transaction of sex for money will never go away. It’s known as the world’s oldest profession, and as long as it’s here we should take advantage of it.

It’s not just the financial benefits, either. In Coffin’s plan, he proposed setting up an agency to help sex workers find ways out of the business. Coffin’s bill was shot down, but if we were to legalize prostitution here in California, we can emulate and improve upon where he left off.

By creating an atmosphere of safety for those involved, it would protect women and men in the profession with more routine health check-ups and sanctions that would allow them to operate without fear. These sex-workers could also pay into retirement plans, collect benefits and have health care.

Right now, prostitutes walk the streets of Sacramento and every other major city in California with offers of a “good time” for those willing to pay the price. The place for these workers, however, is off our sidewalks and into some well-maintained brothels. California is in a tough spot right now; its people need to be willing to pay the price to get us out.

Matt Rascher can be reached at [email protected]