Adult download tax proposal awaits climax in Albany

A state proposal to add a 4% tax for downloading movies and music will also apply to Internet porn.

Gov. Paterson recently suggested the so-called iPod tax to help close a $15 billion budget deficit, but few realized the levy would also apply to XXX-rated material.

The skin industry denounced the move as a cheap political stunt.

"The last thing any of us need is an additional tax," said Steven Hirsch, the CEO of Vivid Entertainment Group and self-proclaimed King of Porn. "These are very difficult times and nobody can afford to lose even one customer."

The new tax technically isn't a sin tax, since it applies to all "digitally delivered entertainment services."

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This prelude to an even broader New York internet tax will move internet companies away from New York and will hurt New York.

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