By BJ Austin
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-698419.mp3
Dallas, TX – Dallas State Representative Rafael Anchia requested that the House licensing and regulation committee meet at Dallas City Hall to talk about new state laws that could tighten regulations on topless clubs across the state. He outlined repeated problems at one club that the TABC never moved to shut down.
Wilma Avalos, who's lived in that northwest Dallas neighborhood for 15 years says she has complained repeatedly to the TABC, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, about illegal activity at the clubs. But until she started protesting outside Club Metropolis three weeks ago, nothing much happened.
Avalos: "And after we got thru, like 3:15 in the morning, the DPD went in and each time they have made arrests. And then this last time we were there, this Saturday, they went in and arrested them for alcohol after hours. So they haven't learned their lesson. And I think it's because they know TABC is not going to take those licenses."
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott presented the committee with five suggestions, including: making it a felony not a misdemeanor for hiring a minor.