The Federally protected artwork of video games has yet again come under direct fire, this time from an Oklahoma State Representative. Representative William Fourkiller has proposed a law that would see a 1 percent tax increase on teen, mature and adults only-rated video games sold in stores.
Representative Fourkiller notes that the intention of the bill is to address violent video games, and the resulting tax money would be used to help combat childhood obesity and bullying.
“Violent video games contribute to some of our societal problems like obesity and bullying, but because they raise a lot of revenue, they can also provide part of the solution,” said Fourkiller.
Given the recent Supreme Court decision by the Federal Government, this new law could be seen as an attack on a specific, federally acknowledged, form of art. A cursory evaluation of Oklahoma’s population means that even if the bill passes, only $2.2 million or so would be raised. Should a legal contest ensue over this targeted bill, Representative Fourkiller should be mindful that California had to pay $1.3 million to the ESA in legal fees after losing their own fight against the ‘evils’ of violent video games.
[Thanks Kotaku]
