Things That Make The Gadfly Want to Ram Kabob Skewers Through His Eyeballs . . .

The mortifying idiocy just never stops with these people:

March 08, 2013 12:00 am  •  Associated Press(60) Comments

PHOENIX - Religious organizations would qualify for new property tax exemptions under legislation being considered by the Arizona House of Representatives.

The measure would allow churches to avoid taxes on property used for activities other than religious worship.

The bill's sponsor, Republican Rep. Justin Olson, said the current religious-exemption law has resulted in many lawsuits because county property assessors don't have clear guidance on which organizations qualify for the exemptions.

Proponents say the proposed overhaul will allow churches to avoid property taxes on vacant lots that could eventually be turned into worship centers.

But critics say the proposed expansion could result in tax fraud because it would allow any religious organization to claim exemptions on property not used for worship.

The measure would remove worship as the central criteria for religious groups qualifying for property-tax exemptions. Under the expansion, religious associations or institutions would be protected from property taxes so long as the property isn't used for profit. Student dormitories, staff housing and shelters would be spared from taxation.

Critics say the measure would allow groups posing as religious organizations to expand their for-profit land holdings on the cheap. Under the measure, any group that calls itself religious could sit on undeveloped lots for years without paying taxes.

http://azstarnet.com/business/local/proposed-law-gives-churches-tax-break/article_dd6f13d0-5ed9-5fa3-8722-316ccb995dc2.html


The Gadfly is not surprised in the least that it is a conservative Republican lawmaker who's flogging this wholly insipid measure to coddle the religionist crowd even more than they already are.

Can anyone coherently explain to The Gadfly how allowing any group who fancies themselves a "religious organization" to avoid paying their fair share of property taxes is not an unconstitutional slap in the face to other non-profit organizations who don't claim a religious charter, yet must pay taxes on their property holdings?

The Gadfly believes that if laws like these are allowed to exist then everyone and their proverbial mother will be organizing small groups and claiming that they are "religious organizations" to avoid paying their fair share of taxes.

The Gadfly has long, long, long advocated for taxing all religious organizations as businesses.  And taxing them fairly.  Religion pulls in big money and they are the only ones not held accountable for demonstrating what they are doing with that money.

TAX RELIGION.  TAX THEM FAIR.  TAX THEM NOW!



----TFG