Assisted by American Atheists, a group of citizens in Alaska have challenged a statute that would provide discriminatory and unconstitutional tax breaks for religious organizations.
In May, the Alaska Legislature passed HB 334. The original bill related only to the deferral of municipal property taxes on residences owned by individuals living below the federal poverty level. An amendment, however, created a special mandatory exemption for religious groups from local taxes. This measure “expanded the tax exemption for religious organizations from the residence of their bishops, pastors, priests, rabbis, ministers or religious orders to also include the residences of educators in private religious or parochial schools, if those residences are owned by religious organizations…”
It also expanded the definition of “minister” to include any person “employed by the religious designated as a ‘minister’ by the Pastor.”
Clyde Baxley, Alaska State Director for American Atheists and the lead plaintiff in the suit said that the measure stems from a move by the Anchorage Baptist Temple to avoid paying taxes on properties it owns that are occupied by school teachers and other non-clerical employees.
“This statute amounts to a ‘shield law’ that specifically benefits churches and other religious groups, and places more financial burden on private citizens, businesses and even secular non-profit organizations,” said Mr. Baxley. “This legislation runs afoul of existing law, including our Alaska and Federal Constitutions.”
For more information, contact:
Joe P. Josephson, Attorney for Plaintiffs
(Josephson & Associates, PC)
907-276-0151
Clyde Baxley, Alaska State Director, American Atheists
907-333-6499
Ellen Johnson, President, American Atheists
908-276-7300
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