MISSION, KANSAS:
The government can tax your life and can tax your death, but they’re not supposed to tax your church.
And that’s exactly what he said is happening in Mission.
“The city of Mission is taxing churches,” he said. “And that’s clearly unconstitutional.”
In August, the small town just north of Kansas City passed the so-called “driveway tax,” a controversial charge, in addition to property taxes, for residents and businesses based on the number of times their driveway is used.
A big box store like Target can pay over $60,000 annually, while residents pay a flat rate of $72 dollars a year.
The purpose of the “Transportation Utility Fee” is to raise money for public works projects in Mission like street construction and road repair.
It’s unpopular among residents, some of whom have put up protest signs on their yards.
But it’s particularly controversial because the town has included churches in the program.
The Baptist church for instance has to pay 900 dollars a year, while the more popular St. Pius is charged $1700 a year.
Stanley, who is an attorney for the Alliance Defense Fund, a national organization that protects religious rights, is now representing the two churches in a lawsuit against Mission.
He calls the revenue program “a tax on church attendance.”
“The city of mission is taxing churches based on the number of people that come in and out of their driveway, the number of people that come to church,” he said.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/03/10/ta ... z1GJoPQkcb
Now, the Constitution clearly dictates a separation of church and state. I think that this is a violation of the Constitution. Its only generating a few thousand dollars a year, so all it does is discourage church attendance and violate people's rights. I have a few questions for NS:
Is it Constitutionally acceptable for the city of Mission, Kansas to tax churches?
Is it morally acceptable for the city of Mission, Kansas to tax churches?
Should the federal or state government do something about this?
AND Why?
Yes.