Archive

Reports

Religion on welfare: The case for taxing churches in Alachua County

The issues in this 1993 Gainesville Humanist Society special report are still valid today. However, the number of churches and the lost revenue to the county are greater. In addition, in spring of 2010 the county commission voted to exempt churches and non-profits from paying the fire protection assessment.

This investigation found that Alachua County residents provided a $1.8 million property tax subsidy to county-wide religious organizations in 1993. A total of 516 religious properties in the county were tax exempt, and carried a total assessed value of approximately $65 million. The report also analyzed the merits of exempting religious organizations from taxation, and concluded that such an exemption was not only detrimental to the welfare of county residents, but  clearly an unconstitutional endorsement and promotion of religion.                                                                                             

Presentations

National Day of Prayer and the Constitution (March 11, 2011)