Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

marmar

(77,081 posts)
Fri Jul 10, 2015, 09:33 AM Jul 2015

Bible ministry building Noah's ark tells judge Kentucky can't take away tourism tax incentive



FRANKFORT, Ky. — Lawyers for a Christian ministry building a Noah's ark theme park said Wednesday that Kentucky officials violated First Amendment religious protections when they denied the project a tax incentive worth millions.

Answers in Genesis, developer of the 510-foot wooden ark in central Kentucky, is suing to get back into the tourism incentive program, which could be worth around $18 million over 10 years.

The group's lawyers argued Wednesday in federal court in Frankfort that they should not face different treatment for the incentive just because the attraction would have religious themes.

Tourism officials "took this reflexive, kind of allergic reaction to religion" when it kicked the ark project out of the tax incentive program in December, said Mike Johnson, a lawyer for Answers in Genesis. The incentive would rebate a portion of the sales tax taken in by the Ark Encounter theme park after it opens. ...............(more)

http://www.startribune.com/noah-s-ark-developer-seeking-lost-kentucky-tax-incentive/311258621/




10 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Bible ministry building Noah's ark tells judge Kentucky can't take away tourism tax incentive (Original Post) marmar Jul 2015 OP
This has got to be Ken Ham... SidDithers Jul 2015 #1
The one and only. marmar Jul 2015 #2
I've been searching used book stores, and ABEbooks for a copy of Dinosaurs of Eden... SidDithers Jul 2015 #3
If they ever get it back.. annabanana Jul 2015 #4
I like how they're essentially lying about the reason TlalocW Jul 2015 #5
Sounds like bad legislation. LuvNewcastle Jul 2015 #6
Nope, see comment #5. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Jul 2015 #9
I posted about this idiot and his plans, months ago packman Jul 2015 #7
Aww, that money grubbing grifter Ken Ham has a $ad. procon Jul 2015 #8
They are working hard to tap another tax free revenue stream! It's all about $$$$$'s and tax evasion RKP5637 Jul 2015 #10

SidDithers

(44,228 posts)
3. I've been searching used book stores, and ABEbooks for a copy of Dinosaurs of Eden...
Fri Jul 10, 2015, 09:41 AM
Jul 2015

I think it would be a great keepsake.



Sid

annabanana

(52,791 posts)
4. If they ever get it back..
Fri Jul 10, 2015, 09:44 AM
Jul 2015

There is a Flying Spaghetti Monster theme park just waiting to be built that should SURELY qualify!

TlalocW

(15,383 posts)
5. I like how they're essentially lying about the reason
Fri Jul 10, 2015, 09:47 AM
Jul 2015

It's not because the attraction would have religious themes; it's because they will only hire people who agree with them on their interpretation of the Bible, the world being 6000 years old, etc. If you're a church, that's fine, but they're not, and they want public tax money to discriminate.

TlalocW

LuvNewcastle

(16,846 posts)
6. Sounds like bad legislation.
Fri Jul 10, 2015, 09:54 AM
Jul 2015

From what they say about the law, this group does have a right to the incentive. Good legislators would have seen this coming, or maybe they did see it coming and did it on purpose.

Erich Bloodaxe BSN

(14,733 posts)
9. Nope, see comment #5.
Fri Jul 10, 2015, 10:17 AM
Jul 2015

The real reason they got the boot was they planned not to hire non-Christians, not because the attraction was religious in nature.

 

packman

(16,296 posts)
7. I posted about this idiot and his plans, months ago
Fri Jul 10, 2015, 10:16 AM
Jul 2015

and the reason, I believe I read, for the Ky. refusal for funding is Ham's insistence that only "Christians" (whatever that means) would be employed in the making of the Ark, the park, and as employees. At that point, Ky. told him to forget about receiving any funding from them.

procon

(15,805 posts)
8. Aww, that money grubbing grifter Ken Ham has a $ad.
Fri Jul 10, 2015, 10:17 AM
Jul 2015

No taxpayer money for that con man, but like all hucksters and snake oil salesmen, he'll still find ways to rip off the gullible rubes.


"The state had initially approved the incentive and even celebrated the theme park proposal a few years ago. But state authorities reversed course last year after seeing statements from website postings and investor meetings that indicated the park would "be an extension of (Answers in Genesis') ministry."

RKP5637

(67,109 posts)
10. They are working hard to tap another tax free revenue stream! It's all about $$$$$'s and tax evasion
Fri Jul 10, 2015, 10:19 AM
Jul 2015
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Bible ministry building N...