AZ legislature considers lowering property tax for religious groups

Stirs controversy over relationship between church and state

Posted: Wednesday, June 5, 2013 1:00 am
Associated Press

PHOENIX — A little religion could soon go a long way in avoiding unpopular government mandates.

The Arizona Senate passed a trio of bills Wednesday that seek to lower property taxes for religious institutions and make it easier for some people to sue over the First Amendment, much to the chagrin of civil liberties and secular groups who claim Arizona lawmakers are violating the U.S. Constitution by favoring the faithful over non-believers.

The Republican majority passed the bills amid opposition from Democratic lawmakers and with little debate. The legislation was backed by the powerful Center for Arizona Policy, which wields significant influence over conservative lawmakers in the Legislature.

Opponents of the measures argue religious institutions shouldn’t receive special privileges not afforded to all Arizonans. They claim the bills seek to legalize discrimination and to stall the ongoing battle to extend equal rights to gay and secular communities.

http://www.trivalleycentral.com/coolidge_examiner/religion/az-legislature-considers-lowering-property-tax-for-religious-groups/article_73062b7a-cd66-11e2-9511-001a4bcf887a.html