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May 05, 2006

Jeb Bush Considering Bible-Based Tax Exemption

A Christian theme park/museum in Florida has spent five years arguing with its County Property Tax Appraiser over whether or not it ought to be required to pay property taxes. The Appraiser says The Holy Land Experience owes more than $1 million in back taxes.

Under Florida law, religious institutions, charities and cultural organizations are not required to pay property taxes, but all other nonprofit organizations are. The theme park/museum is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization and is exempt from federal income taxes. Tickets are approximately $30, with $5 for parking, and the park accepts donations. In 2004, it reported $8.8 million in income and more than $9 million in expenses, so it clearly isn't profitable.

Supporters in the state Legislature have managed to pass legislation (and Governor Jeb Bush is now pondering whether to sign it) that would create a special exemption that would apply only to The Holy Land Experience.

The bills … create a tax exemption for property owned by nonprofit organizations that is used to "exhibit, illustrate and interpret biblical manuscripts, codices, stone tablets or other biblical archives," provides live or recorded demonstrations of biblical history or worship, or exhibits times and places of biblical significance.

You got it – an exemption for Bible-based exhibits.

Apparently, some Senators did not know when they voted for the exemption that it was for a religious theme park.

Sen. Steve Geller, who is Jewish, said he was told that the theme park was a museum and non-religious. He voted for the bill in a Senate committee where it passed unanimously with no discussion. …"I'm irritated and upset," Geller, D-Hallandale Beach, said when told about the park's evangelical thrust. He said the staff analysis accompanying the bill is misleading because it does not include any information about the park's Christian nature. "It completely is not what was represented to us," Geller said. "Apparently somebody has lied to us and I intend to find out whom."

The County Appraiser is not pleased.

While I agree the Holy Land Experience has a religious theme, it is not a religious use -- it is a business. This theme park has several large venues that may need city medical, fire or police emergency services. Those services have a cost attached to them that we all pay in property taxes. But not the Holy Land Experience, because they will be exempt from property taxes.

It may be frustrating to see this sort of special treatment, but as usual, everything can provide at least some opportunity for a good chuckle. Take, for example, this visitor's review of the "museum":

This place is mostly for old people only that think they are going to die tomorrow.

Posted by Becky at May 5, 2006 03:00 PM

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