|
Post by Ralph on Dec 28, 2009 16:15:47 GMT -5
Having worked for a local NFP I can vouch for the end of the year frenzy! What a joke!
No, it couldn't be any worse if we replaced everyone with new blood.
|
|
|
Post by Swimmy on Dec 29, 2009 7:16:33 GMT -5
That's another huge flaw in our government, "use it or lose it" philosophy. In the real world, businesses would save the un-spent monies and use it for either a rainy day or to put toward next year's budget. And if all agencies receiving tax monies have to spend it or lose it, then obviously we are taxed wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy to much!
|
|
|
Post by Swimmy on Dec 29, 2009 7:17:59 GMT -5
I have a teacher friend who is funded through some special ed grant. His classroom is the most high tech in the school. Not because he needs or uses the gadgets, but because if he didn't spend the money, he would lose it and run the risk of losing the grant altogether.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2009 8:10:34 GMT -5
I agree with Swimmy. If a church members want a big and luxurious building to worship in, and it is a major drain on their budget to maintain such a resource, let THEM pay for it. Their church takes up a space on the planet that could be producing property tax revenue if not for the exempt status. Tax them for the full assessed value of the property and let them figure out how they are going to raise the money, just like any other "business", and that is what many churches have become. Some churches have gotten to a point where they need a CEO instead of a pastor. Clipper, here's a good example. A local Baptist church just bought the old Meislin's building in Whitesboro because they "needed to expand". At a cost of $775,000.00. Hey, that's great. But we now have a tax exempt property. The way I look at it is if they can afford to shell out 775 grand to buy a 50,000 sq. ft. building than they can afford to pay taxes or some kind of user fee for fire & police protection. I'm sick & tired of taking care of tax exempt outfits like the above with my tax dollars so folks can worship in spacious accomodations. Don't get me wrong, I'm not against anyone practising their religion. But, I'm fed up with paying for someone else's religious persuasion.
|
|
|
Post by gearofzanzibar on Dec 29, 2009 9:10:30 GMT -5
I think any examination of the area's tax maps would show that churches are a minuscule part of the tax-free property problem.
That said, I'm all for moving to a direct fee-based system. It will never happen, since the Usual Suspects rely on having non-profit positions as a fallback for their political careers, but at least the tax burden would be spread a little more fairly.
|
|
|
Post by Ralph on Dec 29, 2009 14:54:18 GMT -5
This has been looked at many different times on a City-wide scale here. Unfortunately as Gear pointed out. Too many folks are afraid of the repercussions in doing so…..for whatever reason.
They use all the City services the same as anyone else and pay nada for them.
|
|
|
Post by dgriffin on Dec 29, 2009 19:10:43 GMT -5
I think any examination of the area's tax maps would show that churches are a minuscule part of the tax-free property problem.That said, I'm all for moving to a direct fee-based system. It will never happen, since the Usual Suspects rely on having non-profit positions as a fallback for their political careers, but at least the tax burden would be spread a little more fairly. Although not about New York State, I found the following an interesting presentation of the problem. Free New Jersey:The Burden of Property Tax Exemptions www.njpp.org/rpt_freenj.htmlIf you can read it, the following is also worthwhile: Billions in property's tax exempt (I didn't do the English) news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1310&dat=19780116&id=tsYUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6OEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7068,4151914
|
|
|
Post by snickers on Jan 9, 2010 21:31:00 GMT -5
Hmmmm....... I'm an ordained member of the clergy, and I have a room devoted to meditation in my home. Wonder if I can be tax exempt too? ;D The bathroom doesn't count, Ralph. Try more fiber in your diet.
|
|