Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Virginians vote to allow churches to incorporate
Voters also want localities to expand tax incentives to revitalize blighted neighborhoods.
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From The Roanoke Times
Virginia voters on Tuesday approved state constitutional amendments that will allow churches to incorporate and allow localities to expand tax incentives to revitalize blighted neighborhoods.
The passage of Ballot Question No. 2 deletes a state constitutional provision that has prevented churches from getting corporate charters. A U.S. District Court judge ruled in 2002 that the state prohibition violates the First Amendment protection of free exercise of religion, deciding a lawsuit in favor of the Rev. Jerry Falwell and his Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg. Since the ruling, about 300 churches have incorporated.
The passage of Ballot Question No. 3 will allow localities to grant partial real estate tax exemptions for new structures on property designated as conservation, redevelopment or rehabilitation areas. Existing law now limits such exemptions to renovation, expansion or reconstruction of buildings. Supporters of the amendment, including Roanoke and other older Virginia cities, argue that a broader application of the tax break would encourage new development in targeted areas. State Sen. John Edwards, D-Roanoke, sponsored the Senate version of the amendment.
-- Michael Sluss
